Group Zen Meditation in Buffalo--Update

When will the Buffalo Zen Dharma Community return to its usual activities?  This is the question for our sangha.  The short answer is we don’t know.  There are many factors that come into play in answering this question.  What does the Center for Disease Control recommend?  What do the facilities we use have to say about when we may return and what are the requirements to return?  When does the sangha feel comfortable returning?  What do local and state authorities have to say about communities of faith returning to their usual activities? What kind of cleaning, disinfection, and ventilation requirements are there going to be once group activities start up?  In the State of New York communities of faith are slowly coming back to group settings.  However, it takes a lot of planning to meet safety requirements.  

The Zen Center of New York City, Fire Lotus Temple has published its Re-opening Guidelines. But the number of practitioners who may return for a group sit is very much less than their normal.  And if we are to return to Westminster Presbyterian Church, who will be the people assigned to make sure we are following these required guidelines?
 
A recent poll of the Buffalo Zen Dharma Community has revealed that most of the sangha members are not interested in returning to our usual group activities at this time.  We have started a dialog with Westminster on our return which they say may happen as soon as June first.  But, due to the current preference of the sangha members to continue with our Zoom meetings, we are not making plans now to start group activities.  Rather, we are looking to re-consider when we are going to return to Westminster later this fall.  

Future posts on this blog will update where the Buffalo Zen Dharma Community is in the journey back to group activities at Westminster Presbyterian Church.  
 
Even though we have not started up group activities and are not spending money on events which can cost a lot, donations are still very much appreciated to maintain our Zoom capabilities and internet presence.  Donations are still very much welcome and can be sent to:

Buffalo Zen Dharma Community 
165 Warsaw Street, Unit 330
Depew, NY 14043

---