Category: Guidance

Posted on

Tahoma Spring Reopening Guidance

Tahoma Zen Monastery is now operating on its regular schedule for the Fully Vaccinated.

WA State’s mask mandate ended mid-March and we have been carefully monitoring the state of the pandemic in our region. While there is still ongoing concern with new variants we are beginning the process of resuming our regular schedule.

All of our daily and monthly events are open for those who are fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated includes the booster. Thus we will hold our regular Choka, Evening Zazen, Zazenkai and Retreats for those who are fully vaccinated without masks. Zazenkai tea will be held out doors on the Kitchen Deck throughout the summer.

We are still maintaining distance in the zendo and will keeping windows open to keep the air circulating. Masks are optional and we absolutely respect anyone’s choice to wear one or not. It is still best practice to stay home if you feel sick and to continue to regularly wash your hands and use hand sanitizer. We will adopt guidance as it becomes available and respond to circumstances as warranted. Please always check the website for updates on our status before coming to any event.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Posted on

Late Summer/Autumn 2021 Tahoma Guidance

Vaccination required at all events.
Masks required for indoor events.


As per WA State guidelines masks are required for indoor activities for the fully vaccinated. Additionally we will continue operate at 50% capacity and the zendo has been setup with this in mind. If one finds each seat in the Zendo occupied we ask that you come at another time. 

We are limiting drop-in attendance to our events to evening zazen only. Be prepared to show proof of vaccination. Our morning chant service and Sunday Zazenkai will not be available for in-person attendance.  Zazenkai will continue to be offered virtually.

It is still best practice to stay home if you feel sick and to continue to regularly wash your hands and use hand sanitizer.

While we welcome people to freely enjoy the trails we caution against visitation at this time especially if you have traveled from afar. We ask those who do come, to stay primarily on the trails and avoid the monastery grounds during our work period (8:30-1pm) Larger groups are discouraged and should be masked. Our buildings remain closed to drop in visitors.

Autumn 2021 Schedule

Monday through Saturday
Evening Zazen (meditation): 6:25 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Full vaccination and masks required.

Sundays
Zazenkai (community sitting): 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Online only.  For more information see: Virtual Zazenkai

All other events are open to monastery residents only.

Masks and full vaccination required for in-person attendance.
Be prepared to show your vaccination card.

Posted on

Excessive Heat and Air Quality Warnings

Update 08.16.21: the heat and poor air quality have subsided for the time being.

Please note that from August 12th through the evening of August 14th Western Washington is under an Excessive Heat Advisory. Temperatures in the zendo for evening services can easily exceed 80(f).

Additionally there is an Air Quality alert as wildfire smoke from British Columbia, Eastern Washington and Oregon have made their way here. There is makeshift air filtration in the zendo to attempt to alleviate this but it requires the windows be kept closed and we won’t run the fans during zazen.

We will continue to offer morning and evening zazen but be advised of the effects of poor air quality and be aware of the temperature constraints. The temperatures are more reasonable during the morning service but the air quality can be just as poor at that time.

Posted on

Tahoma Reopening Guidance

Tahoma Zen Monastery is now operating on its regular schedule for the Fully Vaccinated.

As per CDC guidelines, which WA State has adopted, indoor activities can be undertaken without masks for those who are fully vaccinated. Thus we will hold our regular Choka, Evening Zazen, Zazenkai and Retreats for those who are vaccinated without masks. Zazenkai tea will be held out doors on the Kitchen Deck throughout the summer.

As per WA State guidelines we still must operate at 50% capacity and the zendo has been setup with this in mind. If one finds each seat in the Zendo occupied we ask that you come at another time. These restrictions are expected to lift by the end of June.

It is still best practice to stay home if you feel sick and to continue to regularly wash your hands and use hand sanitizer.

Apart from the Zendo during scheduled practice periods please continue to stay out of the buildings.

We welcome people to continue to enjoy the grounds which can be walked by anyone without a mask.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Posted on

Tahoma 2021 Covid-19 Guidance Phase 3 update

Washington State has embarked on our “Healthy Washington” reopening roadmap which, for our region, has reached Phase 3.  This allows for more or less the same limited public options that we had been operating under at the close of last year. As the infection rates fall and vaccinations increase we will be able to increasingly allow greater attendance at our events.   We hope to resume most of our regular events by the summer, but be prepared to be masked and distanced even if you are vaccinated. If you have an opportunity to get vaccinated do take it. For any of our offerings this year and for the foreseeable future that will be required.

We currently are open to the public for Choka (chant service) and evening Zazen and daylong retreats for a maximum of fifteen (15) people in the zendo. This is the maximum we can accommodate and maintain six (6) feet of physical distancing.  Sunday Zazenkai remains closed to the public.  Zazenkai will continue to be held virtually.

Tahoma Guidance

  1. Masks are required at all times when in the zendo, even if you are vaccinated. These are required for chanting, but note that the chant leader does not have to wear a mask but will be 15 feet separated.
  2. DO NOT come if you feeling sick.
  3. We are allowed to have a maximum of fifteen (15) practitioners in the zendo. If your party would exceed that number please come another time. 
  4. Stay Six (6) feet apart from other practitioners at all times. Allow for additional time for entering and exiting the zendo.
  5. Do not move cushions, chairs or other items from where they are. You can change or add cushions from the cabinet in the gaitan.
  6. Do not close the windows.
  7. If you start to feel sick, depart at a stretch break or during kinhin (walking meditation).
  8. Sanitize your hands before opening the zendo door.
  9. Thoroughly wash your hands.
  10. Cover your mouth/nose with your elbow or sleeve when coughing or sneezing. 
  11. Do not shake hands or hug. A gassho (bow) is sufficient.
  12. If you are in a High Risk Population only come if vaccinated.

Visiting Tahoma

We have been allowing people to visit and walk the trails and grounds. This continues into Phase 3 with no changes to our general policy. If visiting please follow these general rules.

  1. Please stay out of all buildings, except for the zendo during designated public zazen. 
  2. Do not congregate into groups. 
  3. Maintain physical distancing.
  4. Wear a mask.

Posted on

Tahoma Phase 3 Guidance (Updated)

As the Covid-19 pandemic worsens in the US, Washington State has modified it’s phased reopening plans. While Island County is in Phase 3 of the plan this has been limited to a maximum of ten (10) people indoors with masks required.  This guidance has been modified to reflect these changes.

Island County has entered  Phase 3 of the Washington State program for reopening. For Tahoma this means that we can allow more people into the zendo for zazen.  At the same time a statewide mask ordinance has been mandated. There are still limits on activities such as chanting and people in at risk groups are strongly encouraged to “stay home and stay healthy.”   Thus we will allow up to ten (10) people in the zendo for evening zazen and selected events. This is the maximum we can accommodate and maintain six (6) feet of physical distancing. Choka and Sunday Zazenkai remains closed to the public.  Zazenkai will continue to be held virtually.

Tahoma Phase 3 Guidance

  • Masks are required at all times when in the zendo
  • DO NOT come if you feeling sick.
  • Please use the hand sanitizer located outside the door before entering the building.
  • We are allowed to have a maximum of ten (10) practitioners in the zendo. If your party would exceed that number please come another time. 
  • Stay Six (6) feet apart from other practitioners at all times. Allow for additional time for entering and exiting the zendo.
  • Do not move cushions, chairs or other items from where they are. You can change or add cushions from the cabinet in the gaitan.
  • Do not close the windows.
  • If you start to feel sick, depart at a stretch break or during kinhin (walking meditation).
  • Sanitize your hands before opening the zendo door.
  • Thoroughly wash your hands. Take at least the length of time it takes to chant (to yourself!) the Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo three (3) times.
  • Cover your mouth/nose with your elbow or sleeve when coughing or sneezing. 
  • Do not shake hands or hug. A gassho (bow) is sufficient.
  • It is strongly encouraged to limit outside activities if you are in a High Risk Population.

Visiting Tahoma

We have been allowing people to visit and walk the trails and grounds. This continues into Phase 3 with no changes to our general policy. If visiting please follow these general rules.

  • Please stay out of all buildings, except for the zendo during designated public zazen. 
  • Do not congregate into groups. 
  • Maintain physical distancing.
  • Wear a mask.

Further information

Washington State Mask Mandate
Effective June 26, a statewide order requires individuals to wear a face covering in indoor public spaces such as stores, offices and restaurants. The order also requires face coverings outdoors when you can’t stay 6 feet apart from others. (full order here: pdf)

Washingtons Phased Approach
Details on Washington’s phases and the restrictions involved in each one can be found here: Washingtons Phased Approach
Where we currently are at can be found here: Risk Assessment Dashboard.
 

Posted on

Tahoma Phase 2 Covid-19 Guidance

Island County is currently in Phase 2 of the Washington State Guidance for reopening. This allows meeting with up to Five (5) individuals outside of your family group, whom have also been effectively physical distancing.  

Thus within the following restrictions we are allowing attendance at our evening public zazen. Morning Chant Service and Sunday Zazenkai remains closed.

Evening Zazen

Monday through Saturday: 6:30pm – 8:30pm. 
Please arrive at least five minutes early if you wish to attend. 

We are not open to the public at this time for our morning chant service, nor Sunday Zazenkai.

Tahoma Phase 2 Guidance

  • DO NOT come if you are in a High Risk Population.
  • DO NOT come if you feeling sick.
  • If you note that there are already Five (5) people in the zendo, or your party will add up to more than Five (5) total in the zendo, please come another time. 
  • Stay Six (6) feet apart from other practitioners.
  • Do not move cushions, chairs or other items from where they are. You can change or add cushions from the cabinet in the gaitan.
  • If you start to feel sick, depart at a stretch break or during kinhin (walking meditation).
  • Sanitize your hands before opening the zendo door.
  • Thoroughly wash your hands. Take at least the length of time it takes to chant (to yourself!) the Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo three (3) times.
  • Cover your mouth/nose with your elbow or sleeve when coughing or sneezing. 
  • Do not shake hands or hug. A gassho (bow) is sufficient.

Visiting Tahoma

We have been allowing people to visit and walk the trails and grounds. This continues into Phase 2 with no changes to our general policy. If visiting please follow these general rules.

  • Please stay out of all buildings, except for the zendo during designated public zazen. 
  • Do not congregate into groups. 
  • Maintain physical distancing.
  • Wear a mask.

Posted on

Guidance in the time of Corona 30

Dear All,

Already 3 months we all have been making huge efforts. Our dedication has brought us to this point today that the actual numbers of people becoming infected was not as big as assumed. I would like to thank each person who has made such great effort.

The Buddha went to Takuhatsu and in one house, there was one young man who had just washed his face, then facing the east, he bowed, facing the south, he bowed, he faced the west and bowed, he faced the north and bowed, he faced upwards and bowed, he faced downwards and bowed. The Buddha saw these dedicated bows, and went to the young man: “You are very young, yet very devoted to your bowing. Is that how you bow every day?” – “Yes, I bow daily.” – “Whom do you pray for in the east, who is it in the west, and who in the south and north?” – “There is no meaning in my bowing, I just do as my parents taught me.” – “Since you are doing something of importance, yet since you are doing it without knowing the meaning, that is a pity and is not good enough. Your bowing is very devoted, yet you need to know the purpose, I will teach you now. When you bow to the east, you bow in thankfulness to your parents who gave life to you. When you bow towards the south, you express your thankfulness towards all of your teachers, who taught you in school, taught you how to cook and sew, taught you your profession, express your thankfulness towards all who have taught you something. When you bow to the West, you express your thankfulness towards your partner and children. When you bow towards the north, you express your thankfulness towards your friends and acquaintances in life. When you bow upwards, you express your thankfulness towards those who have shown you the spiritual path and have supported you on it. When you face downward and bow, you can express your thankfulness for those who have made so many efforts to support your life.
This is called bowing in the six directions,“ the Buddha taught him.

The Buddha is teaching that we cannot lose our attitude of thankfulness towards anything we encounter. We have been supported until now and are still being supported thanks to many karmic connections, for this we can be thankful. Nowadays people have become lonely and poor in mind, this is the time we are living in.

The existence of each person is equal. We have so many natural disasters in the world, so many problems in the world and they seem to increase. And the number of people who spread their dissatisfaction onto others also seems to increase. This is where we as humans need to return to being thankful.

We may still know and be aware of our thankfulness towards our teachers, in any country in any religion this is being taught. The Buddha said: Bow towards your partner and children. He says bow towards those who are working and supporting you. Live in a way that you feel thankful for each person.

The Buddha said this 2600 years ago, when women were still looked upon as not being equal. Still the Buddha said, bow towards your wife, bow towards your husband. Truly seeing the human value of each person, and seeing the need for each relationship needing to find a balanced way in harmony.

We need to live our life with the feeling of thankfulness. In a dojo, a professional place of training, the monks learn to bow towards one another.

We can understand somehow that we bow to our partner, since he/she supports our life as well. But bowing to our children? If we are not careful, we believe that our children are our children. Seen from a Buddhist point of view this is different. The life of the children came forth from the womb of the mother yet the life energy is being passed down from ancient past. We all had a past life, and since we are only aware of what happened after we were born in this life, we do not know about what was before. We simply forgot. We were not suddenly born by chance. We all have a past. When you have many children you will know that each child has their particular abilities. This child has never heard music at home yet may have a deep appreciation for it. The parents may not be painters, yet a child may be gifted in drawing. This shows that the base for this ability may have its origin in a past life. Scientist talk about DNA yet that is not all there is to it. Each person´s personality is expressing the past life. This child has its own past life and now has the karmic connection to be born through my womb, we can only be thankful for this.

Nowadays even though hardly anyone will say so, there are many parents who see their children as their own. When we think about this, we as parents are here to stop that special ability in our child and support it in developing it further, so that it can live a life standing on its own feet.

That is why the Buddha is teaching us that we should also express our thankfulness towards our children. The parents did not make the child, but the child appeared and borrowed the womb of the mother to take form.

Many doctors and nurses and caregivers are working for those who have been infected by the corona virus, they even may become infected themselves. Yet they continue their work and make efforts. When we see this, we need to be thankful for their devoted efforts. This is the great treasure they are giving us during this time which we deeply need to be thankful for.

If we receive the teaching of the Buddha, we need to deeply feel this thankfulness from the bottom of our mind. We also continue our efforts, seeing the efforts not only the medical team but of the many people working in society.

Please everyone take this huge state of mind of yours as most important, that can see the efforts which each person is making. This is my deep wish.

(this is the final entry of the Guidance in the time of Corona, by Shodo Harada Roshi)

Posted on

Guidance in the time of Corona 29

Dear All,

Today is the 21st of May, we did let go of all the corona information for a while and had sesshin with 27 people. In 2 days we will have our next sesshin, the time inbetween is used by the people of training to look around and see the situation.

The lockdown is being relieved in many countries, in many towns, moving one step ahead. Yet the data is still showing that many people are still being infected, as well as many people dying.

I just found a DVD in my cupboard from 15 year ago, a documentary made by the BBC . For my own study I watched this DVD and was most astonished to see that the situation happening now is exactly being described in that documentary from 15 years ago.

At that time it was certain that this would happen, all types of information were showing in this direction. All this was already know by the experts, politicians, economists. Even while it had not happened, yet it was already warned that this would bring great distress to all people. In the past we have been through many pandemics, looking at these times, the Spanish fever for example, many people died at that time. Nowadays we are lucky that medicine has developed and can support people to some degree who have become infected.


Experts say that humans developed, evolved while fighting viruses. Our evolution was urged on by the viruses affecting us. Thanks to these viruses, we developed. A virus is not an enemy, yet it brings forth our life force. We do have desires and self satisfaction, this being our base, we do things not without meaning, but bring forth confusion ourselves.
Thus while we try to take one step ahead, we need to be responsible, we cannot only follow our own desires and self satisfaction. This is important for all of humanity now. We learn this now, we can develop as humans and create a society where we can help one another. How is this possible? This is where we need to focus.

In Buddhism it says: If you want to know the past, look at the present. If you want to know the future, look at the present face. This is the teaching of Mahayana Buddhism that all is based on cause and effect.

Humans started off fighting one another, yet as time goes by, we created a society which developed more and more social values as well, supporting also the weak in the system. When we see this, the situation now could not have been imagined by anyone. We were just living according to our desires and wishes. Now the corona virus is teaching us that we need to cooperate. We need to help one another. This is what is right in front of our face.

Now countries need to see clearly how they can continue, making depts yet supporting the people of the country now so that each person may be supported in their wish to live. We never had a situation like this and it demand great effort from all of us.

For those who have become unemployed because their company became bankrupt, they don´t know how to continue not receiving any income, those people need our support now. This is our actuality. The corona virus is our enemy yet also the source of us being able to evolve at this moment now. We have been falling apart in many different classes and countries, yet now we do need to support one another, this is our lesson now.

We can review ourselves, not just following along but checking for ourselves, how can we open or eye of wisdom, this effort is needed. In Mahayana Buddhism the mysterious not two. Self and other are not separated, they are not two. This world and me are one, past and present and future are not separate, they are tied together.

In the sutras the Dhammapada teaching the law of cause and effect by taking the sample of a lotus flower. The lotus flower does not grow in the pure mountain waters. The lotus only grows from mud and from there it blossoms. While it rises up from the mud, the flower and leaves are beautiful and have not the slightest bit of dirt or mud stuck to them. This is the mysterious not two.

Not running away from challenges, from a difficult situation and country, but taking all your strength each person can let their flower blossom. Not just as a mental idea, but in our hands, in our feet, in our efforts we need to find the truth. These efforts cannot be stopped.

This fall, whether there will be rain or storm, I still keep picking the weeds today.

Whether it will be gain or loss, joy or sorrow, this is not what we look at, but how we can live in a straight forward way, that is what we need to look at, or else it becomes mental, hoping for something better in the future. This would not be a healthy way of living.

We learn from yesterday, we have hope for tomorrow and walk each step now strongly connected to the ground. Each person needs to reflect upon the value of their life. A see of grain was the beginning, bringing forth uncountable grains. Thus we have our karma of the past, and according to our wish for the future, we can bring forth the result we have hoped for.

The pain, suffering, anxiety, loneliness of each person cannot drown us, but by taking each step with all the life energy we have, a new path opens up. This is my great wish for all.

Posted on

Guidance in the time of Corona 28

Dear All,

Ryokan says:

“Without intending it, the flower attracts the butterfly.
Without intending it, the butterfly approaches the flower.
I do not know the other
The other does not know me.
We naturally follow the universal way
When we meet, we do so without intending it.”

The flower did not call the butterfly, yet when it blossoms the butterflies gather. The butterfly fly to greet the flower? When the butterflies fly, that is when the flowers blossom. I do not know the other, they do not know me.

This poem has a deep sense. The butterfly and the flower did not intend to meet one another, yet how did it come about? They meet. The seasons change, the karma brings forth connections to other humans, this is one happening, which can be called: empty minded karmic connection.

Empty minded is a state of mind when we do not have a plan to do a certain thing and still our functioning arises. Many people are infected by the virus, which is so sad, yet so many people have recovered. We do not want to get into such a situation, yet it may happen. Whether we see it as good or bad is up to our state of mind.

We may be on a train, people are sitting next to us, the scenery is constantly changing, why is this one person sitting next to me? Why is this other person standing in front of me? We do not know one another, if we think about it, it is rather strange. It may be predestined, which is the law of an imaginary god, yet in zen there is not imagined god existing. This is where Ryokan puts it well. This imaginary god is called the law of karmic connection in zen.

Our encounters are not just created by a god. There is a cause for our encounter which is connected by invisible strings to the outcome. Ryokan says, we naturally follow the universal way. Ryokan does not leave it at an encounter coming about curiously, but says it depends on our karmic connections.

In Europe at the entrance to a town it says:

Giving the traveler a place to rest, the visitor a smile, and for the departing we wish happiness. We pray for the good for those who need to go. We have such precious chance which we encounter and how we give life to them, how we bring forth our wisdom, this is where we constantly need to look sharply at.