I was delighted to attend the annual 2026 meeting of the Lay Zen Teacher's Association in Seattle a few weeks ago.

So!...What are those green rakusus about and, what is "Lay Entrustment?"

Lay entrustment is a role offered to a long-practicing student by their teacher.  The person inhabiting the lay entrusted position has been authorized to teach, to give practice discussion, and act on the behalf of the teacher in some circumstances.  We are teachers but not priests; and, our lay entrustment is designated by the green color of the Rakusu we sew for our lay entrustment.

(Editor's note: our lay entrusted teachers at Red Cedar are Seiu Hannah Sullivan, Heigaku Talus Latona, and Seishin John Wiley)

I spent five days in April with the Lay Zen Teacher’s Association (LZTA) annual gathering south of Seattle near a little point of park land called Dash Point.  It’s a catholic retreat center on a bluff above the salt water; very contemplative and conducive to spending days together.  The group is inclusive of all zen traditions so in addition to the Suzuki Roshi lineage, White Plum groups including Portland (Dharma Rain) Maryland, Philadelphia, New York City, Los Angeles (ZCLA), and Florida were represented, as was the Korean zen group from Seattle.

Presentations included Zed Talks(!): on a passionate interest of any kind. Our dharma friend Lee Nelson from Seattle talked from her research linking cellular science to spirituality.  Another table host event featured art as a gate to koans (blank paper, colored pens and choice of koan included!).

It’s refreshing to be in community with a group of fellow practitioners, especially from different schools and geography.  For many of us,  sustained time together is largely silent. On this occasion, sharing our ideas and experiences with one another was time well spent; continuous practice.

(Did I mention the eagles and osprey?)