ALL FAITH RITUAL AND PRAYER RALLY

"This year, in a rare coincidence, both Ashura and Yom Kippur fall on the same day: September 30th.
These Muslim and Jewish holidays mark each tradition’s new year and provide opportunities for deep reflection and renewal."
(Justice atop City Hall)
"On this day of sacred convergence, Muslims, Jews, allied faith communities, and civic leaders will gather in lower Manhattan with a powerful message of unity. With song and prayer and in solidarity with the March for Racial Justice in Washington D.C., we will rise up together for a city, country, and world of justice and peace."

1 Center Street
Walk through to the Plaza
4PM

 Circling

 Circling 2

 Circling 3

 Join Hands

 We sang, swayed and meditated.
5PM
 Two Shofars announced the end of the Ceremonies

 Some folks were returning to LAB-SCHUL at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center-199 Chambers Street for the closing service and meditation....

...but I headed homeward.
The weather turned Cold.

 Stopped before reentering the subway to shoot
these sunflower seed pods...

 and the moon over the Brooklyn Bridge...

 ~*~
 LINKS

LAB/SHUL
 https://labshul.org/about-labshul/

SHOFAR
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shofar

Co-Sponsored by:
Islamic Center at New York University
Center for Faith and Community Partnerships,
Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit
Lab/Shul
Buddhist Council of New York
Auburn Theological Seminary
CAIR-New York
Faith in New York ,
Cosponsor of the Black Women's March
African Communities Together
Muslim Community Network
New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care
NYC Muslim-Jewish Solidarity Committee
Judson Memorial Church - New York City
Intersections International

~*~

PROTECTION

Protector of travelers: Jizo is the first deity most people encounter when they set foot in Japan. This is because he is the protector of travelers. You’ll find Jizo peeking out among the grasses along the road, standing at intersections, overseeing borders, or sitting in a wooden shelter built especially for him. Jizo is at temples too, where sometimes he holds a baby in his arms. He is found at boundaries between places both physical and spiritual, between here and there, life and death. Jizo, protector of children: Jizo takes care of the souls of unborn children and those who die at a young age. Children “in limbo” in Japan are said to go to a place called sai no kawara, where they must create piles of stones into small towers. But every night the stone towers are destroyed by demons, so the next day the children must make new piles of stones. The making of these towers is to help their parents accrue merit for their own afterlife. This is why you sometimes see stray stones that have been made into little towers alongside Jizo statues. People make them for the souls of these children, to help them achieve their goals. People also leave toys, candy or fruit as offerings at the base of Jizo statues. Women also pray to Jizo for fertility and easy childbirth. Some temples sell amulets for this purpose." 

(There was a Jizu ceremony at my Zendo)

"In Japan, Ksitigarbha, known as Jizō, or Ojizō-sama as he is respectfully known, is one of the most loved of all Japanese divinities. His statues are a common sight, especially by roadsides and in graveyards. Traditionally, he is seen as the guardian of children, and in particular, children who died before their parents. He has been worshipped as the guardian of the souls of mizuko, the souls of stillborn, miscarried or aborted foetuses, in the ritual of mizuko kuyō (水子供養, lit. offering to water children). In Japanese mythology, it is said that the souls of children who die before their parents are unable to cross the mythical Sanzu River on their way to the afterlife because they have not had the chance to accumulate enough good deeds and because they have made the parents suffer. It is believed that Jizō saves these souls from having to pile stones eternally on the bank of the river as penance, by hiding them from demons in his robe, and letting them hear mantras."

(Some offerings on the Altar)

 *

 *

 *

 *

~*~

LINKS

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2012/03/31/our-lives/a-guide-to-jizo-guardian-of-travelers-and-the-weak/

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kshitigarbha

https://www.zendust.org/monastery/jizo-jizo-garden

(Note-the Wedding Celebration post is still under construction)

CONSIDERATIONS

"Consider today the 85 generations of people who have carried the Zen teachings in their unique way to you. How does that impact your attitude towards your practice?"

(The Zendo after a group sitting)

"Consider the 85 generations of your family who have carried DNA across continents and each expressing in their individual way. How does that awareness impact you?"

(sign that hangs by the door in my hall)

"Consider all the people you see today by realizing that they too are dependent on thousands of generations before them. How does that change the way you look at them?"

~*~

LINK

Excerpted from day 9 of "Commit to Sit" practice

New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care

*