Retreat in United States

[Jundo]

PORTION HIGHLIGHTED TURNED OUT THE BE FALSE RUMOR. SEE MY FOLLOW-UP POSTING BELOW!


Let me mention that I plan to announce, and start making arrangements to visit our members during, my "Dharma Drive Across America". I will do that in a few days. Again, in making the announcement, I will make it clear that I will only visit people who have a good reason why they cannot participate in the Washington Retreat. I will try to encourage people to attend Washington if they can.

August will be an eventful month!

By the way, just back from Roshi's Wake (last night) and funeral (today). It was a sweet time, without about 50 or so of Roshi's Japanese students coming, and Peter Rocca, Gerhard Wolfram and I representing the foreign students. Although the family wanted a standard Soto-shu funeral, the priest was very nice and very clearly made the funeral in the name of "Nishijima Gudo Wafu Osho" each time his name appeared during the chanting, and after explained that he had performed a funeral for a priest.

There is an issue that Soto-shu deregistered Roshi while he was sick for failing to pay some fees! While we don't really care about what Soto-shu does, several of the Japanese Dharma Heirs want to press the issue with Soto-shu, and asked me to do so with Soto-shu USA. I intend to do so. Even though Soto-shu means nothing, I also do not want them to treat Roshi lightly.

It was a lovely two days. Many familiar old faces.

Gassho, J

[Myosha]

Hello,

Thanks for the moment-view of the wake/funeral.

Deregistered. Hmmmmm.

Hope Soto-shu wakes up.

Will attend Washington if possible.


Gassho,
Myosha

[Jundo]

Hello,

Thanks for the moment-view of the wake/funeral.

Deregistered. Hmmmmm.

Hope Soto-shu wakes up.

Will attend Washington if possible.


Gassho,
Myosha

Yes. Apparently for failing to pay some "annual dues" to them while he was in a near coma the last several years.

Gassho, J

[Dosho]

Thanks for the info Jundo and deep bows to the presiding priest at the funeral.

I think I'll keep my thoughts on the Soto-shu to myself and chant the verse of atonement a few times.

Gassho,
Dosho

[Shugen]

Thank You for the Update Jundo.

Gassho

[Shokai]

Thank you Jundo; our thoughts are with all who mourn the passing of a beloved teacher this day.
And be thankful you are not driving in 18 inches of snow as we are today.
gassho, Shokai

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[Genshin]

Thank you Jundo. Surprised and disgusted by the whole "deregistered" situation.

Gassho
Matt

[Dosho]

Thanks for the heads up for the security forms, been awhile since I traveled state side (2006)and had no clue!

Shohei,

I am far from an authority, but I do believe Myozan is correct that the US and Canada have different border crossing arrangements than with other countries. Check this site for more info:

http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/eng_map.html

In New York we have an "enhanced drivers license" you can get to make border crossings easier (I plan to get one). Some Canadian provinces have the same thing; I don't know about New Brunswick. If they don't, I believe the site above indicates that a valid Canadian passport is sufficient to gain entry to the US via land or sea. But check with local authorities!

I hope that is helpful.

Gassho,
Dosho

P.S. Here is a more comprehensive website that seems to agree with what I stated above: http://canada.usembassy.gov/visas.html

[TimF]

I would love to attend the retreat but I do not know this far in advance if I will be able to do so. Sounds like it will be a great experience to attend!

Gassho,
Tim

[Shohei]

Thanks Dosho!
Ill check it all out, I am tidying up another trip around the sun in a couple of weeks and its time for me to renew my driver's license and I will also apply for my passport again (it ran out 2 years ago). Not that long ago driving across the boarder did not require more than a brief chat and a check of your ID.

Gassho
Shohei

[Dosho]

Thanks Dosho!
Ill check it all out, I am tidying up another trip around the sun in a couple of weeks and its time for me to renew my driver's license and I will also apply for my passport again (it ran out 2 years ago). Not that long ago driving across the boarder did not require more than a brief chat and a check of your ID.

Those were the days when you didn't feel like going into Canada (or vice versa) was a big deal. People going to work across the line, going to a baseball game, whatever! When I was a kid we had a field trip to Montreal and we didn't even have any ID; they let us go through. Now it's changed so much because of 9/11. My folks were coming back into the US recently and the person at the booth asked my Dad, rather accusingly, why he was going to a particular town. My Dad replied that he lived there, like it says on his ID. She just gave it back to him not saying a word.

Times, they are a changin'.

Gassho,
Dosho

[Jakudo]

Here in Ontario when crossing the border all we need is a valid passport, we have never had an issue.

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[Mp]

Here in BC we have the advanced drivers licence as well and I used it when I drove to Seattle once with no issues, but that was a few years ago. When I checked they recommend a passport if driving and one must have a passport if flying into the US.

Gassho
Shingen

[Shokai]

Actually, you can use a Nexus card

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[Mp]

Actually, you can use a Nexus card

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That's good to know Shokai, thank you. =)

Gassho
Shingen