Enpuku-ji is the name that Kyozan Joshu Roshi gave in January of 2001 for Centre Zen de la Main’s future permanent home. Enpuku-ji is, first and foremost, our opportunity to manifest “no-self” in the spirit of dana (selfless giving). We have benefited for eleven years from the generous and gracious donation of the house at 30 Vallières by Jikan Leonard Cohen. Establishing Enpuku-ji will provide a larger space for Zen practice, expand community access to the Zen Centre and offer a base for our future programs within the community.

The Enpuku-ji capital campaign began with corporate and foundation contacts in the fall of 2005. We are now moving into the major donor stage of the capital campaign. Based on their research, members of the planning committee will identify potential major donors, and individual meetings will begin in the upcoming weeks.

Prior to raising funds, board members expressed a wish for more input from the larger community. In the spring of 2005, the board established an advisory council, the members of which act as consultants to the Abbess and the board in regard to Centre Zen de la Main’s role as a religious institution in the community. Kendo Harold Roth, Myokyo’s fellow monk, has moved from the board of directors to the advisory council to join Jikan Leonard Cohen, Sunanda Jane Markus, Victor Sogen Hori, and Stephen Jundo Slusher. In addition, the board of directors welcomes Marc Waller as a new member. Marc, director of two libraries at Université de Montréal, has been a practitioner and supporter of Centre Zen since 2003.

The Facilities Committee has targeted Plateau-Mont-Royal, Rosemont-La Petite Patrie, and Parc-Extension-Villeray as possible locations for Enpuku-ji and continues its search for existing properties and building sites in these areas.

Centre Zen de la Main is pleased to announce that Henri Cleinge has agreed to be the architect for Enpuku-ji. Henri, one of the Centre’s board members, created a beautiful three-unit condominium in Little Italy, which has won several awards including Architecture Magazine’s 2005 Home of the Year Award.  On Saturday, January 21, members of the planning committee and friends of Centre Zen visited Henri’s home, an end unit in this building. Henri’s architectural works, which include the bar/micro-brewery Reservoir, exude simplicity and elegance, emphasizing light and space through the use of raw materials such as wood, steel, and concrete. We are honored that Henri is involved in the creation of Enpuku-ji and look forward to seeing our new home come to life. You can visit Henri’s website at www.cleinge.com .

As part of our work to create a permanent home in Montreal, Centre Zen de la Main is expanding its presence in the local community. In October, Centre Zen raised community awareness with two events open to the public. The first, a night of delicious vegetarian appetizers, took place at the local non-profit meals-on-wheels organization, Santropol Roulant. Myokyo’s fellow monk and Moosewood Cookbook co-author, Myoko Maureen Vivino, helped Myokyo and the Santropol Roulant cooks prepare delicious Moosewood recipes for members of the local community to enjoy.

The following evening, the first 3 Bowl Dinner ― soon to become an annual event ― took place at the beautiful Alfred Dallaire Centre. The event began with Whisk and Bowl, a formal tea reception hosted by Myokyo and her fellow monk, Victor Sogen Hori. The 3 Bowl Dinner, attended by 60 people, followed the reception. The dinner allowed members of the community and friends of Centre Zen to experience eating in the style of a formal Rinzai Zen meal: in complete silence. After the meal, Myokyo gave a presentation on the history of Centre Zen de la Main and the Enpuku-ji project. The second 3 Bowl Dinner will take place on Sunday, October 15, 2006.

Regular updates about Enpuku-ji will continue to appear on the website. If you would like to contribute to a permanent home for Centre Zen de la Main in a financial way or by offering time and/or skills, please contact us. There is plenty to do, many skills are needed, and your participation is what will help create Enpuku-ji.

We would like to thank the many volunteers who have helped Centre Zen de la Main work towards realizing Enpuku-ji over the last months — from those who prepared the 3 Bowl Dinner to those who enter data on the office computer. Your time and care are greatly appreciated.