https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpZG15vFRF8&feature=youtu.be
Blue Mountain Zendo’s 13th Annual Obon Celebration
Obon, at Blue Mountain Zendo, is Saturday August 17 2013 from 6-9:30 pm and we are preparing for a wondrous evening of family and celebration. Obon is an opportunity to take a backward step and celebrate life with our family and friends, bo…th living and deceased. With the rush of our daily lives, and our habitual pursuits, we loose our connection and grounding with those whose who have given our lives its shape. There appears to be a forward only direction when perceiving time in the west, and what is viewed as in the past, is forgotten and given little significance other than a passing cue and ensuing memory. Time is not so linear, within the present is both the past and future working within a beautiful synergy to create what is THIS. They reside within one another, and although we separate them, and draw clear lines between them, this is of no significance to anything but, ourselves. The mind can resurrect worlds of ash and summon things to come at the turning of word or the sway of a willow. During Obon we suspend linear time and invite the spirits to once again walk within our world and partake of food and drink through our presence. We light the temple bonfire and call their names 
to help the spirits find us. We also offer those stray spirits who have no one to call their names rice and water to honor and care for them. Our ancestors then visit with us and enjoy the food, drink and music that is offered in their honor. Through us, they once again return and remind us of their presence; in our lives, guiding our hand, in every exhalation and inhalation they sit in shadow, hidden by our linear mind. At the close of Obon, it is time for the spirits to return to their place, and they are sent off with silence and deep gratitude. In their rightful place, our ancestors are now content and live on as a part of us, our families and our lives.Rohatsu Sesshin January 17-22 2014
Genjo Marinello Oshō began his Zen training in 1975 and was ordained as a novice monk, in 1980. From 1981-1982 he trained at Ryutaku-ji in Japan with Sochu Rōshi and Soen Nakagawa Rōshi. Marinello later continued his training with Eido Shimano Rōshi, abbot of Dai Bosatsu Monastery. On May 21, 2008, Marinello received dharma transmission from Eido Shimano Rōshi, in a ceremony also involving his former teacher Takabayashi. Marinello is a licensed psychotherapist, a member of the interfaith organization Spiritual Directors International, and of the American Zen Teachers Association.
Brief History Of Buddhism Part 1-2
New Video – “Impairment and Isolation” Series
An honest and sometimes humorous Zen Exploration of the social influence and behaviors which attempt to define, stereotype and stigmatize men and women with impairments or disabilities.
Part 1 (Part 2 to be released 4-29-13)
Blue Mountain Zendo Winter Sesshin December 14-21 2012
“Sesshin”, literally “to collect the mind”, is the Zen Buddhist seclusion or intensive, consisting of seven days of silent meditative practice, Dharma talks (sermons) and a private interview twice a day with Rev. Joriki Baker, a Zen monk. During Sesshin, the student concentrates on nothing but collecting the scattered shards of the mind so that they can realize/remember their original unity with the universe from which they ordinarily feel separated from. This experience of unity is just the beginning of true Zen Practice, however, many settle for just this experience. The Zen rabbit hole is infinitely deeper and ever more amazing than any concept or philosophy we could ever manifest or filter through. For centuries, philosophy and religion have tried to evoke this awakened state but, with with transitory results at best. This awakening is beyond word and letter and requires an honest and inward investigation which helps to uncover and manifest our inner nature which is the focal catalyst that initiates the restorative process required to take our rightful place as Buddhas.
Sesshin is the core of all Zen Buddhist Practice. While other traditions tend to be distracted by the playful words left by the Buddhas of the past, Zen concerns itself with the engagement, validation, and embodiment of such wisdom. In other words, some traditions study the path of Ancient Buddhas while others walk their own path using the advice of Ancient Buddhas as encouragement. Sesshin is the time for the inward exploration of our essential self and ultimately the relinquishment of even that. Sesshin is a time for women and men to come together and support each other in this most noble of quests. As a sangha, in sesshin, we experience together our struggles, our wonders, our tears, and our joy which arise during our practice time together. Sesshin at Blue Mountain Zendo includes lodging, meditation instruction, koan practice, samu practice, chanting practice, vegetarian meals, daily woodland walking meditations and daily private interviews.
FMI Call: 610-760-3033 or Jisha@BlueMountainZendo.org
WWW.BlueMountainZendo.org
* In memory of Taipo Joe McIntyre, Zenji
Fudo Myo-o Unveil Sept. 14 2012
Sept. 14 2012 the Blue Mountain Zendo Sangha will meet at the Banana Factory in Bethlehem at 7:00pm to witness the unveil of our Fudo Myoo drawing completed by artisan Arturo. The gallery is on the second floor and all are invited to come.
https://www.artsquest.org/directions/
Mini Retreat October 27-28 2012
There will be an overnight retreat on October 27-28 2012 at the temple in Allentown. The retreat will start Saturday at 7pm and end at 8pm on Sunday. The retreat is all inclusive and the cost is $60.00. This is a great way to experience extended periods of Zen Practice without the week long commitment of sesshin. Our mini retreats are based upon the standard monastic sesshin schedule. Please call for more information 1-484-268-0724 or email the Jisha at Jisha@BlueMountainZendo.org.
Obon Reminder August 18 2012
Obon is this Saturday August 18 2012 and we are preparing for a wondrous evening of family and fun. Obon is an opportunity to celebrate our family and friends both living and deceased. With the rush of daily life and the pursuit of the grasping and consuming self we loose our connection and grounding with those whose who have given our lives its shape. There appears to be a forward only
direction when perceiving time in the west, and what is viewed as in the past, is forgotten and given little significance other than a passing cue and ensuing memory. Time is not so linear, within the present is both the past and future working within a beautiful synergy to create what is now. They reside in one another, and although we separate them, and draw clear lines between them, this is of no significance to anything but, ourselves. The mind can resurrect worlds of ash and summon things to come at the turning of word or the sway of a willow. During Obon we suspend linear time and invite the spirits to once again walk within our world and partake of food and drink through our being. We light the bonfire and call their names to help the spirits find us. We also offer those stray spirits who have no one to call their names rice and water to honor and feed them. Our ancestors then visit with us and enjoy the food, drink and music that is offered in their honor. Through us, they once again return and remind us of their presence; in our lives, guiding our hand, in every exhalation and inhalation they sit in shadow, hidden by our linear mind. At the close of Obon, it is time for the spirits to return to their place and they are sent off with silence and deep gratitude. In their rightful place, our ancestors are now content and live on as a part of us, our family and our lives.
Tibetan Medicine Workshop/Consultations August 12 2012 4-8pm
Dr. Namgyal Tsering will be visiting Blue Mountain Zendo to offer an introduction to Tibetan Medicine lecture followed by private consultations. Dr. Namgyal Tsering was the personal physician for HH The Dalai Lama for over ten years and graduated from the Tibetan Medical & Astro-Institute at Dharasala India in 1978. Dr. Tsering went on to serve the Tibetan Medicine Institute for over 30 years and has traveled extensively lecturing on Tibetan medicine and consulting with various organizations.
Tibetan Medicine is a very ancient medical system based on Buddhist philosophy and psychology. It explains that everything existing or non-existing in the world derives from the mind and the five elements. The mind is considered to be the base because all existences and moments depend on its movements; it is the creator of every external and internal phenomena.
The mind and the five elements manifest themselves in the form of energy and gross materials into three aspects: body, energy and mind, which, in the human body, are reflected in the form of three humors or energies called Wind (tib: rLung), Bile (mKhrispa, pronunciation: Tripa) and Phlegm (Badken). These humors, or principles, are the quintessence of the energy that constantly flows in the human body and sustains the health with mental awareness. The three principles give positive health when they are in equilibrium and harmony, and bring ill health when the balance between them is lost. This is the central concept of the general theory, etiology, pathology, diagnosis and treatment of the body/mind in Tibetan Medicine. In short, it is through the gradation of the energy of mind, humors and physical constructions that the framework of the theory and practice of Tibetan Medicine is established.