Spring Ango 2021: Growing the Dharma Garden
March 21 - June 6, 2021
An Earth Witness Ango
Cultivating Environmental Awareness and Action as Dharma Practice through Hands-On Exploration of Our Food and “How It Comes to Us”
“We reflect on the effort that brought us this food and consider how it comes to us.”
More about this Ango
Gardening is a beautiful metaphor for the Dharma, and the focus for this spring ango is gardening, raising food, food security and the impact food has on our bodies and our planet. As we work line-by-line through Swampland Flowers: Letters and Lectures of Zen Master Ta Hui (translated by Christopher Clearly), we learn from Ta Hui how to be engaged in the world — including all of the messiness — while simultaneously not being moved by the chaos. Instead, we find stability in the midst of confusion. There are few things as literally and figuratively grounding as growing our own food. Gardening allows us to rely on concrete things that are within our ability to influence, such as flowers and plants.
Rather than a sangha garden at the Temple, every sangha household can grow food themselves, even if just one tomato plant. All of our homes make up the temple grounds, and when we garden with the mind of practice, the food we subsequently grow and then consume is the sangha’s food, being offered and received by the sangha, allowing us to yet again be together while apart.
Please document your gardening efforts and share with your sangha! Take photos, write haikus, post to social media, draw photos — whatever method speaks most to you — and share with your sangha throughout ango.
Ango Texts
Each Ango, Our Teachers hold up relevant texts for independent reading and as source material for Dharma Talks. You may participate in Ango as much as you are able, even if you do not purchase or read these books.
Independent Reading
Wendy Johnson’s Gardening at the Dragon’s Gate
Check for the Book at Your Local Library
Amazon (purchase with Amazon Smile to benefit the Temple)
Publisher’s website with supplemental materials about Dharma and Ecology and Organic Gardening
Source Material for Dharma Talks
During Dharma Talks, Our Teachers will work line-by-line through Swampland Flowers: Letters and Lectures of Zen Master Ta Hui (translated by Christopher Clearly).
If you wish to purchase this book to follow along with the Teachers, please take note: The book is no longer in print and used copies are very expensive -- however there is an inexpensive Kindle version.
Check for the Book at Your Local Library
Amazon Kindle (purchase with Amazon Smile to benefit the Temple)
Amazon Print Edition (caution: out of print, used copies very expensive when available)
Selected Poems
Novice Shokai has selected a small group of evocative poems by several authors. You are invited to read them anytime and they will feature in Sangha Circles discussions.
Ango Workshops
Buddhist Temple of Toledo Members will gather for three workshops where Teachers and Sangha will explore the Ango topic.
Ango Workshop Dates
Saturday, April 3 at 2 - 5 PM on Zoom (Members Only)
Zen Arts: Haiku - Teachings on intimacy with the natural world through Zen arts, including a talk and hands-on activity. Be ready to spend some time outside during the workshop.Saturday, May 1 at 2 - 5 PM on Zoom (Members Only)
The topic of the May 1 workshop is still being finalized.Saturday, May 29 at 5 at 2 - 5PM on Zoom (Members Only)
Oryoki: How it Comes to Us - Teachings on the Oryoki Liturgy and experiential “just enough” oryoki meal
