Gratitude

I remember when Beth Potter brought an armload of ceramic bowls and cups to the Madison Dojo. With her usual big, easy smile and humble manner, she said that she made them and was donating them to the dojo.

At first I didn’t know what to say. They weren’t exactly of the Zen aesthetic and nothing like the Chosei-yaki that we had pulled out of the anagama kiln at the Spring Green Dojo. They were quite heavy and blocky. But each one was also unique, quirky, and colorful, just like Beth.

After perhaps an awkward pause, I said thanks and probably something like “We will put them to good use”.

Many months later, during the online Summer Sesshin, I had the opportunity to help with meals at the Madison Dojo for a small group - one Roshi and 2 student participants. The dojo kitchen was given a partial makeover, and the old industrial stove was ready for work, having been revived by Whitelaw Roshi and a dedicated crew of Zen students. What was missing was the Chosei-yaki serving bowls. We had hoped to have an inventory of wood-fired ceramics to use for sesshin, but the anagama kiln was still in disrepair. All that we had were those chunky, bright bowls that Beth dropped off several months before she died.

Every single one of those bowls was used during sesshin. Each time I picked up and used one of her bowls I was having an interaction with Beth - an interaction that transcends time and space, life and death.

It made me feel gratitude that she gave us those bowls and that she was there, participating in sesshin with the Chosei Zen community.

Thank you, Beth.