News Archive 2006
Great Sangha Gathering, Ameland
January 16 - 25 2007
with Genpo Merzel Roshi & his successors
Genno Roshi, Tenkei Roshi, Malgosia Sensei, Nico Sensei, Doen Sensei, Genshin Sensei & Musho Sensei
Click here for the .pdf brochure
We are very happy to announce that the November fundraiser did reach it targeted total of 5000 Euro, and donations are still coming in. The scheduled sanitary renovations in the old wing of the building are almost finished now. Next will be upgrading the showers in the new wing with proper exhaust fans and new hardware. Of course Zen River can only finance a project like this because all labor is freely donated. The fundraiser will be used to cover expenses on material, which luckily enough it comfortably does!!! Thank you all very much for your continuous support. Waiting List in effect
Winter Ango December 1 - March 3
Weekend Sesshin February 10 -11, 2007
Winter Ango will begin December 1 with Rohatsu sesshin. Ango is an intensive three-months training period, the format of which goes back to Shakyamuni Buddha's time. During the rainy season he and his disciples would halt their wandering mendicant life-style to live and practice together. An important element of Ango in our tradition is that one of the ordained monks is asked to take on the position of Shuso (head-monk), a rite of passage that involves fulfilling certain responsibilities in the temple and learning to officiate daily services. At Zen River, Ango is held once a year and mirrors the Summer Month-long during which a lay-practioner is given a similar position.
Manuel Jitsushin Kölker
During this Winter Ango Manuel Jitsushin Kölker has been appointed Shuso. Full time as well as part time participation is possible. Special events are Rohatsu, the New Year's sesshin, a Zazenkai, a Weekend sesshin and the Winter Closing sesshin. Shuso Hossen (concluding ceremony during which the Shuso gives a talk and challenges participants in dharma-combat) is scheduled on Saturday March 3 at 16:00 hrs Everybody welcome! Rohatsu runs December 1 - 8. It is often considered the most significant sesshin of the year, as it celebrates Buddha's enlightenment on December 8. On that day Buddhist practitioners from all over the world sit in meditation to commemorate this event. It is an interesting feature of Zen River's schedule that we start Ango with this sesshin. Next on the programme is the Weekend sesshin of February 10 - 11, Arrival time Friday evening before 9:00 pm and ending Sunday at 6:00 pm.
Autumn Sesshin UK
November 4- November 9, 2006
led by Tenkei Roshi
assisted by Genshin Sensei
Group photo after Jukai, received by Caroline Teiko (faithful illumination, or reliable light) Whitehead & Adrian Kaizen (unfolding zen) Sichel
Jukai ceremony in the Zendo at Dukes Barn
Genshin Sensei with Isshin Dennys after the first service in the future zendo at Kannon-ji, Bilsborrow, Preston, Lancs. The garage will need some work to turn it into a functional zendo.If any sangha members would like to get in touch, please let us know.
Tokudo Ceremony
On October 11th, Wynn Seishin and Mike Daijo Wright received shukke tokudo (monk ordination) from Tenkei Roshi. Congratulations!
See the Fall newletter for more details!
Jukai Sesshin
Jukai was received by Mark Shoin Hasper, Helma Jifu Vulink, Patrizia Kojin Nestby, Kees Ryotan Oosterholt, Evert Dainei Berga.
Congratulations!
Roadworks into Uithuizen & other things
September-December 2006
Construction is underway on the fields next to Zen River.
Once the Wierde (small hill) is completed in December, it will be left to rest for one year. Only then can the 12 homes be built on it
(Lots are already for sale through the local government)
To the right, the pond-to-be already starts to fill with water.
For now, there is a fortunate wall of dirt shielding Zen River from the noise and work activity!
Until December if you come to Zen River by car from direction Groningen there are some roadworks going on as you enter the village .
From Groningen: As you enter Uithuizen take a right at the harbor (instead of left onto the J. Cohenstraat / Kennedylaan) and drive straight until you cross the train tracks and reach the main road. There take a left and drive straight until the roundabout. At the roundabout turn left. Drive straight until you come to an intersection where there is some construction on your left on the Kennedylaan and Maarweg. At Maarweg turn right. Take the first right on Oldorpsterweg and Zen River is the first building on the left.
If Oldorpsterweg / Maarweg is closed due to construction, (which might be likely in the coming months) it is possible to take a shortcut through the Ripperdadrift housing estate from Kennedylaan.
Click for larger image
Autumn Sesshin UK
November 4- November 9, 2006
led by Tenkei Roshi
assisted by Genshin Sensei
As a special guest, Nancy Genshin Gabrysch Sensei will assist Tenkei Roshi in teaching at this years sesshin. Genshin Sensei received Shiho from Genpo Roshi last May and recently returned to live in England after many years of residential Zen training with him. Her condition is still fragile as she is recovering from a stroke, but she is very happy see everyone!at
Dukes Barn
School Lane, Beeley, Matlock
Derbyshire, DE4 2NU
Saturday November 4, 2006, 7:30 pm Dharma Talk
Central Library Theatre, SheffieldWe are happy to announce that Tenkei Roshi will give a public Dharma talk at the Central Library Theatre, in Sheffield. This informal evening is open to everyone. Entry: £4.00.
For more information contact Bob Bowles Tel. + 44 (0) 114-2582729
Zazenkai
A Day of Zen
September 6 , 2006 Uithuizen
October 3, 2006 Duesseldorf
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The next Zazenkai (Day of Zen) will take place on September 6, 2006 , 9:30 am - 17:30 pm. These Zazenkai's have become popular as an introduction into practice for new-comers as well as an opportunity for old-timers to refresh their basic zazen skills. Zazenkai gift certificates, interesting presents for family or friends, are available from the office.
For information on the October 3 Zazenkai in Germany held at Zen Zentrum Düsseldorf, Bastionstraße 31, Hofgebäude, Düsseldorf, Germany. Contact Christian & Marcela Wolkahof
For information on the annual April Zazenkai in Madrid, please contact Jorge Lopez-Doriga for more information at Tel. +34-915647282 or Tel.+34-680447291
Sesshin Sosnowka
Sosnowka
Small pilgrimage to the three places where the sanghas have met over the years
(L-R Tammy, Tenkei Roshi, Jaap, Andrjez, Genno Roshi, Joke, Nico Sensei, Myriam)
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The mill at Przesieka
Przesieka, now a retreat center
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This September, Tenkei Roshi, Tammy and Robert travelled to Poland to participate in the last few days of sesshin in Sosnowka led by Malgosia Sensei. Genno Roshi and Nico Sensei were also there. Sosnowka was the village where three ango's were held in the early 90's followed by annual sesshins led by Genno Roshi and later Malgosia Sensei. Genpo Roshi used to lead sesshins not far from here in the 1980's. During their stay they went to visit three of the buildings where the sangha used to meet
Zendo during sesshin at Monte Cassino, Sosnowka Dolne, 2006
The Sosnowka closing sesshin became the opening sesshin of new things to come for the Polish Sangha led by Malgosia Braunek Sensei, which is primarily based in Warsaw.
After sesshin Tenkei Roshi and Tammy first travelled to Katowice to meet Tammys relatives then to Germany for the Zazenkai at the Zen Zentrum Dusseldorf.
Zazenkai at Zen Zentrum Dusseldorf
Apples & Fall
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And Building Plans in Uithuizen .
The plan from the local government in Uithuizen, Eemsmond.
Construction work begins behind the Stone Garden, October 18 2006
We thought this would be a good time to share the proceedings of building activities on the fields between Zen River and the village of Uithuizen. Developers have started to prepare the land and changes may go fast from here. It is hard to say how Zen River will be affected; it may even end up looking really quite nice with a pond and lots of greenery. But there is at least one huge benefit that we only heard about two weeks ago. As mentioned before, Zen River will be connected with the new sewage system, to substitute the sceptic tanks that are not up to code anymore and would cost a small fortune (and many trees!) to be replaced. The local government now has promised to not only supply additional pipes in the neighbouring field to accommodate Zen River , but to also completely cover the expenses that are involved in connecting our sinks, toilets & showers with the new system. Great news indeed!!! Just this last leg of the project alone would have cost several thousands of Euro's, besides all the work and worries. It also means that the November Fundraiser can be put towards other purposes, like necessary improvements on the showers.
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Visit Shojo-san
Zen River was happy to welcome Shojo Yamamoto (sitting left of Tenkei Roshi). Shojo-san is currently practicing in Eihei-ji, Japan. He stayed at Zen River for three weeks and left on September 4 to continue on his european tour of various zen temples and centers. Everyone enjoyed his presence!
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Jizo Panels display
A small display of Jizo panels, made last year for the Jizos for Peace project hangs in the glass hallway until September 24, 2006
Soto School Gatherings
Tenkei Roshi went to Fumon-ji last weekend to attend the Shinsanshiki ceremony for Nakagawa Roshi, who he befriended at the meetings of European Soto teachers. Fumonji is a Zen temple somewhat comparable to Zen River , beautifully located in the country-side of southern Germany . More than hundred fifty people joined the ceremony, including many Japanese dignitaries, monks and lay-people. Imamura Sokan Roshi and Taiken Yokoyama-san were present too, as well as Ito-san and Daitsu-san, who both have spend time at Zen River . Aono-san, one of Kochi-san's friends, had come over too. It's a small world!
Right after the conclusion of the October sesshin, Tenkei Roshi will go to Fudenji in Italy for another weekend workshop organized by the European department of the Soto School . This time the topic will be the format of the transmission ceremony. Besides informative these gatherings are wonderful opportunities for Tenkei Roshi to connect with other teachers and students, and to share ideas about how to accommodate contemporary practice in the West. In between these two trips Tenkei Roshi and Tammy will go to Poland to join sesshin with Genno Roshi, Malgosia Sensei and Nico Sensei. This sesshin will be the last one in Sosnowka, a almost legendary place in the mountains, where in the early nineties Kanzeon Sangha organized three 3-month Ango's.
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Calligraphy Workshop
"Healing with the Brush"
weekend workshop led by Kaz Tanahashi
First step
Practising strokes
Making & selecting large calligraphies in the attic
The Fundraising demonstration was a great success!
Calligraphies by Kaz drying. These were painted during the fundraising demonstration, all of which went!
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Family Week & Segaki Ceremony
August 5 - 11, 2006
For more pictures, click here .
The planetarium project
Yoga
Eye Opening for Buddhas the day after the Buddha treasure hunt
Getting the stage set ready for the play. Making paper cut-outs & costumes
Buddha being tempted by Mara the cheetah For more, click here
Football after dinner
Painting scrolls for the Segaki
Group photo after the Segaki Ceremony
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July 19, 2006
Mike Daijo Wright (left) busy in the woodshop.
The Lay Ango concluded with a traditional Dharma Combat Ceremony for head trainee Mike Daijo Wright. There was a great party afterwards, where almost everyone performed a small piece, from piano recital & stand up comedy to sad folk songs...
more pictures of the Lay Shuso Ceremony here:
http://www.leow. de/flowermountai n/summer% 20monthlong% 202006/
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Outdoor evening zazen, July 16, 2006
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Free Week
July 20 - 29
Just to remind you that there will be no classes or set schedule between July 20 - 29. The programme will resume on Saturday morning July 30 with dawn zazen. The kaisando remains open to anyone who would like to come and sit in their own time!
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Simonszand Outdoor Retreat
July 10, 2006.
We are happy to announce that the next outdoor retreat on Simonzand will take place on Monday July 10, during the third week of the summer monthlong! This year the boat leaves Noordpolderzijl at 10:30 am and returns 11:00 pm. Overnight accomodation available. Click here to see the documentary that includes film of the trip there. (Contribution for the Simonszand retreat is 50 euros for non sesshin participants. Full time sesshin participants may help with a modest donation to cover the sailing trip. See General Info page for further contribution details) For those joining, please meet at Zen River between 9:00 - 9:30 am. We will leave as a group to the harbor at 9:45 am. Due to the tides, the boat cannot wait!
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Blackbird Nest.
Upon following Thistle the cat, we stumbled on a nest of blackbird eggs just under the windows of the zendo. The five baby blackbirds hatched the last week of June! The area was fenced off to protect them until they flew the nest two weeks later. The garden is actually becoming something of a bird sanctuary as many other nests have been built, sometimes in unexpected places: two wood pigeons made their home on a bathroom window-sill!
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Fusatsu Ceremony
June10, 7:30 pm
The next Fusatsu ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Saturday June 10 2006 at 7:30 pm. Fusatsu is a monthly ritual of attonement and is usually held at the occasion of the full moon. During this ceremony participants vow to take full responsibility for their lives, particulary for actions that may have caused suffering. It also serves as a renewel of the Bodhisattva vows. Dates for the coming months will be posted here & on the programme page.Full moons this year are on April 13, May 13, June 11, July 10, August 9, September 7, October 6, November 5 and December 4, 2006.
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Sutra Class
(Advanced Class)
Most Mondays 16:00 - 17:30
The Sutra Class, held on Monday afternoons at 4:00 pm, is a new addition to the programme. Participants are given the opportunity (5 - 10 minutes) to present their understanding of a section of a sutra they studied beforehand. The others can ask questions and afterwards Sensei gives his evaluation. It is a way for everyone to practice speaking up and to learn expressing the dharma in alive words.
The Sutra class is most suited to practitioners who have attended at least one sesshin at Zen River or attend the River of Zen Class on a regular basis.Please contact the office if you would like to attend.
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Calligraphy Workshop
Fully booked!
"Healing with the Brush"
weekend workshop led by Kaz Tanahashi
August 18 - 20 2006
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Fundraising Demonstration
August 19, 7:30 pm. All Welcome!
Kaz Tanahashi
Bodhidharma
We feel extremely fortunate to be able to welcome Kazuaki Tanahashi at Zen River. Kaz has won international acclaim as a calligrapher, but is also well-known as a translator of Dogen Zenji's work and as a social activist. This calligraphy weekend workshop includes a fundraising demonstration in the zendo, that everybody is welcome to attend on August 19 at 7:30 pm. Art works made during this demonstration will be offered for sale to those present, the proceeds of which Kaz will give as a donation to Zen River .
The workshop begins on Friday evening with supper at 6:00 pm, followed by an introduction in calligraphy and a first session of actual practice. Most of the workshop will be held in the yoga room. For creating larger pieces we will use the newly created studio in the attic. The schedule on Saturday and Sunday will include zazen, services and a short work period. Contribution for this special event is 120 Euros. Space for the workshop is limited, except for the fundraising demonstration.
Visit the Brush Mind Gallery website to view pictures of his work. Everyone is welcome to attend the fundraising demonstration, and space for the workshop is limited.
With a human-size brush, Kaz creates the world's largest one-stroke paintings. He has had solo exhibitions and done painting performances in art galleries, museums, and universities internationally. Trained in Japan as a painter and calligrapher, Kaz has been active in the United States since 1977. He is a Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science and is listed in Who's Who In America.
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Visit Imamura Sokan Roshi, June 2006.
Jiso-san translates the Teisho for Sokan Roshi
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During the first weekend, June 24 - 25, Sokan Imamura Roshi, the head of the European office of the Soto School, visited Zen River and gave several teisho on the Denkoroku. This visit was part of an initiative that aims to bridge European and Japanese Zen, and which includes, for example, an exchange programme for students. During the next half year, three Japanese monks are again scheduled to participate in training at Zen River. In the meantime, several residents of Zen River have had the opportunity to practice in Japanese monasteries. Daitsu-san (front row, far right) is the first of the three and will stay at Zen River until July 12.
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Family Week & Segaki Ceremony
August 5 - 11, 2006 .
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Zazen, Segaki ceremony (Wednesday August 9), services, group meals, swimming at the local outdoor pool, painting, an opportunity to go on a day trip to Borkum island* and more! On Saturday evening August 5 at 7:00 pm there will be a shadow puppet theatre play performed by one of our members friends! Visit http://www.theaterderdaemmerung.de/maerchen.html Arrival time Saturday afternoon, in time for supper at 6:00pm. Departure time, Friday morning after breakfast.
*Round trip fare to Borkum Island; per adult 15 euros, 12 - 17 yrs 14 euros, and 4 - 11 yrs 7 euros.
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June 23 - July 20, 2006
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British Week 
