News Archive 2007

Tokudo Ceremony, December 8, 2007

Robert Doin van de Roer and Helma Jifu Vulink received shukke tokudo from Tenkei Roshi

at the end of the Rohatsu sesshin. Congratulations!

Family, friends and guests attended and stayed on for lunch.

Man up a Tree

The Beech tree by the kitchen was in a dangerous state, with the potential to split in a heavy wind. It had to be tied together to prevent any future damage to its surroundings! The branches at the top were tied together by professionals.

Just Stone...

November 23, Gerry and Renate arrived with a beautiful new stone that they donated for the stone garden!

It was discovered at a Slate Quarry in Belgium.

Lowering it onto a new foundation on November 27

Fundraising Update, November 2007

Ceiling Matters

The November fundraiser for renovating the ceilings that are a fire hazard, is going well. The first donations came in already. We hope to start with the project the beginning of next year. Please note that donations are tax deductable! If you would like to contribute, click here to read the fundraiser included in the lastest newsletter.

Teisho Den Haag - then on to La Gendronniere

Thursday November 22, 8:00 pm

Tenkei Roshi will give a dharma talk this coming Thursday November 22 at Kanzeon Zen Centrum, Frankenslag 342,  2582 JB  Den Haag. Everyone Welcome! Contact Kees van de Bunt at  zen@kanzeon.nl or call tel. +31 (0)70 -3504601 for details. The next day Roshi will travel on to Paris to visit Genno Roshi, and to La Gendronniere where he is invited to give a lecture during a special Ango organized by the Soto School. This Ango is the first one held outside of Japan that will give participants the same accreditation as the ones held in Japanese Soto Zen training temples. He will be back Monday night November 26.

Retreat at Beeley, November 2007

Group photo

Tenkei Roshi and Tammy travelled by car and ferry to the UK for the retreat.

The trip back from Newcastle to Ijmuiden met heavy winds on its arrival in the Netherlands!

Genshin Sensei assisted Tenkei Roshi in leading the well attended retreat this year.

Coffee Break

Next years 2008 retreat will be led by Genshin Sensei from Thursday November 13 to Monday November 17

5th Anniversary Fall Newsletter & Fundraiser

We are happy to announce that the fall newsletter & fundraiser has been sent out this week. For those subscribed to email, please download it by clicking here ! (Make sure you have Adobe Reader 7 or higher. If not, please download it from their website: www.adobe.com and click on "Get Adobe Reader")

Lost Kitten finds new home!

Last Friday October 26th, this lost kitten was found Peter while he was jogging. He was crying the middle of the fields far from any home way behind Zen River. Anjo is trying to locate his owners, and in the meantime he has made friends with everyone, including Jimmy the dog!.

There seems to be some family reseemblance to K.G and Thistle...

One of the members visiting Zen River this week will give him a new home. His kids named him Lama.!

Hedgey Hedgehog

This wee fellow had fallen into the basement window hole and was rescued by Simon..

(It turns out that the hedgehog likes to hibernate down here, so Simon made a ladder so the it can go in and out safely)

Fifth Anniversary Party

October 20, 2007

To see the Slideshow shown that evening, click here

Jukai Sam & Nico

Sam Oshin Russell & Nico Kosen Poppelier received Jukai at the end of the October sesshin. Congratulations!

 

Green Painted Shed

The Garden shed next to the Reception has been painted and re-furbished for the garden tools. It will also serve to shelter a few chairs for the lone smokers to save them getting cold and wet in the rain

Ocean of Buddhism, River of Zen Seminar

Zazenkai

January 5, 2008

Start the new year with a resolution to find some peace of mind! If you are interested, the next "Ocean of Buddhism, River of Zen" seminar will take place on  January 5th, 2008. These seminars 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. Gift certificates, interesting presents for family or friends, are available from the office. The day includes tea and coffee as well as a vegetarian lunch. Everyone Welcome. Contribution is 50 euros. Download the flyer here

 

New Years Sesshin, December 26 - January 1, 2008

Schedule Notice for January 1 - 5, 2008

The end of the year is a time for intensive training. Rohatsu has finished and the New Year's sesshin is coming up. It starts on Wednesday December 26 at 6:00 pm and ends on Tuesday January 1, 2008 with a New Year's service at 11:00 am; a great time for making new years resolutions. As usual, the schedule includes a grand party on December 31 with live karaoke. Next on the programme are the Ocean of Buddhism seminar, on January 5 and the Weekend sesshin of February 8 - 10 (Arrival time Friday evening before 9:00 pm and ending Sunday at 6:00 pm.).

After New Years Day Service on Tuesday at 11:00am, there will be Shuso Services at the usual times but with no fixed schedule through Friday. Usual schedule will resume with dawn zazen on Saturday January 5. Contact the office for more details.

Winter Ango December 1, 2007- March , 2008

New Years Sesshin, December 26 - January 1, 2008

During this Winter Ango Simon Senko de Boer has been appointed Shuso.  Full time as well as part time participation is possible. Special events are Rohatsu, the New Year's sesshin, Ocean of Buddhism seminar, 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  1 at 16:00 hrs Everybody welcome!  Rohatsu 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 are the New Year sesshin December 26 - January 1, the Ocean of Buddhism seminar, on January 5 and the Weekend sesshin of February 8 - 10 (Arrival time Friday evening before 9:00 pm and ending Sunday at 6:00 pm.).

River of Zen Seminar & Koan intensive

Beeley, UK November 3 - 8

 

 

Final leg of sewage installation

and last bit of new path

After the pipes were dug in and connected to the Inryo, and the paving put back in place, it looks like nothing ever happened!

(But we all know better..)

August Closing Sesshin

Jukai Ceremony

On August 29, Concha Eisho Gonzales & Marisa Emyo Gonzales from Spain both received Jukai from Tenkei Roshi.. Congratulations!

The Jukai ceremony, August 29, 2007

Concha Eisho (Lasting Illumination), Roshi & Marisa Emyo (Wisdom Clear).

Visit Yudo Kato-san

YudoKato-san left Zen River on Monday September 3 to continue his trip through Europe visiting and practicing at other Soto Zen monasteries. We were very happy to host him and everyone enjoyed his presence

Inauguration Kobai-an

Retreat hut & dokusan room

August 25, 2007

On Saturday at the start of sesshin, Tenkei Roshi inaugurated the solitary retreat hut. While chanting the Jizo Shingon Dharamni,everyone offered incense inside "Kobai-an" . The hut will also serve as the perfect dokusan room! Co-incidentally , the name for the retreat hut was the orginal first name for Fuji-dera, the 2nd temple of Junyu Kuroda Roshi in Japan..Yudo-san, a japanese soto-monk training at Zen River for three weeks, assisted in the ceremony.

Dokusan

Dirk Beemsters Kanzeon pilgrimage

July 22 - September 2

On July 22, Tenkei Roshi & Zen River Sangha sent Dirk Beemster off with a Jizo outfit as he began his pilgrimage between Zen River in the far north of Holland and Dana Sangha in Montrueil, Paris.

Family Week 2007

August 4 - 9

Children in the buddha grove on the buddha hunt

Saturday August 4 - Thursday August 9 will be Family Week again. As usual the programme is meant to accomodate children as well as their parents, and will include zazen, services, painting classes and many other group activities (we are thinking of making kites with Buddhist themes this year!). Also, Tenkei Roshi is planning to conduct a new initiation ceremony for youngsters up from a certain age. He will contact the parents involved on this issue beforehand. See pictures from last years event here

Family Week 2007

August 4 - 9

Here are just a few photos from the family week.

View the complete album here

And with the discovered treasure

 

Yoga session

Jukai ceremony for Thijs Roest and Zen River Rites of Passage ceremony for Anne

Live karaoke the last evening after the barbecue- everyone had rehearsed a song or poem!

 

 

Dharma Combat ceremony, July 21 2007

Group picture after the dharma combat ceremony for Hans Daishin Fischer

Dharma talk

Followed by receiving the shippei

and Dharma combat

For a full collection of pictures from the days events please visit Pascals flickr collection!

No - Schedule week

To give everyone a chance to have a short summer break following the summer monthlong, there will be no scheduled activites between July 22 - 29. Regular zazen and service resume Sunday evening at 7:30 pm on July 29. The Kaisando will remain open to anyone who wishes to sit zazen in their own time during the day. If you will be dropping in, please let the office know ahead of time, so that someone can answer the door.

Simonszand, July 12

Everyone embarked on the boat at 9:15 am

Zazen in the wind on Simonszand

There was an abandoned baby seal on the beach.

After calling the Seal Rehabilitation and Research Centre in Pieterburen they sailed over to Simonszand to rescue him..

He was soon carried over to the pick up point. His name is "River" and is doing well in the seal hospital!

This boat came to help push the other one back into the harbor!

View Album photos from the trip!

Weeping Silver Birch

A weeping silver birch tree was donated and planted behind the solitary retreat hut on June 28!

Solitary Retreat Hut

(as of June 20th!)

Location of hut-to-be indicated by bamboo poles

June 12: And up it goes

Preparations are being made to build the long-awaited solitary retreat hut.  This hut will be located on the southern edge of the property facing the endless fields.  Complete with camping toilet, water supply and regular food delivery, it can serve those who would like to spend some time practicing by themselves.  Tenkei Roshi will inaugurate the hut and already three candidates signed up for solitary retreats of one to four weeks later this summer. The retreat hut will be available to Shoken students of Tenkei Roshi who wish to continue practice under his supervision and guidance.

Outdoor painting

Maintenance continues to make use of the good weather to repair, replace and paint the windows from the outside!

The new scaffolding was purchased through a donation from the Soto School in Japan. It comes at a perfect moment.

White Plum Meeting at ZCLA, May 2007

Tenkei Roshi with Genpo Roshi & Hojosan taken during the annual white plum meeting in Los Angeles.

The meeting coincided with the 40th anniversary of ZCLA in Los Angeles!

Click here for photos by Peter Cunningham and here for photos by Stephanie Merzel

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New time for Introductory Class

Monday's 7:00pm

The new time for the introductory class is Monday evening 7:00 pm and includes orientation in zendo procedures, the River of Zen Class and guided meditation. The evening ends by joining the meditation in the zendo with the other members. Contribution is € 12.50 for the evening.

Roundabout & Path Works

May 14: The front path gets a new look

May 9: Construction underway!

Cutting the flagstones for the finishing touches on the roundabout.

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Simonszand Outdoor Retreat

Thursday July 12, 2007

Registration still open!

We are happy to announce that the next outdoor retreat on Simonzand will take place on Thursday July 12, between the second and third week of the summer monthlong! This year the boat leaves Noordpolderzijl at 9:00 am and returns around 10:00 pm. Overnight accomodation available. Click here and search "TV Archief > November 2005" to view the documentary that includes film of the trip there. (Contribution for the Simonszand retreat is 50 euros) See General Info page for further contribution details. For those joining, please meet at Zen River by 8:00 am or at Noordpolderzijl harbor at 8:30 am. We will leave as a group to the harbor at 8:15 am. Due to the tides, the boat cannot wait!

As the weather can be unpredictable, please bring some wind and rain proof clothing, sunscreen, a couple of towels, some waterproof shoes for wading and a bottle for drinking water. Tea, coffee and meals will be provided.

Summer monthlong

June 22 - July 21

Registration still open to last minute sign-ups!

Hans Daishin Fisher who will be Head Trainee this coming summer monthlong

The lay Summer Monthlong Sesshin will begin June 22 with a Head Trainee Entering Ceremony for Hans Daishin Fisher at 8:30 pm. During this bright and breezy monthlong, Zazen will be held outdoors whenever the weather allows it. The month concludes with Head Trainee dharma combat ceremony on July 21 at 4:00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend and join the Zen River party and barbeque afterwards!

This summer month-long sesshin is a natural counterpart to the Winter Ango, allowing a lay-person the opportunity to fulfill a role comparable to that of head-monk during Ango. This summer the head-trainee will be Hans Daishin Fisher. On the last day, the head trainee dharma combat ceremony and dharma talk will be held on Saturday July 21 at 4:00 pm is followed by a festive barbecue party. Everyone is welcome to attend! On Thursday July 12 there will be a one day outdoor retreat on the small uninhabited island of Simonszand. The day trip to Simonszand is open to everyone

Participation is open for week one, two, three and four or the full month. Arrival time week one two and three of the summer month long is on Friday evening by 8:00 pm. Departure time is Thursday morning after breakfast. The final week is a seven day sesshin and begins Saturday evening July 14 at 6:00pm with supper and ends after the ceremony on July 21st. See the FAQ page for contributions.

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Ocean of Buddhism, River of Zen

 

In the Dojo on Saturday June 16, 2007

and during the coffee break

Teisho Kanzeon Zen Centrum Den Haag

Thursday June 14, 20:00 hrs

British Week

May 16 - June 4, 2007

The British Week is called that way to encourage members from the English speaking sangha to practice together.  Ironically this week is also very popular with the German sangha!  In general one third of the participants of the Zen River programme are from abroad.  By the end of this month our first member from Kiev in the Ukraine will make his first time appearance, together with his wife, and some days ago Laura from Lithuania come over again.  Clearly a sign that Zen is expanding beyond its former borders!

The weekend sesshin of June 1-3 begins Saturday morning with dawn zazen.  Please arrive on Friday evening before 9:00pm.  If you would like to join supper at 6:00pm and/or need introductory instruction please let the office know ahead of time. (See the FAQ page for directions & contributions)

Open House May 13

Just over 80 people from the local area visited Zen River for the Open House. Many were there to join the 3:00 o'clock service.

Tea, coffee, home-made muffins and snacks were served during the afternoon..

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Fall Fundraiser Update

May, 2007

Old wing completed!

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The sanitary renovations in the old wing are fully functional and complete!

Next step is to improve the shower vents and faucets in the new wing.

Many thanks to all who contributed. Special thanks Martin van de Krukke, Pascal van de Knokke and Ed van de Knokke for their valuable help, advice and support!

Open House Sunday May 13

14:00 - 20:00 hrs

The Annual Open House will open on Sunday May 13 at 14:00 - 20:00 hrs. People from the local community are invited to join and take a tour of Zen River. Complimentary coffee and tea will be served on the patio (weather permitting!). There will be a short public service at 15:00 and 19:00 hrs that everyone is welcome to attend.

Jukai Ceremony Sakura Sesshin

May 5, 2007

Joop & Andreas received Jukai at the end of the Sakura Spring sesshin. Congratulations!

Group photo after the ceremony

Genpo Roshi's New Book

Signed limited edition

Kanzeon Zen Center have just announced the forthcoming publication of Genpo Roshi's new book on "Big Mind: Big Mind/Big Heart: Finding Your Way" . Click Here to go to the Special Order form at the 3 Treasures Dharma Store in the USA. Closing date for this very limited signed hardcover edition is April 15.

Visit Madrid

April 21: Afternoon public talk in Madrid at the Galileo Galilei nightclub

Followed by Zazenkai the next day

Visit to Templo Zen Luz Serena near Valencia, to meet Dokusho Villalba Sensei (Below)

New Patio

April 2007

April 17: After great inspiration from the re-contruction of the forecourt, a new patio is made using leftover pebble tiles turned upside down!

Patio upon completion April 2007

Madrid Zazenkai April 22

Tenkei Roshi and Tammy will be in Madrid this weekend. Roshi will lead a zazenkai and public talk. They return Wednesday afternoon April 24. The regular zazen schedule will continue as usual! If you are interested in the zazenkai in Madrid, please contact Jorge Lopez-Doriga tel. +34-680447291

Buddhas Birthday April 8

A special service to celebrate the birth of the Buddha.was held during the Easter weekend sesshin

Everyone offers incense and bathes the small buddha statue with sweet water

Final Phase

The final phase of finding and connecting the new wing to the sewage system began Thursday morning (5th)

Luckily the old septic tank was not under the stone garden, although they will have to take up the corners.

Mystery digging

What, and why? To be revealed soon....

The home page & latest newsletter gives a clear clue! (Web version of the newsletter can be reached here)

Ryokan Creative Writing and Calligraphy Workshop

March 16 - 18, 2007

Group photo surrounded by work completed during the weekend. The one on the table was brushed by everyone!

Practicing brushwork: poetry writing calligraphy style with brushed image

Then finally each one "masterpeice"

Eido Roshi takes a group photo

Poetry reading of Ryokan-sans work in the evening

Zen River Atelier

 

Many of you know that the sewing room has been providing robes and meditation clothing for zazen for quite some time. The sewing recently re-located to the studio, creating a much improved workspace. Besides meditation clothing, the Atelier gift shop has a large collection of dharma talks which will soon be available for ordering. To see the start of the new Atelier Zen River webpage, please click here.

Driveway Restored!

1. February 26: During sesshin the flagstones were lifted so that the construction company could move in straight away

2. On Monday they arrive and the diggers start to carefully work around the orchard and in front of the office

3. On a rainy Tuesday morning the digging continued along the forecourt

4. And at the end of the day, Thistle the cat dares to take a look from on top of the dirt mountain

Work should be completed by next week.

5. the tiles get relaid by Friday

6. The new-look forecourt is restored by Monday March 12!

Shuso Hossenshiki

March 3 2007

Group photo with Hojosan and Koichi san, after Manuel Jishin Koelker's Hossenshiki ceremony

Beginning of dharma combat

for more pictures visit Pascal's website:

Sewage tanks on their way...

February 21. The first cut is the deepest...

The hole was made with dental precision and the trees were allowed to remain standing!

One of the four tanks is lowered into the 2.5 metre deep hole between the two trees

March 16 - 18, 2007

The March 16 - 18 Ryokan poetry workshop with Eido Carney Roshi is a primer for Zen River, and we are delighted to welcome her here.  She is an American Zen teacher, poet and painter, dharma heir of Niho Tetsumei Roshi of Entsuji, Japan and represents the lineage of the great poet/priest Ryokan.

Following the popular calligraphy weekend with Kaz Tanahashi last summer, Eido Roshi's workshop fits perfectly into the artistic branch of our programme.  To put it into her own words:  

"During this weekend, we will explore the teachings and poetry of one of the most endearing teachers of the Soto Zen school, the hermit priest, poet and calligrapher, Zen master Ryokan.  We will learn about Ryokan's life and work by text studies, slide show and movie and we will explore our own creativity by brushing our poems on calligraphy paper. This retreat will offer a fresh and creative taste of Zen and will be a joyful experience for Zen beginners and Zen always beginners alike ."  

The workshop will start on Friday March 16 at 6:00 pm with supper and ends on Sunday March 18 at 4:00 pm

 

Sewage tanks on their way...

February 21 2007: The first cut is the deepest...

The hole was made with dental precision and the trees were allowed to remain standing!

One of the four tanks is lowered into the 2.5 metre deep hole between the two trees

Fall Newsletter and Fundraiser

Update January 10

The tiles are up and almost ready for grouting

 

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.

Thanks also to Martin van de Krukke and Pascal and Ed van der Knokke for their help and assistance throughout the project

 

The shower that was...

is becoming.

The new walls...

...getting plastered by Martin van de Kruk

 

 

The November fundraiser is in full swing and the first donations came in already! We'll keep you updated. Donations go towards renovating the showers and toilets in the old wing. They had all developed serious leaks and work had to be undertaken immediately. If you wish to help, the newsletter and fundraising letter is available for downloading.

The file opens with Adobe Acrobat Reader 5 and above, which can download by clicking on the icon:

Almersma

Update on The New Homes-To-Be next to Zen River

View of the new pond from the yoga room

...and the orange diggers behind the stone garden

The building activities between Zen River and the village of Uithuizen continue at a steady pace.  The whole area has been landscaped now and is ready for sewage installation.  Zen River will be connected within the next few weeks.  As mentioned before, the local government will do this for free as an amicable gesture.  For a small sum, workers will even re-tile the whole pavement in the front of the building, after they have finished laying the pipe-lines.  Already by April it may all be in place!       

The new development, called Almersma, will be sold in designated lots, with rather strict building regulations as to create unity between the various homes.  So many people have shown interest in buying these lots, that the local government has decided to organize a lottery among candidates.  Information and application forms can be obtained at the Uithuizen town hall.  These forms have to be sent to the local government before February 24.  The lottery itself will take place on Wednesday february 28 at 2:00 pm.  If you are interested (live on a hill, next to a Zen temple?), even for just reserving an option, contact Bouwe Luurtsema, tel. 0595-437569 

Extracted from the Eemsmond website:

  Uithuizen

De plannen voor de realisatie van een nieuwe woonwijk bij centrumdorp Uithuizen zijn in volle gang. De gemeente heeft de nieuwbouwlocatie gepland aan de zuidwest kant van het dorp, nabij de Maarweg en de Oldörpsterweg. Dit is gebied dat valt onder het nieuwe bestemmingsplan Almersma.

Uitgifte bouwkavels
De gemeente geeft dit jaar in april en mei bouwkavels uit in het bestemmingsplan Almersma. Voor de verkaveling is een plan gemaakt, dat u  hier  kunt downloaden. 
De kavelprijzen worden binnenkort vastgesteld.

De toewijzing van de kavels vindt door loting plaats. Als u belangstelling heeft voor een kavel in Almersma, hebben wij vanaf maandag 5 februari een informatiepakket voor u klaarliggen bij de publieksbalie in het gemeentehuis. Dit informatiepakket bevat een formulier voor deelname aan de verloting voor de koop van een kavel of een optie daarop. U kunt het pakket ook nu al aanvragen. Wij sturen de informatie dan in februari aan u toe.

De deelnameformulieren voor de verloting moeten voor 24 februari 2007 bij de gemeente binnen zijn. De verloting is op woensdag 28 februari vanaf 14.00 uur in de raadzaal van het gemeentehuis. Er wordt eerst geloot tussen belangstellenden voor koop en daarna eventueel voor optie. Voor meer informatie kunt u contact opnemen met Bouwe Luurtsema, telefoon (0595) 43 75 69.

http://www.eemsmond.nl/index.cfm?sid=43&pid=534

Winter Ango December 1 - March 3

Weekend Sesshin February 10 -11, 2007

Winter Ango began on 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.

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 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. 

We are also happy to announce that Hojosan (Kuroda Roshi) will join the last day of sesshin. Koichi Isoda-san will also attend the last few days of sesshin. Welcome!

Genshin Sensei

Genshin Sensei stayed at Zen River for a few days after the Maha Sangha Gathering on Ameland and gave a short dharma talk on Sunday night. She is looking forward to arrange a Zazenkai in Bilsborrow, Preston - possibly in the spring.

Great Sangha Gathering, Ameland

January 16 - 25 2007

with Genpo Merzel Roshi & his successors

According to all standards, the Maha Sangha Gathering on Ameland has been an unforgettable event.  Genpo Roshi was in great shape, visibly inspired by an enthusiastic sangha including all his successors and dharma grand-children.  The programme nicely balanced between zazen, Big Mind sessions, ceremonies, panel discussions and meetings of teachers &assistant teachers.  The reunion factor soared as everybody had ample chance to meet everybody.  It was particularly wonderful to see Genshin Sensei, still recuperating after two strokes, blossom during the week and come out with some striking remarks (When asked about her kensho, she quickly replied: " I cannot remember anymore; it is so long ago!")  The record number of 200 participants presented quite a logistical challenge for the organizers, particularly the tenzo (congratulations Liz & helpers!), but careful preparations and good team-work made for a surprisingly smooth flow of activities.  After finishing the retreat, an international group of participants joined Tenkei Sensei, Tammy and other residents back to Zen River to enjoy a meal and party together.         

Panel discussions were held in the evenings with Genpo Roshi, Genno Roshi, Tenkei Sensei, and Sensei's Malgosia, Nico, Doen, Genshin, Musho, Mugaku, Amy and Frank.

Teachers meeting at lunch

Big Mind in the afternoons

...and Peter and Liz with the Shopping...

For pictures of the retreat taken by Peter Cunningham & Martijn Mulder, please click here:

http://www.wordwiseweb.com/

www.martijnmulder.nl/preview/ameland2007

Zazenkai

A Day of Zen

January 6, 2007 Uithuizen

The next Zazenkai (Day of Zen) will take place on  January 6, 2007 , 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 March 24 Zazenkai in Germany held at Zen Zentrum Düsseldorf, Bastionstraße 31, Hofgebäude, Düsseldorf, Germany. Contact Christian & Marcela Wolkahof Kanzeon Sangha Germany, Tel. +49 (0)211-627777, or click here for information in German.

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

2007 Calendar of Events Winter December 26 - Jan. 1, 2007----New Year Sesshin January 6---------------------------------------- Zazenkai January 16 -25 Great Sangha Gathering, Ameland February 10 - 11 -------------------- Weekend Sesshin February 24 - March 3 --------Ango Closing Sesshin Spring March 16 - 18---------------Ryokan poetry Workshop March 24------------------------Zazenkai Duesseldorf April 6 - 8-----Buddhas Birthday Weekend Sesshin April 22---------------------------------Zazenkai Madrid April 28 - May 5----------------Sakura Jukai Sesshin May 13, 14:00 - 20:00 hrs-----------------Open House May 26 - June 4---------------------------British Week Summer June 1 - 3------------------------------Weekend Sesshin June 14 --------------------------------Teisho, Den Haag June 16------------Ocean of Buddhism, River of Zen June 22 - July 21 -------Summer monthlong Sesshin Part one----------------June 22 - June 28 Part two------------------June 29 - July 5 Part three-------------------July 6 - July 12 Part four------Saturday July 14 - July 21 July 12 -----------------Simonszand Outdoor Retreat July 22 - July 29------No scheduled activities! August 4 - 9---------------------------------Family Week August 24 - 30--------------Summer Closing Sesshin Fall September 15----Ocean of Buddhism, River of Zen September 21 - 23-------------------Weekend Sesshin October 3------------------------Zazenkai Duesseldorf October 13 - 20 --------------------Fall Jukai Sesshin November 3 - 8----------------------Beeley sesshin UK November 4 -Ocean of Buddhism, River of Zen UK November 16 - 18-------------------Weekend Sesshin November 22 ------------------------Teisho Den Haag & Winter December 1 - 8 -----------------------Rohatsu Sesshin December 26 - Jan. 1, 2008-----New Year Sesshin January 5------------------------------------------Zazenkai January 15 -24 Great Sangha Gathering, Ameland February 8 - 10----------------------Weekend Sesshin February 23 - March 2-------Ango Closing Sesshin   Contributions for the above events can be found on on the FAQ page Free days are Thursday & Friday. Exceptions are: after a 7 day sesshin, when the day after sesshin ends is free. No scheduled activities the week following the Winter Ango (March) and Summer month-long (July / August). Schedule subject to variation due to christmas holidays between 23 - 26 December Terug naar Nederlandse pagina