Invitation to the 164th London Eza
It is with the greatest pleasure that I write once again to invite you to the 164th London Eza, to be held at Three Wheels from 1:00 p.m. on Sunday 25th June 2023.
June is the month for Garden Open Days for Three Wheels and we are holding ours from 2 to 5 p.m on two weekends: 3rd and 4th and 17th and 18 June.
The Zen garden at Three Wheels is one of the outstanding works bequeathed to us, the Dharma friends of this Sangha, by the late Professor John White. When he suggested creating a Zen garden at Three Wheels, he told me, “Meditation is important for Shin Buddhists as well.” His remark brought back an old memory I had of the great Zen man, D.T. Suzuki, in the garden of his residence speaking to me with a gentle smile, “Sitting in meditation (zazen) is good”, knowing that I came from the Shin Buddhist tradition. When I relayed John White’s idea of making a Zen garden over the phone to my master, Venerable Chimyo Takehara, he took me completely by surprise by immediately signalling his agreement, saying “It will be good for the improvement of mutual understanding between you and Professor White.”
The organisation of our “Garden Open Days” has long served as an excellent introduction not only to Japanese culture but also to Buddhism, especially to Shin Buddhism, our own particular tradition. In fact, quite a few of our Dharma friends were first introduced to the Three Wheels Sangha through our “Garden Open Days”. I am deeply grateful to Professor White for creating this beautiful Zen garden.
At the Shokai Retreat in April, we were happy to witness the deepening of mutual understanding amongst our Dharma friends through their wonderful re-encounter in the light of the great teaching of “Non-attachment”.
With all the amazing developments in the Dharma movement of this Sangha in mind, Reverend Kenshin Ishii is going to give an illuminating Dharma talk at the forthcoming London Eza.
I am much looking forward to seeing you all at Three Wheels towards the end of the month, either in person or via Zoom.
Yours Sincerely
Kemmyo Taira Sato
Venue: 55 Carbery Avenue, London, W3 9AB
Time and date: 1:00 p.m., 25th June (Sunday) 2023.