Web Picks: The editors choice of e dharma

The White Wind Zen Community
The website of the White Wind Zen Community can be found at http://www.wwzc.org
The WWZC is described as the "Sangha of students practising under the direction of Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi at the Zen Centre of Ottawa (Honzan Dainen-ji) and its branch practice groups or centres." This is a Soto zen Sangha, so there is quite a lot of emphasis on scripture and precepts, and a lot of reference to Dogen. The refreshing direct Zen approach comes through loud and clear.

This website is regularly updated. A variety of dharma talks and other materials are available. This Sangha offers a long distance training program with regular email contact with a dharma teacher. While email lacks even the interpersonal cues provided by voice, it is cheap and available to anyone who can get to an internet connection once a week. I could see this working for some students, at least well enough to persuade them to travel for retreats, or move within reach of a live teacher. I visit this web site regularly when I feel the need for fresh written inspiration.

West Coast Dharma Society
The website of the West Coast Dharma Society can be found at http://www.westcoastdharma.org/HomeWDS.html
This is a great site if you want to know about Vipassana and metta retreats at the Asian center at UBC. Accomodation is available on campus so this is within reach from Prince George. There are also links to information about residential Vipassana retreats held elsewhere.