Maria Kannon Zen Center

The Sangha members of the Maria Kannon Zen Center of Dallas list the following opportunities to offer services to the larger community and to provide activities with groups of common interests.

Nursing Home Visitation

The Tuesday Meditation group occasionally visits nursing homes after Zazen, which is from 11:30 to 1:00 PM. Please speak to the monitor if you have items to contribute or a favorite nursing home to visit.

Dallas Area Interfaith (DAI) http://www.dallasareainterfaith.org/

DAI is an association of 'faith communities', including MKZC, working together as people of action to shape their communities for the common good of all. Our Sangha has much to offer this organization in the way of leadership on societal issues such as environmental stewardship, that can benefit individuals participating in DAI and their families The current five-point DAI agenda includes Health Care, Immigration, Education, Public Safety, and Southern Dallas Sector Development.

Any individual members of these faith communities may attend the monthly meetings and caucuses that are regularly held on the third Thursday from 7 to 8:30 PM on the premises of one of the member communities. DAI can also use individual volunteers according your interest and talents, such as updating their web site.

Interfaith Environmental Alliance (IEA) web site and blog http://www.IEA-NTx.org

Organized by a member of MKZC, this group of faith communities addresses critical environmental problems. Individuals and member congregations are urged to participate in the Congregational Covenant program explained at www.BreathofLifeTx.org , as well as to support an informed agenda of responsible environmental actions. In addition to what our executive director has already done by changing interior lamp bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), recycling kitchen garbage and joining the City of Dallas recycling program, there are many other things we all can do to be environmentally responsible at our Zen Center property, as well as individually at our own homes and work places.

Stewardship of our home & planet

Go to E.P.A.’s web site to take your own 'carbon footprint', and to find ways to reduce it.. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/calculator/ind_calculator.html
Choose a renewable energy provider at a competitive price by entering your zip code at http://www.powertochoose.org/ or call 1.866.797.4839 for assistance.
Change indoor lights to Compact Fluorescent (CFL) or LED to save energy. Shield outdoor lights to reduce glare and aim them downward. Turn lights off when you go to bed or install motion sensors, saving close to 100% energy.
Do not use the highly inefficient Mercury Vapor lights, and dispose of mercury-filled lights such as MV, CFL, batteries, and other chemicals at Home Chemical Collection Center (HC3) on Plano Rd. in Dallas. Call 214.553.1765 for information.
Turn the heat down and air conditioning up; then adjust your clothing and blankets accordingly. Insulate attics, wall sockets, doors and windows.
Participate in recycling programs. For Dallas city-wide collection from single family homes and up to four metered units (quadriplexes), go to http://www.dallascityhall.com /html/recycling or call (214) 670-4475 OR 3-1-1 to request a free 96 gallon recycling roll-cart or use blue or clear bags. Compost kitchen waste at home and at the Zendo in a special container, or dig a hole and bury it.
Redirect your downspouts with plastic adapters and extension drip hoses, available at home improvement stores, and water your garden with rainwater. Turn off water faucets and reuse water when possible. Use native and adapted plants that require minimal water. Plant native trees for shade. If you have to water, water deeply so the roots grow deeper. Mulch beds with fallen leaves.

For more information, please send e-mail using our zenhelp address.





	about zen bookstore members area zen journal community service links MKZC P.O. Box 270494 Dallas TX 75227-0494 Tel: 214-388-1122 zenhelp@mkzc.org	The Sangha members of the Maria Kannon Zen Center of Dallas list the following opportunities to offer services to the larger community and to provide activities with groups of common interests. Nursing Home Visitation The Tuesday Meditation group occasionally visits nursing homes after Zazen, which is from 11:30 to 1:00 PM. Please speak to the monitor if you have items to contribute or a favorite nursing home to visit. Dallas Area Interfaith (DAI) http://www.dallasareainterfaith.org/ DAI is an association of 'faith communities', including MKZC, working together as people of action to shape their communities for the common good of all. Our Sangha has much to offer this organization in the way of leadership on societal issues such as environmental stewardship, that can benefit individuals participating in DAI and their families The current five-point DAI agenda includes Health Care, Immigration, Education, Public Safety, and Southern Dallas Sector Development. Any individual members of these faith communities may attend the monthly meetings and caucuses that are regularly held on the third Thursday from 7 to 8:30 PM on the premises of one of the member communities. DAI can also use individual volunteers according your interest and talents, such as updating their web site. Interfaith Environmental Alliance (IEA) web site and blog http://www.IEA-NTx.org Organized by a member of MKZC, this group of faith communities addresses critical environmental problems. Individuals and member congregations are urged to participate in the Congregational Covenant program explained at www.BreathofLifeTx.org , as well as to support an informed agenda of responsible environmental actions. In addition to what our executive director has already done by changing interior lamp bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), recycling kitchen garbage and joining the City of Dallas recycling program, there are many other things we all can do to be environmentally responsible at our Zen Center property, as well as individually at our own homes and work places. Stewardship of our home & planet Go to E.P.A.’s web site to take your own 'carbon footprint', and to find ways to reduce it.. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/calculator/ind_calculator.html Choose a renewable energy provider at a competitive price by entering your zip code at http://www.powertochoose.org/ or call 1.866.797.4839 for assistance. Change indoor lights to Compact Fluorescent (CFL) or LED to save energy. Shield outdoor lights to reduce glare and aim them downward. Turn lights off when you go to bed or install motion sensors, saving close to 100% energy. Do not use the highly inefficient Mercury Vapor lights, and dispose of mercury-filled lights such as MV, CFL, batteries, and other chemicals at Home Chemical Collection Center (HC3) on Plano Rd. in Dallas. Call 214.553.1765 for information. Turn the heat down and air conditioning up; then adjust your clothing and blankets accordingly. Insulate attics, wall sockets, doors and windows. Participate in recycling programs. For Dallas city-wide collection from single family homes and up to four metered units (quadriplexes), go to http://www.dallascityhall.com /html/recycling or call (214) 670-4475 OR 3-1-1 to request a free 96 gallon recycling roll-cart or use blue or clear bags. Compost kitchen waste at home and at the Zendo in a special container, or dig a hole and bury it. Redirect your downspouts with plastic adapters and extension drip hoses, available at home improvement stores, and water your garden with rainwater. Turn off water faucets and reuse water when possible. Use native and adapted plants that require minimal water. Plant native trees for shade. If you have to water, water deeply so the roots grow deeper. Mulch beds with fallen leaves. For more information, please send e-mail using our zenhelp address.