Present:
Karen Fitzgerald, Ted Williams, Danna Zelenka, Brenda Miller, Jenn
Hebert, Eileen Kiera, Kate Haskell, Sofia Haskell (age 6)
We received an overview of the Hall’s financial
structure, from Jenn, then we proceeded to answer the questions set out in the
Hall’s survey of groups:
--the
hall provides a consistent place of practice that is easy to get to, set up and
maintain.
--it’s
easy on us financially as a group (we’re not responsible, as a group, for rent
and maintenance costs).
--it
helps us support others who are not yet committed to practice
--we
like being part of a larger Buddhist community; it provides mutual energy and support for practice
(having the energy of others sitting in the same space)
--it
makes us more visible to newcomers
--efficient
use of common resources, such as zafus, etc.
--we have enough space for both regular
practice and larger events.
The
Mindfulness group does not anticipate a specific growth in size (our numbers
continually fluctuate), but perhaps a small growth in the kinds of offerings,
such as a non-residential retreat at the hall.
We average 10 people per sitting night.
--since we don’t have to take as much
responsibility for the hall, it can be “too easy”; we don’t have to mature and
“grow up” as a sangha and take full responsibility for ourselves.
--newcomers
may not get as committed to our group, since they may keep “shopping
around.” This kind of “shopping mall”
mentality can perhaps dilute the energy.
--since
we are a small group, a few people end up taking on more jobs, both within
sangha and the larger dharma hall. This
can lead to burnout.
--we
are committed to developing Mountain Lamp, a rural retreat center for our
group; being part of the dharma hall can perhaps draw resources (financial and
human) away from Mountain Lamp and our own sangha’s needs.
--the
physical space we have now does not provide any area for extended walking
meditation, which is an important part of our practice.
--the
space we have now is very noisy, with street noise, the Aikido group, and the
noise and inconsistency of the heaters.
Does not provide a conducive
atmosphere for quiet reflection, dharma discussion, and dharma talks.
--there
is no adequate space to have a kids/family program going on at the same time as
regular sitting. This is important for
our practice.
--there
is no separate foyer for less disturbance from latecomers.
--there
is no separate meeting space, to keep the sanctity of the zendo intact.
--there
is no accessibility for the disabled.
--100% of the group present are members of
the dharma hall and pay dues; a large percentage of our group members are also
members of the dharma hall.
--We give 10% of earning from events, but
we’ve given less in the recent past, since all our events have been strictly
teacher dana.
--We provide a place for Mindfulness
practice.
--We provide a representative to the Board
and to the Space Committee.
--We provide a member to maintain the
website.
--we clean the hall as part of our working
meditation.
--we participate in larger hall events.
4.
What
is the group’s involvement with the larger sangha? Would you like to see more
“meta sangha” events?
--Yes, we enjoy events with members of other
sanghas, and we’d like to see activities increase, such as a Kids’ program, and
another “open sitting” such as a 5:00 sitting.
--we discussed how the dharma hall and its
groups are really creating and discovering what Buddhism looks like in the
west, and how traditional Buddhist monastic practices can translate into lay
practices.
--We feel uncomfortable with outreach efforts
that might take on the aspect of “recruitment,” such as having a booth at a
non-Buddhist event. Presence at
Buddhist oriented events seems appropriate.
--It
is important for the dharma hall to develop a “shared values and vision
statement” that will guide all our
efforts.
--We
are interested in perhaps having “service outreach” programs, where members of
the dharma hall participate together in a community service project.
--Since we are a small group, with a core
group of about 8 people, we would not be able at this time to commit to a lease
or mortgage payment.
--Since we are committed to supporting
Mountain Lamp, and our teacher Eileen Kiera, many of our financial resources go
there as well.
--We can bolster our efforts to encourage
individuals to become part of the dharma hall.
--We
do not at this time require financial membership in our sangha, but we are open
to discussing that as part of our evolution. We discussed whether or not more
people would be more inclined to financially commit to and support individual
groups they attend, rather than the bigger concept of the dharma hall. We will have a sangha discussion about this
topic. If we decide to have financial
memberships in our group, a portion of this money would go to the dharma hall.
--We
do commit to staying with the dharma hall for many years to come.
7.
Would
you be willing to share space with other tenants, or pool resources with
outside groups also looking for a space?
--We would strongly prefer the dharma hall
house only the four meditation groups.
We would be open to other Buddhist practitioners using the space for
Buddhist events.
--If it’s absolutely necessary to share the space,
it would have to be a group that does nothing to impact the practice or dilute
the group’s energy in managing the relationship with the tenants.
--We might be open to renting any space that’s not
directly used for meditation, but it would have to be in line with our values
and practice. For instance, renting a
bedroom to a dharma practitioner.
8.
What
is most important to your group for the new space?
--an adequate space for outdoor walking meditation; this can either be
on the grounds itself, or the hall could be backed up/within walking distance
to a green space or a large park.
--a separate space for Kids/Family program
--Quiet
--Accessibility