The Pluralism Project at Harvard UniversityCenter Profile
Southwind Sangha Sōtō Zen Association (2008)
Zen (Buddhism)
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Description
Advisory Note
This center, located in Wichita, Kansas, lies outside the area defined in our project title, "World Religions in Northeast Kansas." We hope to add other Wichita centers in the future.Description
The Southwind Sangha is located in the First Unitarian Universalist Church, a colonial-style building with a white exterior and a colonnaded porch. A room on the second floor, reached through the building's east door, houses the Southwind Sangha. The First Unitarian Universalist Church and the Southwind Sangha maintain close contact with each other.Upstairs there is a shoe changing room that doubles as a nursery for the church. A bulletin board in this room displays Buddhism-related items such as comic strips, articles, and magazine clippings. A closet in a corner houses the lending library of books, movies, and other tools for learning about Buddhism. Information packets are available for people who are considering undertaking Buddhist practice. Down the hall from the shoe changing room is the zendo, the room for chanting, Dharma readings, teaching, and sitting and walking meditation. This room is painted a soothing light blue and has a wood floor covered by a small rug. Cushions lie along the edges of the room, and one wall holds artwork by spiritual advisor Elliston-Roshi. Nearby ceramic bowls are used for chanting. On another wall are the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. Printed cards help visitors follow the chants.
History
The Southwind Sangha Sōtō Zen Association started out as a small meditation group in the early 1990s and has blossomed into a Zen Buddhist sitting group. The group affiliated with the Atlanta Sōtō Zen Center in 1997. Zenkai Taiun Michael Elliston-Roshi founded the Atlanta Center, one of the largest non-residential Zen centers in the United States, in the 1970s. The web site contains the further lineage of the Southwind Sangha.Activities and Schedule
The center's activities naturally center around meditation and teaching. Zazen (sitting meditation), kinhin (walking meditation), and chanting are available weekly, and zazen instructions for newcomers, extended Dharma talks, and meditation retreats occur monthly. Spiritual advisor Michael Elliston-Roshi visits twice a year. For details, see the website.Demographics
The membership’s ethnic composition is primarily Caucasian, with a few Asians and African-Americans. The age range is from 18 to 75, with the most numerous age group being 40-60. The usual language is English, except for special events when scholars or advanced practitioners chant in Japanese.Other Information
The Sangha and the Unitarian Universalist church do an admirable job of sharing the building and coordinating their schedules. Members of the Sangha enjoy each other's company and often gather for a meal after meditation.Date Center Founded
1993 (the group), 1997 (the center)
Religious Leader and Title
Zenkai Taiun Michael Elliston-Roshi, Sensei and Abbot, Atlanta Soto Zen Center
Lay Leader and Title
Kathryn Spies, Senior Teacher
Membership
15 people
Ethnic Composition
Primarily Caucasian with a few Asians or African-Americans
Affiliation with Other Communities/Organizations
Atlanta Soto Zen Center