for the sangha
About our Sangha
The Red Cedar Zen Community was founded as the Bellingham Zen Practice Group in the Spring of 1991. In 2005 we became a membership-based non-profit corporation with a strong structure, a mission statement, and clearly defined set of core values. We are now recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 religious organization. Tax receipts available on request.
Extensive information about the history, policies and values of the Sangha are available in our Sangha Handbook which is available online and is provided in printed form to members as well.
2008 Membership Drive
At our beautiful new center, Red Cedar Dharma Hall, our expenses are signficantly higher. Our focus this year is building a stable base of income from memberships.
If you would like to support the Red Cedar Zen Community as a Member please complete our on-line Membership Form.
A print version of the Membership Form is also available to print out and mail with your check.
Last year's membership drive with the goal of creating a stipend for Resident Priest Tim Burnett was a big success - thank you for your membership support!
Retreat Grants are Available for 2009
Our Retreat Grants program to provide funding to sangha members who wish to attend retreats outside the sangha is again available. Applications are accepted twice a year for grants of up to $250 per member. For 2008 applications are due February 1st and July 1st. Please see the Retreat Grant Application. You may fill out and print this application and mail it in or send an email to the membership coordinator at info@redcedarzen.org giving your answers to the questions listed. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity.
NOTE: Retreat Grants are to support members who attend retreats beyond those sponsored by the Red Cedar Zen Community and our sister sangha Mountain Rain Zen Community. We also offer scholarships to every retreat we sponser. Those scholarships are applied for as part of the registration process for our retreats. It is recommended that you register and apply early if you wish a scholarship to a Red Cedar Zen Community retreat. Scholarships and Retreat Grants are two different things.
Practice Opportunity - Volunteers Wanted!
We are looking for volunteers who would like to receive training in the meditation hall practice roles of tenken, doan, and kokyo (see below). Training is conducted by the Ino (head of meditation hall), John Keith. It takes place during our work period on the first Thursday of each month, and by arrangement with John, at 6:30 on Thursday evenings before zazen begins.
- Tenken - Rings the bell to begin and end each meditation period and leads kinhin following periods of zazen, striking the wooden clackers.
- Doan - Rings the bells during the service.
- Kokyo - Leads the chanting during the service.
Training starts with learning the Tenken role and doing it a few times. When the student feels comfortable with this role, he/she then moves on to learn and do the Doan role, and finally to learn and do the Kokyo role. There is no set timetable on learning these roles, nor is it necessary to learn all three.
We find that participating in our zendo services in these roles enriches and deepens our practice. Moreover, taking responsibility for our practice together strengthens our community. Please consider helping out in this way. Speak to John Keith on Wednesday evenings or call him at 360-676-6068.