On May 9, Roshi Zenku Jerry Smyers, a Soto Zen priest, will conduct the ancient ceremony for renaming a Zen temple. The Creston Zen Centre has recently become an affiliate of the Silent Thunder Zen Order and is changing its name to Sakura-ji, which means Cherry Blossom Temple. If you are among the many who have expressed appreciation for the presence of a Zen centre in our community, this event provides an opportunity to express that appreciation.
Smyers was ordained a Zen priest in 1982. In 2005 he moved to Montana and established the Mission Mountain Zen Group just south of Kalispell. He is the teacher of Kuya Minogue, practice leader at the Creston zendo. While in Creston, Smyers will also lead a mini-retreat that begins at 7 p.m. May 8 and includes a public talk by Smyers.
The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m., followed by a potluck lunch. For more information, call Minogue at 250-428-6500.
—SAKURA-JI