From the Temple

***DerAuslander*** · Posted On: 12/24/2007 6:53pm

This is for the Bullies who wanted pics of the temple, my new place, and Iron Wheel classes. My cell in the hermitage is not quite set up yet, so those will come later, but here are some pics of an Iron Wheel class from a couple weeks ago.

We were working on counters to a cross punch, slipping outside, parrying inward, and responding with a cross to the body. This is followed by stepping past the opponent and sweeping.

The main altar is behind the students. Before class I offer incense to the Buddha and to Guan Yu. Behind me is a smaller altar for memorial plaques for the deceased.

Lotus lanterns hang from the ceiling with prayer cards for sangha members & their families.

Not sure what I'm teaching here, but I love the glowy effect in the eyes. There's a better view of the memorial altar, and one of the space heaters. There is no AC or heating in the Dharma hall, so it gets nice and chilly in there in the winter.

Me, demonstrating footwork with a strike probably. The thing I'm holding is a Dharma stick, not an actual weapon. It's like a clapper, used to call attention, and to bring focus at the beginning and end of meditation sessions. It is also occasionally used to supply "object lessons" for students during Dharma talks, koan interview, or Iron Wheel class.

This a pretty average Monday night class. There's a few other students, but class size usually stays between 4-7 people. The students are all young adults, which means I get to push them hard. All have previous martial arts training, mostly TKD, though I have a Marine with a MCMAP background, two Beejers, and an Aikidoka.

***DerAuslander*** · Posted On: 12/24/2007 7:12pm

Here's some pics from our Holiday Open House. We had quite the spread of food. Korean BBQed short ribs (galbi) marinated by one of mothers and grilled by my teacher, fresh fruit and the usual fermented vegetables, escargot made by yours truly, sauteed mushrooms and onions, rice, and of course...soju...

That's my teacher at the head of the table.

Pretty much the same pic as the first, less blurry, though missing the young lady from the body left in the first pic.

The obligatory candid shot. My teacher pours another glass of wine for one of the other students while another takes a toast. MaverickZ attempts to stab me with a chop stick, as the young lady across from us is completely unphased, smiling placidly.

The evening continued with the singing of random Dave Matthews songs, tours of the temple, and of course, more soju.

It was a good night.