Metta for Washin and Ukraine

The zen sangha with which I took precepts, Treeleaf, is an entirely online sangha. Members live all over the world and meditate together over webcam. They've been pioneering internet-based practice for fifteen years or more. Strangely (to me, at least) this was considered a controversial approach, straight-up rejected and condemned by many Buddhist teachers, only to have the pandemic turn it into a universally accepted practice.

One of  people I most often sat zazen with is a priest named Washin from Odesa, Ukraine. He would be sitting to start his day while I was at the end of mine. Many times it would just be the two of us, sitting in silence and ending with gassho, a smile, and a friendly wave.

Along with millions of others, Washin is caught up in the shocks of the catastrophic Russian invasion. Treeleaf's abbot, Jundo Cohen, recently wrote about Washin’s situation in the Buddhist journal, Tricycle. Despite the perilous circumstances, Washin continues to lead weekly zazen practice.

I would appreciate you saying metta for Washin, and all the people affected by this terrible war.

May Washin be happy.
May Washin be well.
May Washin be safe.
May Washin be peaceful and at ease.

May all of Ukraine be happy.
May all of Ukraine be well.
May all of Ukraine be safe.
May all of Ukraine be peaceful and at ease.

May the Russian Army be happy.
May the Russian Army be well.
May the Russian Army be safe.
May the Russian Army be peaceful and at ease.

May Vladimir Putin be happy.
May Vladimir Putin be well.
May Vladimir Putin be safe.
May Vladimir Putin be peaceful and at ease.

Gassho.