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EDIT BY KYONIN:
THANK YOU: THE FUNDRAISING IS NOW CLOSED (and so is this thread)
Dear all,
With all my heart I want to thank you for your love and support. We have reached the goal and everything is set for the travel. We can now move on to finish preparations.
I will take you all with me on this adventure.
Gassho,
Kyonin
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Dear Leafers,
Our Rev. Kyonin will be making a short visit to Japan at the end of September, his first time.
While in Japan, the plan will (hopefully) include his sitting for a week at a Japanese temple, Myotokuji (妙徳寺) in Fukui Prefecture, not so far from Dogen Zenji's temple of Eiheiji. Myotokuji holds a rather traditional Soto-style Sesshin for about a solid week, rising early, working and sitting, and it is important for a Zen priest to experience such if it is possible.
Of course, while in Japan, Kyonin will also stay with me (Jundo) for some days, and I hope that he will have exposure to our history and Zen culture in this place that is so important to our traditions.
However, it is a major expense and undertaking for Kyonin, who struggles economically, to come from Mexico to Japan. Even reducing expenses as much as possible, he could use some support. He writes the following:
Kyonin and I discussed how much he will need. We believe that about half his time here will be devoted to clearly Buddhist and training activities, and that Kyonin should pay himself for anything that is not clearly related to Buddhism and training. He should only request help with expenses facilitating his Zen training. Accordingly, he could use assistance with approximately $1500 U.S. to cover the portion of air fair and domestic travel in Japan clearly involving Buddhist activities (and he himself will pay another approximately $1500 out of his own pocket).Dear all,
Since I was a child I have been aware of the teachings of the Buddha and I have always wanted to ordain. It was thanks to my Aikido and Iaido Sensei that I began practicing Zen. As you can imagine, Japan and Zen Buddhism have always been in my heart. They are part of who I am.
Being a Zen Buddhist priest in Mexico and so far away from Japan, it is rare to have the opportunity to travel to Japan and learn. I feel the calling and I also feel that the time is right for me to sit and practice with Jundo Roshi in Tsukuba if only for a few days.
But because Mexico is a poor country, it’s very difficult for a Mexican priest to travel to other lands to learn. Specially Japan since our money is not as strong as the Yen is. I already have the plane tickets, but I need some help to sustain myself the 20 days I’ll be there.
The plan is to travel to Tsukuba, then off to sesshin at a temple for a week, and then go visit historic places key to our tradition and practice (temples, roads, monuments). If possible I’d also like to take a shodo, shakuhachi, history or [Buddhist] cooking workshop, but that’s only a wish.
So I come to the sangha with a humble request for assistance. If it’s possible for you to donate a few bucks to help me on this journey, it will be greatly appreciated. You’d not only be helping me but our growing Spanish speaking sangha.
Thank you in advance.
Kyonin
Furthermore, Kyonin and I will be trying to keep his expenses even lower than such amount. If there is any balance remaining after his trip (or if he raises more than he needs), we will make sure that the unused balance will be donated to some reputable charity to aid people.
We do not require or ask any donations for anything we do here at Treeleaf, so any donation to Kyonin should be without obligation, and only because somebody simply wishes to assist. It has always been considered in Buddhism a very generous act of Dana and Merit to support a priest on pilgrimage and in training.
I look forward to seeing Kyonin here in Japan, sitting in our Zendo in Tsukuba and his visiting with my family. We will travel together a bit around this part of Eastern Japan. Hopefully, we will be able to bring you all along as much as possible. He will be in Japan from September 27th to October 15th.
If you have any questions, please feel free to post here, or PM to Kyonin and/or me.
Gassho, Jundo
STLah
limited to positive 優婆塞 台 婆
Originally Posted by Tai Shi
So grateful for your practice and dedication, Kyonin! 
