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On May 28th at 1 O’Clock friends and family gathered at Northern Light for the Zen Center’s very first Precepts Ceremony. There were 3 preceptees taking 5 precepts and 1 person formally becoming a Dharma Teacher. It was an exciting day.

In the past, all ceremonies like precepts and such were done at the main zen center for the region. In the case of Maine and the Americas that would be Providence Zen Center. Those were always great ceremonies and a wonderful time for the larger Sangha to gather and see old friends and Teachers! Since COVID has been upon us this has cause the School to reconsider how we do ceremonies such as these. There are many reasons that we won’t list here but suffice it to say this led us to this special time.

During our ceremony, Kait Pressey, Jake Worth, and Edie Clemente took the 5 precepts, were given their Dharma Names, and got their robes and kasas. Jay Seiler formally received his bowls and became a Dharma Teacher. It was a very special time. Terry Cronin, JDPSN, and Bill Robitzek Senior Dharma Teacher led the ceremony as Preceptors.

Refreshments were served afterward and folks gathered to mingle and chat with one another. Wonderful together action. Thank you to all who attended in person and on zoom.

(originally posted March 16th 2020)

Dear Friends,

How are you? In response to the risks of COVID-19 transmission, Northern Light Zen Center will be suspending all programs, effective immediately. We expect this suspension to last four-six weeks, possibly longer.

In making this decision, our Zen center joins many other centers around the country to take steps important to the safety of the sangha. Beginning today, the suspension affects the following programs: – Wednesday evening practices – last Saturday extended practice – if further extended, the one day retreat in April.

During this suspension, we encourage you to practice meditation regularly. Terry PSN will continue to offer interviews by appointment, through Zoom or by phone, in which you can discuss practice, daily life and also do kong-ans. Please contact him at tcronin1956@gmail.com if you would like to schedule time.

We will also attempt to keep in regular contact with readings, quotes and information. If anyone has any suggestions in this regard, please contact us. Please also let the sangha know if you are ill so we can give whatever support is possible. We have always sought to make the Zen center a safe place for practice and self-investigation, and it never occurred to us that public health concerns would enter into this. But here we are and we must follow the best available recommendations. Thank you for your support.

In the Dharma, Bill

Due to the holiday and the likelihood of people with family etc, practice for New Years day is canceled. See you on the 8th!

On the 28th of December 2019 12 of us came together and sat a Northern Light Zen Center one day retreat. We hold these one day retreats on every even numbered month of the year. This month we had a nice large group. Strong practice and good teaching. Thank you to everyone and happy new year!

Due to the Memorial Day weekend and many conflicting schedules, the extended practice normally scheduled for this Saturday has been cancelled. Please come to practice on Wednesday nights! And mark your calendars, there is a retreat on June 29. Come join us for a day of meditation.

Northern Light Zen Center had it’s alternating month one day retreat on the 23rd of February. It was a well attended and lovely day. Good practice was had by all. This month, March, we have an extended practice on the 30th. Please join us for our next one-day retreat on April 27. Mark your calendars!

Just before the new year started, the Northern Light Zen Center had a one day retreat. Ten of us got together and sat for a day of strong practice. We would love for folks to join us! Check out our schedule for the next one.

Greetings!

Due to the fact that it is a holiday formal Practice at NLZC is canceled.  Please partake of solo practice!  Enjoy some watermelon and watch some fireworks.  🙂

Have a Happy Holiday and may the fourth be with you!

Buddha, the Life of Siddartha

I have been watching this series on netflix.  It is an Indian series and it is in hindi, so it is subtitled for english audiences.  But it is a very entertaining series about the life of Siddartha Gautam, who as we know, becomes The Buddha. It is called Buddha, The Story of Siddartha. It has all the overacting and melodrama that would expect in a telenovela style drama, but there is something about it that is fascinating.  I am very impressed with how, in my opinion anyway, the producers of this drama appear to get the Buddha’s message right. (Siddartha achieves enlightenment in episodes 33 and 34, FYI!) With the exception of a few things, the production value is actually quite good also.  Very well done series I would encourage anyone to check out.

 

 

Due to the impending storm and the possibility of very adverse road conditions we are cancelling tonights practice.  As is our usual strategy, when there is a parking ban in Topsham then practice is canceled.  BUT  be there next Wednesday as that is interview night!  See you then!  Same Zen Time, same Zen Channel!