2022 Annual Report

After two years of meeting online-only due to the pandemic, we were excited to resume in-person sitting in March 2022. Returning to the beautiful venue at Kiku Matsu Dojo – which we began renting in January 2020 before we had to abruptly transition to online offering just two months later – we are able to again practice in-person, enjoying the energy that comes with being physically present with each other. At the same time, after extensive testing of an audio-visual set-up, we are also able to offer a truly hybrid model, allowing members to join live via Zoom if they wish. This set-up entails a wide-angle GoPro camera to help those on Zoom see the whole physical hall and thus feel more included; two or more laptops/iPads to show timekeeping guidance and group discussions; and a cell phone to serve as the microphone & speaker. This online option allows members who live afar, as well as those uncomfortable with meeting in-person due to health concerns or who do not meet our vaccination requirement, to practice with the in-person group at the same time.

In 2022, we continued to offer Dharma learning opportunities that drew from our diverse membership’s research and experiences, as well as from teachers from various Buddhist traditions. In addition, over two sessions, we invited a guest speaker, Mr. Tod Nielsen, to share Dharma teachings with us via multi-cultural Buddhist Arts created by artists in many countries over many centuries. We also continued to promote interesting events offered by other Sanghas, and participated in a donation drive organized by Sit Around Chicago and other Chicago-area Sanghas to support Venezuelan refugees living in Chicago.

Below we share a more detailed report of our regular and special activities in 2022. We would also like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all those who have contributed in various ways – whether by volunteering to facilitate a Dharma discussion session, by donating to CBMG, by helping us to welcome new members, or by simply showing up to sit with us. With your support, we hope to continue offering our Sangha and our weekly practice space to serve those who need it.

Continuing with our non-denominational approach, we have been able to study authentic Buddhist teachings from diverse traditions, hearing lectures from many teachers in Zen/Seon, Tibetan, and Theravada traditions. We also encourage diverse voices from within our Sangha, and are thankful to the following members who volunteered to present Dharma Sharing, facilitate Teachers’ Corner, and/or tell Dharma Stories from sutras and other sources this past year: Alan, Belinda, Jackson, Margaret, Phyllis, Renata, Stephen, and Trina!

With these volunteers’ help, in 2022, we studied and investigated a wide range of Dharma topics, including:

In 2022, we held a few special programs:

• A special New Year Loving-Kindness (Metta) Mini-Retreat held on January 2nd
• A Sangha meeting held in January
• Watched a movie in May called “Xuan Zang” – a dramatic recounting of the life story of a historical Chinese monk, Master Xuan Zang (602-664 AD), known as one of the four greatest sutra translators of China.
• Having the honor of a special guest teacher, Mr. Tod Nielsen, joining us live in July and October. Tod shared with us: “Buddhist Arts Presentations: The Eight Great Events in the Life of the Buddha” which covered a range of cultures, styles, and mediums of Buddhist arts, while using art as a gateway for conveying important Dharma teachings.
• Promoted and participated in a donation drive organized by Sit Around Chicago and other Chicago-area Sanghas to support Venezuelan refugees living in Chicago in November