Every Day Zen for Everyone
A tree is only as strong as the roots, our Sangha, our community…
What is Great Tree Sangha? The community of those who support, practice and work together at Great Tree. Sangha activities include mindful work-practice, study, support for Great Tree and social gatherings. There are many ways to join hearts and hands to explore every-day zen at Great Tree. While Great Tree supports practice and residency for women, we invite everyone to participate, adults and children welcome. We do have resident pets, and we ask you to let us know if you plan to bring your companion with you.
Call and leave a clear message (we check the answering machine daily), or email to info[at]greattreetemple.org
About Work -Practice -Service Opportunities throughout the Year
All practice events and residency include an element of mindful work (samu) and service as an integral part of practice in a community setting, usually conducted in silence as much as possible. It is also a path toward making a real contribution to sustaining Great Tree, creating a bridge to future growth. Great Tree has no full-time staff and most everyday work is carried out as service by volunteers, and some work-practice is part of sesshins and retreats.
You will see work days scheduled from time to time throughout the year. Work days may mean building upkeep and repairs, garden, yard, road work, cleaning and organizing spaces to provide welcoming shared space for everyone, taking care of Great Tree. If you have experience with leadership in these areas, we welcome help with coordinating projects, scheduling and supervising volunteers, or as a board member or committee member.
Volunteers may elect to continue on a specific project on the grounds, the building, kitchen, office work, or mailings throughout the year. It may be as simple as taking care of our house-plants, preparing a meal or arranging flowers for the zendo. Please don’t hesitate to step up and ask!
At the core of work-practice, the elements that make it part of practice, are:
- Conscious attention and care
- Commitment to service
- Complete accountability
- Compassionate communication
- Clarity of purpose and safety for all
As always, we welcome everyone!
Schedule of Upcoming Programs
Sangha Activities
Jun 19 2013 - : Sunday Sangha 10:30 - 11:30am, informal tea follows
Jul 21 2013 - : Sunday Sangha
Jul 28 2013 - : Family Meditation - Sangha Picnic The Ledges Park, Riverside Dr.
Sep 15 2013 - : Sunday Sangha 9:00am yoga/10:30 - 11:30am zazen & discussion, informal tea til noon.
Sep 25 2013 - : Fall PracticePeriod Begins
Dec 31 2013 - : Ring in the New Year - 108 Bells Note: Begins at 7pm . Refreshments. Join us by the fire to ring in the New Year with 108 Bells.
Contact us here – with your interests or questions or to RSVP.
Weekly – Monthly Open to all, practice and study
Special Events Annual celebrations, special ceremonies, ordination
Schedule of Work Days 2013
- 9:30am – 4pm RSVP
- Flexible. Come when you wish, leave when you need to.
- Lunch, beverages available.
- Volunteer to cook and learn more about vegan/vegetarian cooking
Work- Service Days
Jun 15 2013 - : Community Work-Service Day
Jul 21 2013 - : Community Work-Service Day
Sep 15 2013 - : Community Service Day
Oct 20 2013 - : Community Work-Service Day
Nov 16 2013 - : Community Work-Service Day
Dec 31 2013 - : New Year's Temple Cleaning 3 - 5pm
Annual Temple & Zendo cleaning to prepare for New Year
Plan to attend? Want to help? Please call 828-645-2085, leave a message and we will get in touch.