The kitchen is the heart of every Zen center. A place of practice, the kitchen allows care and attention to flourish and dana to be expressed through offerings such as nutritious, delicious orkyoki meals served at sesshins as well as convivial Saturday tea and cookies.
Austin Zen Center’s crucial kitchen renovation project will allow the temple to better support large group kitchen practice, improve living conditions for residents, and provide a larger space for receptions.
“Handle even a single leaf of green in such a way that it manifests the body of the Buddha.”
The Remodeling Recipe
The renovation includes overhauling plumbing and electricity, replacing cabinets and appliances, and reconfiguring the shared kitchen-dining room space — all as cost effectively as possible. Planned enhancements include:
- New refrigeration, stovetop, oven(s) and a dishwasher that support adequate food storage and preparation for kitchen practice, such as during sesshins, as well as for resident kitchen practice
- Possibly opening up the shared kitchen/dining room space while retaining the fireplace
- Adequate ventilation and improved lighting
- Functional storage, sink area and work surfaces
- A revamped dining room to provide extra prep space as well as to better support gatherings like weekly tea and cookies, receptions following ceremonies, and resident meals
- All will be accomplished with professional contractors
The Kitchen Crew
A Kitchen Remodel Committee of sangha members will consolidate requirements, solicit proposals, coordinate the build, and communicate and fundraise with the sangha. All are available to meet with anyone who would like more information about this opportunity to support AZC’s offerings. Feel free to contact committee members individually or email AZC Remodel Committee remodel@austinzencenter.org with questions and suggestions.
Kitchen Remodel Committee Members
Shu Shuey (board president), Stephanie Sorn, Ernest Caple, Dawne Schomer, Choro Antonoccio, Jeb Boyt and Anne McCready Heinen.
Contact them at remodel@austinzencenter.org
“If [the cook] throws all his energy into whatever the situation truly calls for, then both the activity and the method by which he carries it out will naturally work to nurture the seeds of the buddhadharma.”
The Ingredients
A capital campaign to raise at least $80,000 will enable this project to hopefully be completed this summer. Every and any contribution will support this important practice of dharma at AZC.
For Up-To-Date Information
Check out the Kitchen Remodel News blog at austinzencenter.org/kitchen-