[Submitted by Enmei Hunter, Chicago]
The weekend of March 9th and 10th I traveled with Moore Roshi to Brooklyn Aikikai, a non-profit center where Zen, Misogi, Aikido and Iaido are taught, for an Introduction to Zen seminar. I have developed several friendships with Brooklyn Aikikai's members due to my practice of Aikido and have always been impressed by their dedication and commitment, led by their chief instructor Robert (Ryugan) Savoca Sensei. In many ways, Savoca Sensei and Moore Roshi remind me of one another with their focus on intense training and development. Visiting Brooklyn Aikikai always leaves me with a lesson on how I want to practice and live my life.
The seminar began with a traditional lunch of miso soup and rice, eaten in silence with full attention being given to the activity at hand. Afterwards, Moore Roshi provided the 25 participants basic instruction in zazen with an emphasis on posture, breathing and method. After the first period of zazen, he provided more in-depth instruction on tanden kokyuho, the hara-centered breathing which is the foundation of our practice. Participants learned a practical, 5-step method for developing and refining this way of breathing. Roshi also provided instruction on how to receive the keisaku and for reinvigorating one's meditation. More zazen practice then allowed the participants to put all these things into practice. The seminar ended with okyo (chanting) and the spirit of the group came through very clearly in the tone and energy during the chants.
The evening closed with a potluck that gave everyone a chance to meet and develop new friendships. After this, participants showed that training never stops as they pitched in to clean and return the dojo to its proper form.
I am grateful for every opportunity I have to train with others interested in Zen and thank everyone at Brooklyn Aikikai for hosting this event. If you are interested in Zen practice or other traditional ways of mind-body development in the Brooklyn, NY area, please see Brooklyn Aikikai's site here.
March 15, 2012
March 8, 2012
Book group on Sundays at Daiyuzenji
The book group meeting at Daiyuzenji in Chicago after Sunday morning sitting is now in full swing, with a read-through and discussion of Paul William's "Buddhist Thought: A Complete Introduction to the Indian Tradition" (available on Amazon). From Miller Roshi: "We are currently undertaking a systematic survey of Buddhist thought as it developed in India. We're just starting a study of Mahayana writings, those elements that form the conceptual basis for much of Zen practice."
Participants are welcome to join the group at any point. For the Daiyuzenji Sunday schedule, take a look here.
Participants are welcome to join the group at any point. For the Daiyuzenji Sunday schedule, take a look here.
March 7, 2012
Recent interfaith dialogue and internal training seminar
[Submitted by Kristen Radtke, Chicago]
On Thursday, Feb. 16 Moore Roshi participated in an interfaith discussion at Sheil Catholic Center in Evanston, IL. The event began with a brief presentation given from the Catholic perspective on the common ground between Christianity and Buddhism, emphasizing the work of Thomas Merton and the Catholic Church's position on the worth of other religious traditions expressed during the Second Vatican Council. Moore Roshi then spoke about Zen from a practitioner's perspective, sharing his story of being drawn to religion at an early age, eventually landing within Zen as a tradition rich in methods of facing the fundamental human existential questions. After some 30 minutes of dialogue, he made the final statement, "To me, it is perhaps not so important what religion you follow, but what sort of person you become through it. If you have some insight, experience or belief but fail to integrate it into your being, into your interactions with other people, what good is it?" Heads bobbed in agreement around the room, and participants affirmed that the goals of their different traditions were not different in terms of how they call us to become and act within the world, rather than to simply follow or believe. The evening concluded with basic instruction in zazen and a brief period of group practice.
This past Sunday, March 4, Daiyuzenji in Chicago hosted an Internal Training seminar also led by Moore Roshi. He began by lecturing on the intent and contents of the internal training curriculum, and then gave several hours of detailed instruction on tanden kokyuho, the hara-centered breathing and energetic cultivation method which is fundamental to our practice of meditation. Hakuin's naikan no ho and nanso ho ho methods were then taught, followed by self- massage and the 16 primary breathing forms from the Do-in Ho section of the curriculum. Donations from this event benefited the Korinji monastery building fund, and nearly $900 was raised: thank you to the participants from Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan who came!
On Thursday, Feb. 16 Moore Roshi participated in an interfaith discussion at Sheil Catholic Center in Evanston, IL. The event began with a brief presentation given from the Catholic perspective on the common ground between Christianity and Buddhism, emphasizing the work of Thomas Merton and the Catholic Church's position on the worth of other religious traditions expressed during the Second Vatican Council. Moore Roshi then spoke about Zen from a practitioner's perspective, sharing his story of being drawn to religion at an early age, eventually landing within Zen as a tradition rich in methods of facing the fundamental human existential questions. After some 30 minutes of dialogue, he made the final statement, "To me, it is perhaps not so important what religion you follow, but what sort of person you become through it. If you have some insight, experience or belief but fail to integrate it into your being, into your interactions with other people, what good is it?" Heads bobbed in agreement around the room, and participants affirmed that the goals of their different traditions were not different in terms of how they call us to become and act within the world, rather than to simply follow or believe. The evening concluded with basic instruction in zazen and a brief period of group practice.
This past Sunday, March 4, Daiyuzenji in Chicago hosted an Internal Training seminar also led by Moore Roshi. He began by lecturing on the intent and contents of the internal training curriculum, and then gave several hours of detailed instruction on tanden kokyuho, the hara-centered breathing and energetic cultivation method which is fundamental to our practice of meditation. Hakuin's naikan no ho and nanso ho ho methods were then taught, followed by self- massage and the 16 primary breathing forms from the Do-in Ho section of the curriculum. Donations from this event benefited the Korinji monastery building fund, and nearly $900 was raised: thank you to the participants from Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan who came!
March 1, 2012
First 2012 Korinji work weekend: 3/31-4/1
The first work weekend at Korinji is set for the weekend of March 31-April 1. Our plans this year are to complete the zendo interior, beginning with electrical and insulation. We'll also continue to develop the Korinji grounds, and of course there is always a great deal of clean-up and trail repair after a long winter. Volunteers are welcome!
To see some images from the end of last year's work season, go here. To volunteer or sign up on Korinji's email list and receive future work weekend and event announcements, please go here.
To see some images from the end of last year's work season, go here. To volunteer or sign up on Korinji's email list and receive future work weekend and event announcements, please go here.
February 20, 2012
Internal Training seminar March 4th in Chicago
A one-day seminar instructing the Internal Training curriculum practiced at Daiyuzenji, Korinji and the practice groups of the Rinzai Zen Community will be held at Daiyuzenji in Chicago on March 4th, 12-5pm. Methods of cultivating and circulating energy, massage for clearing energetic and physical obstructions, movement/breathing exercises, and methods of "forging" the center will be taught. The Naikan no Ho and Nanso no Ho methods of Hakuin will be instructed in detail.
Proceeds benefit the Korinji monastery building fund: $65.00 for Rinzai Zen Community members, $75.00 for others. Please RSVP to info@daiyuzenji.org.
For more information on our Internal Training curriculum, please see this page on the RZC site.
Proceeds benefit the Korinji monastery building fund: $65.00 for Rinzai Zen Community members, $75.00 for others. Please RSVP to info@daiyuzenji.org.
For more information on our Internal Training curriculum, please see this page on the RZC site.
January 18, 2012
2012 events (including sesshin)
Most of the 2012 schedule of Rinzai Zen Community events, including sesshin sponsored by Daiyuzenji and Korinji, has been posted on the RZC site here. Registration for the April 12-15 sesshin is also now open, and can be found here.
A number of important upcoming events are shown on the calendar. Instructional seminars in Chicago dealing with our Internal Training curriculum, and specifically with Hojo, have been scheduled. You'll also find meeting dates for the Chicago-area practice groups. Please take a look, and we hope to see our distant members at a sesshin or other event very soon!
A number of important upcoming events are shown on the calendar. Instructional seminars in Chicago dealing with our Internal Training curriculum, and specifically with Hojo, have been scheduled. You'll also find meeting dates for the Chicago-area practice groups. Please take a look, and we hope to see our distant members at a sesshin or other event very soon!
December 16, 2011
The Rinzai Zen Community
For some time now we've been using the name "Rinzai Zen Community" for the network of practice groups and practitioners anchored by Korinji and Daiyuzenji. Now RZC has its own site: http://www.rinzaizen.org.
While the Daiyuzenji and Korinji sites will remain focused on the events and doings of each temple, the RZC site is evolving to be the main resource for our sangha's members. A password-protected page provides access to various practice aids- instructional videos, downloadable docs, a "Contact a Teacher" function, and so on - for our members only. Our first batch of videos, including clips instructing basic zazen and breathing, will be posted shortly.
If you currently donate regularly to Daiyuzenji, Korinji or one of our practice groups, congratulations: you're already an RZC member. Go to the RZC site, click on "Become a Member", fill out the information and RZC will register you.
If you're not currently a member please take a look at the RZC site. We're excited to see our community grow and hope that RZC will serve to open our practice to many, many others...distant as well as near.
While the Daiyuzenji and Korinji sites will remain focused on the events and doings of each temple, the RZC site is evolving to be the main resource for our sangha's members. A password-protected page provides access to various practice aids- instructional videos, downloadable docs, a "Contact a Teacher" function, and so on - for our members only. Our first batch of videos, including clips instructing basic zazen and breathing, will be posted shortly.
If you currently donate regularly to Daiyuzenji, Korinji or one of our practice groups, congratulations: you're already an RZC member. Go to the RZC site, click on "Become a Member", fill out the information and RZC will register you.
If you're not currently a member please take a look at the RZC site. We're excited to see our community grow and hope that RZC will serve to open our practice to many, many others...distant as well as near.
December 13, 2011
Korinji stove, doors
Two shots from our last work weekend in November. Greg Dekker, Jim Mills and myself were on site at Korinji to accomplish several things: high on our list were a final battening down of the work site before winter and some cleanup following a violent windstorm which had dropped some trees across the property. But more exciting: our zendo wood burning stove and our Amish-built main doors were all ready to install.
The stove is rated to heat up to 2500 square feet...more than enough for this space. The latest wood burners are small and extremely efficient. It barely fills one corner of the main space but puts out a surprising amount of heat. With insulation and ceiling fans we'll be in good shape. Our doors are 8' red oak, crafted by Abe Bontrager from LaValle, WI. Finished locally, they came out beautifully. Here is a view of the mounted doors from the inside. It was too dark by the time we were finished to get many good outside shots, but we'll remedy that soon.
We're in the midst of setting next year's work schedule at Korinji and will announce it shortly.
December 5, 2011
Rohatsu lecture in Chicago
The Japanese word Rohatsu literally means the 8th day of the 12th month. This day is the one traditionally viewed as marking the attainment of enlightenment by Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha. Across the Zen world, practitioners are undertaking a period of particularly rigorous training this week to commemorate this event. It culminates with the rising of the morning star on the 8th.
A public Zen lecture will be offered at Daiyuzenji temple in Chicago on the evening of the 8th (this Thursday) by So'zan Miller Roshi, the Daiyuzenji abbot. Please join us! Start time is 7:15pm, and the suggested donation is $10. Tea will be served.
If you'd like to attend, please RSVP to: info@daiyuzenji.org.
A public Zen lecture will be offered at Daiyuzenji temple in Chicago on the evening of the 8th (this Thursday) by So'zan Miller Roshi, the Daiyuzenji abbot. Please join us! Start time is 7:15pm, and the suggested donation is $10. Tea will be served.
If you'd like to attend, please RSVP to: info@daiyuzenji.org.
November 7, 2011
Zen practice group in Ann Arbor
The Rinzai Zen Community welcomes the practice group at Huron Valley Aikikai in Ann Arbor, Michigan under the leadership of Tozan (Rodger) Park Sensei.
Tozan is a long-time Zen practitioner and a good friend. He's also been very supportive of our work at Korinji - you'll see him in quite a few of the work crew photos. If you'd like a place to practice in Ann Arbor please check them out.
Tozan is a long-time Zen practitioner and a good friend. He's also been very supportive of our work at Korinji - you'll see him in quite a few of the work crew photos. If you'd like a place to practice in Ann Arbor please check them out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)