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  • Remembering Marvin Mercer

    Published April 14th, 2008

    For those of you who remember him, Marvin Mercer came with Darlene during her first visit to Boundless Mind Zendo. Laura and Marvin also took their lay precepts together. Marvin recently died at the age of 81. This is the posting from San Francisco Zen Center, where he lived and practiced:

    Marvin Ray Mercer was born in Orange County, Florida on November 17, 1927. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters during his working life. He was ordained by Darlene Cohen on November 17, 2007 and was given the name Shinzan Yushin, which means “Deep Mountains, Companion of What is Real.” He served as Shuso [head student] at the Russian River Zendo in January of 2007. Close friend and RRZ sangha mate Lisa Hoffman remembers Marvin saying that the last 10 years of his life were his best, and that the happiest he’d ever been in his entire life were the last three years. Marvin had been a resident of City Center for many years, a quiet and steady behind-the-scenes presence, often filling in for the least favorite jobs around the temple, such as doing dishes on the weekends and keeping the zendo open during the twice yearly Interim weeks when most residents choose to sleep in. Along with Senior Dharma Teacher Zenkei Blanche Hartman and Lou Hartman, Marvin participated in/played the mokugyo for daily well-being ceremonies in City Center’s Buddha Hall.

    Marvin’s joy came from Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and his death reflected his joy — his small ICU room was packed with 30 people, who chanted, told him they loved him and who was waiting for him in the mystery. Darlene, recovering from a recent surgery, joined the group’s chanting via cell phone. Marvin’s rakusu and okesa were draped over him.

    On Saturday, March 22, 2008, at about 9:00 p.m., Marvin passed on to the great mystery. It was a peaceful passing. One of ICU nurses observed, “He is having a beautiful death”; he looks wonderful, radiant, and at ease. About that experience, Lisa Hoffman writes, “The doctors and nursing staff told us they had never seen anything like the sendoff we gave Marvin. When one nurse asked me if Marvin had family, I explained that he had one sister he had no contact with, and that we are his family. And she said, ‘What a loving family. And what a large family!’”

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