Fall 2023 Special Events - Fundraiser
Fundraiser for Michael's Zuise
This Fall, Compassionate Ocean wants to help to fundraise for Michael’s Zuise trip to Japan, the next step in his training as a Soto Zen priest.
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Our goal is to support Michael's journey by raising $8,800 – one hundred dollars for each of the eighty-eight Buddhist temples on the periphery Japan’s Shikoku Island. Visiting these 88 temples is one of the world’s foremost pilgrimage experiences. Michael's Zuise and related training is an auspicious pilgrimage of its own.
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All proceeds from this campaign will go towards supporting Michael in his travels to Japan. Any money raised in excess of actual trip expenses will go toward our year-end fundraising.
What is a Zuise?
Compassionate Ocean is excited to support our guiding teacher Michael in his Zuise. In Japanese, ‘Zui’ means “auspicious”, while ‘Se’ signifies “the world”. The experience of Zuise signals the formal transformation of a priest from Shiho (one who has received Dharma Transmission) to Osho (teacher).
While on this trip, Genpo will serve as the Abbott for one day at both of the founding temples of the Soto school of Zen: Eihei-ji and Soji-ji.
After completing his Zuise, Genpo will receive the title of Osho. This is an important and beautiful step in his role as one of the guiding teachers at Compassionate Ocean.
This marks the next stage in Michael’s training as a priest in the Soto Zen Tradition, and thus, he will be a pilgrim to some of sites that are the birthplace of the Soto Zen Buddhism that we practice today.
Pie Auction Fundraiser for Michael's Trip to Japan
Compassionate Ocean Zen Center Sunday, Sept. 24, 9:00–11:15 A.M.
As part of our fundraising effort, we will host a Pilgrimage Pie Auction fundraiser on Sunday, Sept. 24.
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You are cordially invited to come to the Center to bid on pies, make a donation, or just socialize and wish Michael well on his trip.
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The pie auction will be preceded by a short sitting as per our normal Sunday Sangha. After this sitting, in lieu of a Dharma Talk, we will gather to socialize and bid on delicious homemade pies! Michael will also talk about his upcoming trip and his previous training in Japan in 1992.
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With energy, we can work towards our fundraising goal of $8,800 to support Genpo in his travels.
Volunteer bakers needed!
Do you enjoy baking? Please volunteer to bake a pie (or any other tray-form baked goods) to be auctioned during this event.
Our goal for the auction is 15 pies total, and volunteers are welcome to bake more than one item for auction.
Please complete this form for each pie or baked good you plan on bringing to auction by 09/20.
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If you have any questions or would like to be involved in this event, please contact Alex Murkve at alex.murkve@gmail.com (or 612-355-9939)