Innumerable Labors by Rev. Gene Bush

On Wednesday January 12, I offered a talk for our usual evening program. This included sharing many photos from the buildings and grounds of our temple. It has been striking me lately that truly innumerable labors have gone into, and continue to go into, providing a place for each of us to follow the Buddha Way. On the heels of a priest ordination ceremony, during which the novice priests received lineage and ancestor documents, I have been struck by the generosity of the sangha – throughout time – people who have again and again made great effort for the benefit of a dharma companion in our Soto Zen tradition.

Beginning with memories of Kobun, along with the residents and practitioners of that time, we took a visual tour of the wood, stone and cloth at Warm Jewel Temple. The woods include – fir, hemlock, Monterey pine, cherry, poplar, birch, redwood, oak and pine. While it seems like I have been thinking about the objects, really what I am remembering are the people. Under Katherine’s watchful eye, each individual who constructed, or sewed, or cleaned or grew or made something at the temple, did this with the intent of supporting and encouraging YOUR practice.

Equally innumerable are the many efforts in the less tangible realm – Board members, practice committee, shelter cooking, website development and refinement, expanding and renovating the property and buildings, study program, zendo roles – learning, planning, organizing, discussing and actualizing – so that YOUR practice place is safe and welcoming.

 What is your part to play for this and the next generation?