CloudWater Zendo

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jorge Torres

via Google

I have not had the opportunity to attend any services at the new zendo. I have many regrets for not being there considering the many years Shifu has been kind and direct with me when I was a participant at the old zendo on Puritas Avenue. In addition to Shifu leading the group there were others who practice and devotion to this path was clearly evident. I hope that very soon I'll be rejoining the sangha again. Amitabha!

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CHARLES E

via Google

Come to learn, pray, and meditate (doing only what you are comfortable with). This is a very orderly, simple, clean, and quiet space. There are Buddhist paintings hung on the walls with a cushion in front of each. You may choose any that you like. If you have issues sitting or kneeling low, you may use a normal chair. Although you sit in meditation with the group, thus having a sense of community, you face the wall and this helps to avoid any distractions. This time of focus and contemplation are wonderful. You can find a moment of stillness and peace while the city life is held back by the walls of this Zendo, a place of refuge for any who wish to come. Although at the time I was not a Buddhist I felt more at peace and welcome here than other places of worship more familar to my own cultural background. This brings to mind a statement by another reviewer..."culture vulture." What a mean spirited and nasty thing to say. I feel sorry for that person, and for the damage he may have done to someone seeking a place of refuge. It is too bad that that person decided to spread their bias upon others. The best advice I can give is to try to look past a person's appearance and see if they are sincere. It is my opinion that this abbot is dedicated and sincere. Ok, enough said about that, moving on. After meditation time, out came the folding chairs and we all sat around a folding table. Tea was available. There was NOTHING FANCY about it. If you are looking for something fancy you will be dissapointed. However, after a few moments of contemplation the Abbot spoke about a Buddhist topic. He taught us, and patiently answered questions. It was easy to see his compassion and I felt comfortable there. There was nothing fancy, nothing to impress your friends, no darn selfie opportunities, nothing but jewels of knowledge. You can learn how to find tranquility in your life, how to live in a better way than you used to. Here there are simple folding chairs, cheap tea and the DHARMA, the priceless, beautiful DHARMA. Currently I live on the other side of the world. I had questions and was wondering who I might be able to ask for help. This place came to mind from so long ago. I wrote to him and asked my questions hoping to hear back. Not only did he respond, the response was thoughtful and helpful. I was suprised he had taken the amount of care and time needed for such a detailed letter. Not many people seem to have the time or inclination to be of service to others, but he was to me. A year or two later I wrote again and the same thing happened. I am writing this review for a few reasons. First is my sincere gratitude. This gratitude is for the peace I felt in this Zendo. Gratitude for the cup of tea with a side of Dharma. Gratitude that although to him I was a stranger on the other side of the world, I could rely on him for help when I needed it. The second is to simply give you an honest account of my experiences. Are you curious, great go to the Zendo and try it out. Be respectful of the space and ask questions. Dont feel comfortable saying the prayers, then don't. No true Buddhist will ever want , nor feel the need to pressure you into our beliefs. To us the truth is the truth. There is no point in arguing that the sky is blue. Our only driving force is compassion. I was suprised by what some people said in the reviews, one in particular, but please try first with an open heart and mind. If it is not for you no problem, hope you find what it is you seek and need. However you just might find a place where you can be at peace and that peace has a way of becoming a regular and beautiful part of your life and of who you really are. Dont let the words of others, including mine, tell you what to think, find your own path and know places like this are a refuge for the weary traveller. Abbots are there to point you in the right direction, this one did for me, maybe for you too one day. Thank you for taking the time to read this, I hope it helps you in some small way. Take care.

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Steve Coates

via Google

The Abbott est très compétent et compatissant. Je le connais depuis plus de vingt ans. Il est allé à Seattle en avion pour bénir notre centre de méditation. Cela a été un tournant important pour notre jeune entreprise, qui est aujourd'hui très prospère, bénie soit-elle. Il est curieux de constater que de nombreux novices écrivent des critiques négatives en se concentrant sur des questions que tout expert verrait clairement au-delà, vers les véritables bénéfices et avantages que ce grand programme offre. Patience, désherbeurs en herbe !

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Christopher Hodson

via Google

Très aimables et accueillants. Je suis entré pendant la pratique de méditation et j'ai attendu patiemment que les membres aient terminé. Une fois terminé, j'ai été accueilli et informé de ce que serait le prochain service, et j'y ai assisté avec gratitude. Après le service, les membres ont pris l'initiative de me parler et ont semblé sincères dans leur intérêt pour moi ainsi que ce que je cherchais. Mon conseil à toute personne cherchant à explorer le bouddhisme - faites quelques recherches légères sur la secte que pratique le temple avant d'y aller - lorsque vous vous rendez au temple, allez-y avec l'esprit ouvert - ne vous laissez pas intimider par l'inconnu (pratiques et rituels) et n'ayez pas peur de poser des questions. N'oubliez pas qu'il est acceptable de demander le but ou la signification de tout ce que vous ne comprenez pas. D'après mon expérience, les bouddhistes sont des personnes compatissantes et aimantes qui se feront un plaisir de vous aider à vous sentir plus à l'aise.

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anonymous anonymous

via Google

Endroit intéressant. Cependant, je pense que cet endroit met la pression sur ceux qui découvrent la méditation zen et le bouddhisme. On ne devrait pas être forcé de prendre le refuge bouddhiste et je pense que vous devriez pleinement informer quelqu'un de tout ce qui se passe à l'intérieur de ce Zendo avant même de faire pratiquer les rituels et les cérémonies. La première fois que je suis venu ici, je n'avais aucune idée de ce qui se passait. Je me souviens seulement qu'on m'a enseigné la méditation zen et je ne savais pas que le cours réel impliquait des rituels/cérémonies profonds et d'autres choses qui pourraient sembler maladroites à une personne extérieure. Je dois être d'accord avec MS FlamingFlamer. Des vautours culturels, en effet.