January 17, 2020
Dear Sangha:
Flint Sparks, Joel Barna, Laurie Winnette, Todd Bankler, Peg Syverson
Flint and I are delighted to officially announce the Entrustment of our new Dharma Teachers, Laurie Winnette, Joel Barna, and Todd Bankler. It is a profound occasion that honors their deep and abiding commitment to Buddha, Dharma, and particularly our Appamada Sangha, their steadfast practice, and their wholehearted offering of themselves over many years, in the service of the sangha and this Dharma Way. We have worked closely with each one and have had the opportunity to observe them in a wide range of challenging circumstances. They have served in every role, been members of Council 1, received the Precepts, and as Head Students, led practice periods, taught classes, and met in practice discussions with students. They have filled in as sangha leaders when we are traveling or unavailable. More recently, they have served as Zen Mentors, giving Dharma talks, and joined us as co-teachers for intensives. We have complete confidence in their wholeheartedness, experience, and integrity. They are well-prepared to serve as Dharma Teachers, and of course they will continue to learn in these new roles. We ask for your support and constructive feedback in response to their efforts.
For our sangha, this represents an important evolutionary step. With this ceremony, we affirm the continuity of care and community that is the fundamental principle of Appamada. It is the blossoming of the Dharma in the heartfelt and unique way that Flint and I had always hoped to express it when we first set out on this path together. The maturing of Zen students into Dharma teachers is a long, long process, and rather rare. But it speaks about the maturity of the sangha as well, and its vitality. We are making an important contribution in the world, a world filled with strife, struggle, and conflict, through patiently and persistently weaving the fabric of mutual care, mutual trust, and mutual growth together. All of the Buddhas and ancestors celebrate with us, knowing that their wisdom and compassion will be transmitted through us for future generations. In this way we offer an antidote to the forces of greed, hatred, and delusion that surround us.
Thank you for all the myriad ways you help support this aspiration and contribute to the profound work we are doing together by our vow. Please give these new Dharma Teachers your full support. They are devoted to you. I am immensely grateful for their dedication and sincere practice.
You can see Cassy Weyandt’s wonderful photos of the ceremony here:
https://lightroom.adobe.com/shares/4da8ab8ec2c54c7b855a48a9b049db92