Dear Sangha,

Rain drenches the bare trees, mist covers the mountain.   Well here
in Westhampton we call these hills, mountains.
What are your mountains?

As we enter the time of Thanks and Giving, I realize how grateful I
am for this practice, of the ability it offers me to stay present
with whatever arises, and for the sangha, the community that
practices and holds the space for me and each of us to practice,
whether it is in the zendo or in bed.

Take a moment to remember the place that Zen on Main occupies in your
heart and consider a year end donation.

Events:

Sunday, Nov. 22:  Anraku and Fugan to lead a one day retreat at
Wesleyan College, 10 am to 4 pm.
	        	          Anraku gives a Dharma Talk at Northampton Insight
Meditation at Karuna,  sitting at 7pm, talk at 8pm.

Beginner's Mind Week:  December 1 to 7.  Everyone welcome,  Tea
following Wednesday's evening sit.

Fusatsu:  Thursday, December 3rd

Zazenkai:  Sunday, December 13th from 8 am to 4 pm.

Village Zendo's Year- End Retreat at Wisdom House.  Once a year
Village Zendo and Zen on Main, teachers and sangha go into retreat
from December 26th to January 1 to acknowledge the transition from
one year to the next.  Wisdom House is about an hour away from
Northampton, in Litchfield Connecticut.  It is a wonderful
opportunity to experience extended retreat within a larger sangha
context.  Register on line at www.villagezendo.org

As a final note; some of you have mentioned that you are interested
in Receiving Jukai (taking the Buddhist Precepts).  There will be a
group forming and beginning in February 2010.  Please contact Anraku
if you would like to participate or have any questions.


In Gassho,

Anraku