Winter Newsletter

Recent Events

Jukai Group

December Rakusu Sewing: Sensei Rebecca and Sensei Martine Taikai (Joyful Mind Zen Community) hosted a small workshop for rakusu sewing. Students from both groups attended and took up this practice. It was good to meet and practice together - please contact Sensei Rebecca about the next meeting.

Students sewing their rakusus are preparing for the annual Jukai ceremony this coming fall. If you are sitting with us and would like to study and take up the the Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts this year, please talk to Sensei Rebecca or Sensei Bob by the end of February.

January Zazenkai

We held our first Zazenkai of 2025 on a bright and snowy Saturday. It was good to sit together - some new, some regular, some returning. Feburary Zazenkai will be on Feb 8, hopefully with slightly less chilly weather.

Last Wednesday discussions are resuming

Our Wednesday sitting group has decided to resume replacing the third sit each month with a discussion. Last year we used koans from The Book of Householder Koans: Waking Up in the Land of Attachments. This year we're trying a more open format, with the topic chosen by volunteer discussion leaders. If you're a Wednesday sitter, let one of our teachers or practice leaders know if you'd like to lead a discussion. Be sure you're on the Wednesday-Zazen mailing list for updates in case there is a reading. Email information@oneheartsangha.org to be added.

Here,

I’m here—

The snow falling

-Kobayashi Issa (1763-1828)

Updates

To join our mailing list and receive periodic newsletters, announcements, and updates, please request to join our OHS-News Google Group.

December Council (Board) Meeting

The OHS Council voted unanimously to continue our lease at the Washington Ethical Society for Wednesday evenings and one Saturday a month. We are waiting to hear back from WES to confirm which Saturdays will be available for Zazenkai.

The council did not approve a January sesshin because we lost money in our 2024 sesshins. Wellspring has a minimum cost and we have not been having enough attendees to be able to meet the minimum. We will be looking into other options for multi-day retreats such as different locations or working with other Zen communities to increase attendance.

The Council formed a nominating committee for officers and the 2025 group of council members.

A motion to amend the bylaws to allow the Council to override term limits was approved. The revised bylaws will be drafted this year.

Upcoming Events

We've added more information to the website to make it easier to keep up with sangha events. You can bookmark our website event page, subscribe to our Google Calendar, or check the bottom of the homepage for upcoming events. All event registrations are online.

February 8: Zazenkai

Arrive at 8:40 AM to be settled in for first bell at 9AM.

Monday Feb 3: One Heart Sangha Annual Council (Board) Meeting

The next meeting of the One Heart Sangha Council (Board) will be Monday, February 3 at 6:30 PM. Meetings are held remotely and are open to the public. The Council will vote on the 2025 officers and incoming board members and present the 2024 financial report.

February 11 - March 4: Mini-Agno

We are offering a 4-week Mini Ango. The Mini Ango provides a supportive structure to commit to an additional level of practice for a short and specific period of time. The primary purpose is to deepen your zazen practice, renew your commitment to the Dharma, and if you like, make a commitment to other practices that can help make positive changes in your life.

March 7-10, 2025: Joyful Mind Zen Community Sesshin

JMZC is holding their Peach Blossoms in Spring Sesshin at the beautiful Dayspring Silent Retreat Center in Germantown Maryland. Visit their website for online registration. Deposits are due by February 10.

Sunday, 31 May, 2025: Transmission Ceremony (Denbo) at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, MD

Bruce SuiHo Lindsay and Joshua KuHai Radice will receive transmission from Robert JinGen Ertman to be authorized to teach in the White Plum Asanga. Bruce will remain with One Heart Sangha as a new teacher, and Josh has started Harbor Light Zendo in Annapolis, MD.

September 18-21, 2025: Street Retreat Street Retreat Washington D.C.

Join us on the streets of Washington, D.C., for our September Street Retreat, led by Joshin Byrnes, Guiding Teacher, Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community, and Bob Ertman, Guiding Teacher, Silver Spring Zendo/One Heart Sangha. Click here for more information and registration information.

Opportunities for Zazen

We offer Wednesday Zazen, Monthly Zazenkai, and special events. See our Zen Practice Schedule page for more details.

Additional Events and Opportunities to Practice

Feb 14-16: CALLIGRAPHY: Heart of the Brush (Online February, 2025)

Sensei Kaz Tanahashi will lead a two day hybrid in-person and oline workshop This is the first time the class has been offered online. The course will begin by exploring Chinese calligraphy masterpeces, and then offer an opportunity to exeriment with brushwork. Learn more.

Recordings will be made available to registered participants to watch later.

Affiliated Sanghas and Zen Groups

Please visit our Other Sanghas and Groups web page for a list of affiliated sanghas and other practice activites in the DMV area.

Support One Heart Sangha

Your tax-deductible contributions enable our Sangha to provide spaces for sitting zazen, offer retreat scholarships, and cover other operating expenses. PayPal now supports recurring donations. Please consider a monthly donation of $25 to support the Sangha on an ongoing basis.

Donate at PayPal

In peace, Sensei Bob JinGen Ertman and Sensei Rebecca MuSeiDo Hawes, Guiding Teachers, One Heart Sangha

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