Hanamatsuri Sesshin 2015

On March 31st – April 4th we held our five-day Hanamatsuri retreat (Buddha’s birthday). We had some fine folks joining us for these five days of practice including Seido Clark, Joyce Gadiot, Myoren Yasukawa, Gento Krieger, Genshin Anderson, Shinkai Navarre, Craig Paup, Jodo Candy, Lisa Hubler as full-time and Maggie Keen, Susan Crosier Julianna Raye,

On Saturday, March 29th, we held a memorial service for Steve Sanfield, a longtime sangha member and dear friend. Paul Humphreys gave a moving eulogy, followed by several others. Steve liked to say that he was Roshi’s “first and worst” student, but only the first part of that statement is true.    

We spent the morning with Joseph Van De Mortel and his Cerritos College religion & philosophy students. (Hopefully our discussion of the dharma was more clear than this photo!)

Sasaki Roshi moved to this house in Gardena in 1962. Today, with the help of Craig Paup, Jim Davis, and Hiro, our contractor, the house is being fixed up. Thank you for your tremendous contribution.

Dear Friends, It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that Roshi’s great friend Steve Sanfield passed away at home on morning of Wednesday, January 28th, 2015 at the age of 77. We will update you soon with Memorial Service arrangements. Gassho,Rinzai-ji Staff & Board of Directors Steve Sanfield’s Obituary here

We had two new students, Seido Osho, Oren as well as Jim Davis from 1974 practicing with Roshi in Vancouver, Canada and Mt.Baldy Seichu visited us for the weekend.

We concluded our Rinzai-ki Sesshin Retreat this past Saturday. A small group of dedicated practitioners sat, ate, walked, chanted and practiced together for five days. A deep bow of thanks to Craig Paup, Oren, Gento, Myoren, Pierre Jauretche, and Cynthia Seby. On Saturday we honored Rinzai Gigen Zenji, the founder of our branch of Zen,

Rohatsu Zazenkai took place at Rinzai-ji from Thursday, December 18th to midnight on Saturday, December 20th, 2014. The following Sunday morning was Jodo-e, Buddha’s enlightenment day.