Photos by Shundo David Haye
Thich Nhat Hanh arrived at City Center Friday morning, October 25, with a delegation of monks and nuns as they approached the end of a teaching tour of North America. Traveling with him was the honorable Sister Chan Khong, author of Learning True Love.
Rev. Zesho Susan O’Connell, SFZC President, and Rosalie Curtis, head of practice, led the group on a tour, which included a stop in the courtyard garden for some chanting and ringing of the Peace Bell. Crafted by artist Al Farrow from bullets and war materials, the Peace Bell was installed at City Center last year in a ceremony as part of the 50th Anniversary events, in which Tova Green (then director) remarked, “It is a reminder to us that—in reflecting on our intention—we can change the world.”
In an expression of the sweet nature of this pleasant morning gathering, the monks and nuns (in brown robes) chanted the Heart of Perfect Wisdom Sutra for City Center students and residents (some in black robes), who reciprocated by chanting the Emmei Jukku Kannon Gyo, to wish the travelers health, happiness and well-being.
SFZC residents and staff were honored to have the brief opportunity to welcome this group of travelers, which included monks and nuns from Deer Park Monastery, Blue Cliff Monastery, Magnolia Grove Monastery, European Institute of Applied Buddhism, and Plum Village.
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