“The sanctuary is built” - Koan 4, Book of Serenity, “The world honored one points to the ground.”
Deep Bows and Greetings Red Cedar Zen Sangha Members-
Almost two years ago, we “jumped off the hundred-foot flagpole,” and left our home on Forest Street. We now have come to the place where we will plant our blade of grass. On August 15, we will close the purchase of 2509 Cedarwood as the new home of the Red Cedar Zen Community.
On July 7, nearly 20 sangha members inspected the building. If you weren’t able to join us, you can get a sense of the inside and outside here: https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/2509-Cedarwood-Ave-Bellingham-WA/25754442/
Our agent, Mike Parry, then began a negotiation with the owner to hopefully secure better terms, based on the inspection report. This 40+ year-old structure called for some critical repairs due to deferred maintenance. Of chief concern was the condition of the flat roof, in conjunction with the need to replace one of the two roof-mounted HVAC systems nearing the end of its life span (the other was replaced 2 years ago). The estimate for bringing both systems up to current standards for long-term structural integrity, health, and comfort was about $50,000. Mike did a masterful job of presenting these findings (and costs) to the owner with whom we will have a long-term relationship (since he is financing our purchase).
These negotiations resulted in two excellent outcomes: our final purchase price was reduced by $25,000 to $775,000 and our down payment amount was raised from 15% to 20%, resulting in a lower monthly payment schedule than originally agreed to. In addition, the current tenant in the east wing of the building will continue his lease. The net result, with many details yet to be resolved, will generate an income stream that will pay a good part of our monthly obligation. We are also in early discussion with Bellingham Insight Meditation Society (BIMS) about re-establishing their paid use of the dharma hall on a regular schedule. Since one of our fundamental goals in this home-seeking journey was to not burden younger and future sangha members with an unsupportable mortgage obligation, this is all very good news.
It also appears we will more than meet the city’s parking requirements with a recorded reciprocal use agreement with the neighboring property.
The board has appointed a “Design Advisory Committee” to evaluate the best ways to re-organize and use this new gathering place and to meet all health and safety standards while creating as welcoming and aesthetic space as possible (inside and out). The committee will provide the board with choices for alterative spatial arrangements, timing of improvements, and estimated costs. The design group will include sangha members Heidi Epstein, Robin Kucklick, Bob Penny, Richard Eggemeyer, and Bob Rose, with Shudo Chris Burkhart and Nomon Tim Burnett providing practice perspective.
Over the next weeks, the committee will create a schedule with multiple opportunities and ways for sangha members to provide input and ideas as we begin to imagine this new home. In the meantime, please contact me or other board members with ideas and concerns.
Three Bows-
Joden Bob Rose, RCZC Board President
boardpresident@redcedarzen.org
The 2023 Samish Sesshin will be June 23 - July 1, 2023.
The 2024 Samish Sesshin will be June 14 - June 22, 2024.
Final event details will be announced early each year, and registration normally opens in the spring.
You can find all past Summer Series talks on our Buddhist Psychology page.
We first heard of these from a post on the Branching Streams website.
Update: The Berkeley based Election Retreat team is hosting another online Letter Writing Retreat Sunday July 24, 10 am to 1 pm, PST. Forty-two people attended their July 10 retreat and wrote over 800 letters. You can register at this link. “Once again we’ll focus our efforts on Nevada, where a Congressional seat, a Senate seat, and a Governorship are all in play. Once you’ve registered, we’ll email you everything you need to participate, including letters, schedules, chants, etc.”
More info and a schedule of future retreats can be found HERE.
You can find them all here.
You can find all past Summer Series talks on our Buddhist Psychologypage.
Our Thursday evening talks will be devoted to an in depth study of the Yogacara Buddhist model of consciousness. Click to see the full schedule..
SCORE (Search Committee on Real Estate) UPDATE
Just after we returned from 8 days at Samish with 60 fellow dharma friends and our Guiding Teacher Zoketsu Norman Fischer, a property we just missed making an offer on earlier this year was miraculously re-listed. The 3, 750 sq. ft. commercial office building, located at 2509 Cedarwood in the Birchwood neighborhood (north Bellingham) was back on the market at $799,000.
On Friday, July 1, we offered the seller $800,000 and quite favorable down payment terms. He accepted our offer and countered with a seller-financing proposal with a lower interest rate than current bank charges and no bank loan fees. In an incredibly tight and competitive market with other offers in the wings, we accepted, subject to inspection and other necessary evaluations. We are now in a mutually binding contract with earnest money in escrow. We are scheduled for closing on August 15, all subject to the findings of our due diligence investigations over the next 3 weeks.
This is not yet a done deal. Subject to what we find out, we are not obligated to consummate this transaction. However, it appears to be a quite workable location for a zendo space with associated offices that will generate a steady income stream to help cover our mortgage. The currently leased office on the ground floor offers the opportunity to expand our zendo footprint in the future. Upstairs are two offices totaling 1,500 sq. ft. that will be immediately available for rent.
The largest section of the building (about 1300 sq feet) can work as a good basic zendo providing us with the essentials:
While not in the central part of Bellingham, as stipulated in our original search criteria, the building is on a high-frequency bus line (Route 50) from downtown, has 12 paved parking spaces, and is set back from the road with a large yard. Squalicum Creek and Cornwall Park are nearby, and the Birchwood neighborhood is a focus for City of Bellingham future investment.
As a religious organization, we must receive from the city a Conditional Use permit. During the estimated 6-month review and approval process we can happily continue to practice at BUF. while we carry out any interior modifications.
You can take a virtual tour here:
https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/2509-Cedarwood-Ave-Bellingham-WA/25754442/
OR you can join us tomorrow (July 7) at 5 PM for a tour of this building. If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Bob Rose @ basilbob1@gmail.com.
With most of our Practice Leaders away at sesshin this will be the schedule for June 19-27:
We'll pick up our One Day Sit schedule after the sesshin. Vegetarian breakfast and lunch will be served to in-person participants, and you can join us in our virtual zendo as well. There is a minimal registration fee to cover our costs.
More information and to register:
July 30th: Beginner's mind
August 27th: Opening to Joy
September 274h: No Gaining Idea
Red Cedar Zen Community is a 501(c) non-profit organization.
