A single sweet persimmon
Just as autumn leaves drop, sweet persimmons come to a magnificently vibrant orange. There is a magical allure to the way they hang from bare branches against an open sky. The persimmon has been a favorite image of Buddhist poets, artists, and teachers since antiquity. The fruit is quite astringent before it is ripe. With a little reverent patience, in time, the vigorous color lays forth a delicious and curious sweetness. Persimmons grab your attention, demand patience, and offer a mysterious gift.
Next year we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Kaitanshiki ceremonies that officially “opened the mountain” of Buddha Eye Temple. With the passing of our founder, Joshin Keira Roshi, earlier this year, we are deeply aware of both impermanence and the way in which an intention can blossom given time and attention. In just 20 years our small meditation group has matured into a fully functioning temple which offers a wide range of practice and learning opportunities, training programs for Buddhist teachers and leaders, and authentic connection and community. The fruit has ripened!
The temple continues to have a well-attended, full schedule of dharma talks, classes, discussion groups, lectures, meditation retreats, festivals, and special ceremonies. This is in addition to our ongoing weekly schedule of meditation, chanting, and opportunities to meet privately with a teacher. In fact, there are more opportunities for study, practice, and fellowship at Buddha Eye than ever before. Our community accomplishes all of this with a budget of just $153,000 a year. Please help us meet this financial need by contributing toward our $56,600 year-end appeal goal. Meeting this goal will allow us to cover the 2023 budget and start 2024 on a firm footing.
While you are welcome to make donations anytime, we encourage you to donate on Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday, this year on November 28th, is a worldwide day of service and philanthropy that is an opportunity to reflect, serve, and contribute. As we have seen in recent years with almost half of our year-end goal being donated on Giving Tuesday, it is clear that receiving donations on Giving Tuesday helps energize the year-end appeal. If you can, please stop by the temple on November 28th to make your donation. There will be a special altar for donations as well as, treats, coffee and good company throughout the morning. Come celebrate and share in the launch of this year’s appeal.
Please stay tuned to the website and weekly digest for updates and let us know if you have any questions or suggestions by talking to us individually or emailing the temple office: office@buddhaeye.org.
With Deep Bows of Gratitude from the Board and Sustainability Team,
Myoan Soderquist
Karuna Neustadt
Zuishin Madrone
Jikie Peterson Issei Weil
Louise Ruhr
Ejo McMullen (Abbot)