Hi, everybody.
Margaret and I are at the point where we would like to begin formalizing the relationship between Tall Grass Zen and the Kwan Um School of Zen. This stems primarily from our commitment to the practice and the school. Our secondary motive is more practical: when we formalize, the school will return fifty percent of our dues money. This money will help offset some of the costs of running retreats and the prison dharma work. More importantly, it will help us to grow, to make the practice available to more people in the Manhattan area.
The school recommends that a group have four to five dues paying members of the Kwan Um School before requesting recognition. We have three members already: Christina, Margaret, and Dick. Richard Brown will join when we formalize. Others (as many as three) have indicated that they would like to join.
We’ve posted the complete guidelines to this blog: scroll down to read them.
We would like to emphasize that no one is being asked to join the school. Joining the school is NEVER a requirement for coming to practice or sitting retreats. In most respects, formalizing our relationship to the school will change nothing.
We would like to hear from you! Are you interested in formalizing? Are you interested in joining the school? Will you run in the opposite direction if we take this step? Please feel free to use this blog to share your thoughts and feelings. Or email us at tallgrasszen@yahoo.com or call us or talk to us after practice.
Yours in the dharma,
Christina & Margaret
1 comment:
I'm all for it, but evidently you already know that. Although joining the KUSZ requires a bit more expense (insurance), dues should pay for that and furnish extra funds for publicity, mats & cushions, chanting books and other expenses the organization would have whether or not we it is a member of the school. I'll be interested to hear (see) what other folks have to say about it.
Richard
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