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Dear Dharma friends!
I hope you read this letter in the middle of this holiday season. Many changes are happening in our society, and times are uncertain. It is suitable for "not knowing" and compassion practice.
I am so happy to share that this year, we reached a milestone in our practice as a sangha. We had a full dharma calendar. We had our first Sesshin and Head Traineed Ceremony, with a lovely precept ceremony for four members. It was a fantastic year.
On the downside, we had low attendance in the Introduction to Zen meditation class. Also, for the first time in our Shinzan's Birthday fundraising, we did not pass our previous fundraising amounts. We collected $650 DLS with only 12 donors. I was really surprised. There may be better ways to fundraise than Facebook, or the current economy may not be so good—something to reflect on.
I am writing this letter to get your support for 2025 so we can be a self-sustaining Sangha. As you know, we all experience the hit of economic inflation. We are a small sangha that operates on a low budget to cover operational expenses. As a Sangha, we keep our program fees very low compared to what is in the market to allow everybody to participate.
I know you may be tired of receiving fundraising letters, and I apologize for the inconvenience. More than ever, we need to create spaces for all people who struggle with suffering personally and socially. OG Zendo is one of those spaces that relieves suffering.
As the year ends, we are moving toward the holiday season in the spirit of appreciation, gratitude, and generosity and moving forward to the GOOD! Please contribute to support our Sangha, either one-time or as a regular member or sponsor.
We start our annual fundraising for Open Gate Zen Collective.
As a benefactor, we invite you to join our Sangha on this journey this coming year. Your contribution, no matter the size, carries measurable significance.
We hope you feel moved to make a generous yearly donation to support Open Gate Zen Collective's Mission and Vision so that we can secure the foundation of the Sangha in Southern California.
Whatever we are to become is also because of you.
Please consider a donation to the Open Gate Zen Collective
(CA registered 501.3c non-profit).
I express my heartfelt gratitude with a deep bow.
Sensei Jose Shinzan Palma
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