[Downtown Dharma Sangha Listserv] Sangha Activity - Sakura Haiku Walk | April 12

Hello!

It's spring! Why not take a deep breath, get together with some sangha pals, and write haiku about delicate little cherry blossoms?

What: Please join us for our Spring 2025 Sakura Haiku Walk at the US National Arboretum! Among the cherry blossoms, participants will receive a brief lesson on how to write haiku and then practice writing and sharing haiku with each other. (Haiku are short, accessible poems that typically evoke nature and contemplation of the present moment. Find examples of famous haiku here.)

When: Saturday, April 12, 1-3pm (I will inform the sangha listserv and RSVP'd participants at least 24 hours in advance if the event will be canceled due to inclement weather.)

Where: We will meet at 1pm near the Holly & Magnolia Parking Lot at the US National Arboretum and walk to the Flowering Trees Collection. Later, we will walk to the Asian Collections and eventually back to the parking lot. See the tentative route at the bottom of this email.

Who: Please RSVP via Partiful. If you can't/don't want to use Partiful, please email me directly to reserve your spot. Spaces are first-come-first-serve and limited to not overwhelm the Arboretum during its busy season. Can't come anymore? Please update your RSVP, so we can pull from the waitlist! This event is best suited for people who feel comfortable walking on uneven terrain for a total of about 1.5 miles.

How: No experience necessary! We will go over simple instructions on how to write haiku, and a handout on haiku will be provided. Please bring a pen and a notebook/paper.

Why: While haiku is not a strictly Buddhist form of poetry, haiku and Zen are closely linked historically and thematically. Haiku relies on the senses and encourages contemplation of the present moment, so both new and experienced meditators may enjoy practicing haiku as a way to engage with mindfulness.

<3 Jude

Route: We will be meeting in the Holly & Magnolia Parking Lot (1), walking to the Flowering Trees Collection (2) for a haiku lesson, and then moving to the Asia Collections (3) before heading back to the parking lot (1).