Winter 2020 News
On 25thJuly we celebrated a memorial for our Dharma sister, Rev. Master Myfanwy McCorry, who recently died unexpectedly. She was the priest at a small temple in southern England, Dragon Bell Buddhist Temple. As Head of the Order, Rev. Master Haryo was the celebrant.
On 1st September Tuesday we observed a 49-day memorial for Wesley Ira Purkey, who was executed 16thJuly at the Federal Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was 68 years old and had been on death row for 17 years. Rev. Master Scholastica had been corresponding with Mr. Purkey for a number of years and was celebrant for the ceremony. A priest from Sanshin Zen Center in Bloomington, Indiana, had visited Ira monthly and was with him in the execution chamber.
On 14th September, Rev. Master Haryo recognized Rev. Margaret Clyde as a new master of the Order. Rev. Margaret was ordained in 1981 by Rev. Master Jiyu. She trained for several years at the Portland Buddhist Priory and currently is the Prior at the monastery. We congratulate Rev. Master Margaret and wish her well in her future practice.
Rev. Masters Margaret & Meiko, masked for pandemic, and friend Mitra
We continue to be closed due to the Covid pandemic, but are following our usual calendar of festival ceremonies, such as Festival for Feeding the Hungry Ghosts (Segaki)—see photos. We are finding new and varied ways of offering the Dharma online, both through recorded videos, but also Zoom talks and discussions. The discussions sometimes bring in more than 65 people, about twice the number who would usually be able to attend events and retreats in person. We look forward to the day when we can reopen and share the Dharma in person with our lay friends.
Segaki banners for Buddhas of the Dead
Segaki altar food for hungry ghosts