
Spring 2009
Ango & Shuso Entering Ceremony

November 29: After everyone has made bows and offered incence, the shuso can enter...

...to receive permission from the Abbot to undertake this position for the next 3 months.
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Nice meeting with Hojosan for final farewell

After the workshop in Den Haag, Roshi and Sensei met with Hojosan, Shugetsu and Lida at the airport before Hojosan boarded his flight for Tokyo!
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Plant Donations
Bushes and plants from on of Janna de Vries's neighbour were kindly donated to Zen River garden.
Manuel, Floris and Dirk get ready to plant!
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Visit members of Zen River Hoorn group

Dirk Horai Beemster and members of the Zen River Hoorn group visited over the weekend. Welcome!
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Fall Newsletter & Fundraising letter, 2009
The bi-annual Zen River Newsletter is now avaiable online as a .pdf file. Please click on the icon to open it. Enjoy!
To download the Adobe Reader for .pdf files, please click on this icon. ![]()
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Visit Dr Johan Witteveen
November 7, 2009

Tenkei Roshi and Dr Witteveen with members of the sufi community.

Service before lunch

Welcoming Dr Witteveen at the start of his lecture.

Answering questions

Sufi service, with a reading and few moments of silence. before supper
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Visit Hojosan
November 3, 2009

Hojosan and Shugetsu arrived Wednesday for an overnight visit before heading off to Brazil to attend a zendo opening ceremony. Everyone enjoyed a Welcome Party.

After dinner there was a wonderful recital. Tina, on piano, accompanied Aidan on the viola

Hojosan thoroughly enjoyed a visit to the Antiek boerderij in Uithuizen (Antique farm)

Myoho, Tenkei and Hojosan deciding what presents to buy, with the help of a little coffee..
Hojosan writes a poem on Hydrangeas written by his father

Working on a last minute visa for Brazil...
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Rev. Kikoku Terae & Rev. Jiso Forzani visit Zen River

Rev. Jiso Forzani, Mr. Kikoku Terae with Tenkei Roshi, Myoho Sensei & the Zen River monastics.
On Thursday October 15, Zen River was happy to welcome Rev. Kikoku Terae, the current chief of the international division of the Soto School in Japan, together with Rev. Jiso Forzani, originally from Italy. They stayed for a brief tour with lunch and met with Tenkei Roshi before returning to the airport. From there they travelled to La Gendronnière for a Soto weekend seminar that Tenkei Roshi also attended. One of the main topics of the meeting was the official registration (Tokubetsu jiin) and the certification of Ango and Hossenshiki of temples like Zen River.
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German Sangha Visit in October

Friederike Boissevain brought members of the Wind & Wolken Sangha, Germany, for a weekend of practice at Zen River. Welcome!
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In Memoriam
John Daido Loori, Roshi (1931 - 2009)

We are sad to announce that Daido Loori Roshi, the abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery, has passed away on Friday October 9 at 7:30 am (E.T). Please hold him and his family and sangha in your prayers as we do here at Zen River. Daido Roshi, one of Maezumi Roshi's direct successors, has been a highly influential Zen master who established a thriving monastery and set up a model of training that cuts a creative balance between monastic and lay practice. He produced three successors, Sensei's Myotai Treace, Shugen Arnold and Ryushin Marchaj. The latter two will take over the responsibility for the monastery and its affiliate temple in New York City. For more information, please visit the website Zen Mountain Monastery
(As an intimate detail, some twelve years ago Daido Roshi and Myotai Sensei generously offered to publish the first manuscript Tenkei Roshi had made based on Maezumi Roshi's teisho delivered in Europe. Concequently, in 1998 Dharma Publications brought out a small booklet under the title "The Echoless Valley" adorned with photographs by Daido Roshi. Later this collection was included in "Teaching of the Great Mountain" published in 2001 by Tuttle.)
Muge Daido Daiosho
One true man
Eight dharma gates
Farewell
And see you again
In the ten directions
(Tenkei Roshi's poem recited during morning service at Zen River on Saturday October 10)
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Changes to Zen River Email Update subscription
As of October 1st 2009 a new Telecommunications Law in the Netherlands requires all organisations and companies to prove that members officially requested to be on their email list. To comply with this new law, Zen River sent an email to its current list with a link to refresh their subscription.
If you received the email as a text message rather than HTML or if the link didn't work, you can subscribe using the "subscribe" button located below after which a confirmation email will follow that will need your attention. Don't worry, its impossible to subscribe more than once as Graphicmail doesn't allow duplicate emails in its data base!
Weekend visit from members of Venwoude
September 19

Over the weekend of September 19/20, a group of members from tthe Venwoude community came to join the weekend programme. Welcome!
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Shuso hossenshiki, August 29, 2009
for Robert Doin van de Roer

Click on the links to see more photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vonb/sets/72157622218958838/
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=117559246408

Serving tea & cookies in the zendo the evening before

Jisha carries the Case to the Shuso

Dharma talk begins



Returning the Case to Tenkei Roshi

Receiving the shippei for the dharma combat



Dharma Combat!


A new rakusu was presented to Doin by Roshi...

...and the sangha gave a small gift before dessert!
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Visit Dr Johan Witteveen
Saturday November 7

Saturday November 7 we will have the honour to welcome Dr. Johan Witteveen. Best known to most as a former finance minister of the Netherlands and managing director of the IMF (International Monetary Fund), Dr. Witteveen is also a key figure in the International Sufi Movement founded by Haszrat Inayat Khan. The schedule is not yet fixed, but we are certainly very curious to hear his perspective on the role of religion in the modern world. This event exemplifies the inter-religious dialogue we like to engage in. A number of other members from the Sufi Movement will join the Zen River sangha for this informal gathering, so that views can be shared freely. Something not to be missed! If you would like to attend, please contact the office.
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Simonszand, August 20

Noordpolderzijl

Boarding the Boschwad.

Disembarking the ship

The Altar

Canopy set-up

Bows to the Waddensea

Zazen will soon turn extreme

Canopies down but zazen continues

A beautiful storm

Never to forget
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Simonszand, August 20
And off they go...


Summer Month-long week 2

At the end of the second week of the summer month long, Marcel Kaiun (Dynamic cloud) Calkhoven & Katharina Seicho (Pure Melody) Jarek-Knabe both received jukai from Tenkei Roshi

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Maz, Lindsay & Lukas visit

During the third week of the summer month long Tammy's brother Maz, Lindsay and their son Lukas came to visit with their new Hummingbird caravan from 1969! From here they will travel to Bulgaria. Maz was also invited to use his professional drum skills during the morning service. Whilst they were here Lindsay kindly took a new photo of the dining room for the website and is keeping a blog of their travels http://productofboy.blogspot.com/ It was lovely to have them here and we wish them a safe trip. Bon Voyage!
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Simonszand Outdoor Retreat
Thursday, August 20

This coming Thursday sees the annual outdoor retreat on Simonszand, an isolated sandbank in the Waddensea, a few miles off the coast on August 20th. Non-Ango participants are also welcome to join this wonderful event. Please contact the office for more information. When you come, be on time, as the boat cannot wait! Bring a towel, water bottle, some wading sandals to walk through shallow water, sunscreen and weather-proof clothing as it can be windy! Lunch and supper are provided.
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Summer Month-long underway, week 1

Outdoor zazen

Fusatsu on August 5th
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Family Week 2009
For more photos on Facebook, please click here!

Family Week 2009

Zazen

Service


Painting outside in the garden.



The Childrens Art Show

Pizza for lunch

Yoga with Andreas

Dance performance's were organised and arranged by Kim




At the end of the party
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Pigeon Nest in the Window

Lots of baby birds this year! Even a mother pigeon comfortably feeds her young in a bathroom window!
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Zen River Facebook Group
There now is a small Zen River facebook group online. If you wish to join it please click here!
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Teisho by Junpu Kuroda roshi, Abbot of Kirigaya-ji
on the occasion of the Shinsanshiki of Rev. Koichi Isoda at Keisho-in

Hojosan, far right, as Seido during the Shinsanshiki ceremony for Rev. Koichi Isoda (center) in November 2008
Last November our dear friend Koichi Isoda-san had his Shinsanshiki (abbot installation ceremony) at his temple in Fuji City, Shizuoka, Japan. Tenkei roshi and Myoho Sensei attended this ceremony together with Hojo-san, who was invited to take on the position of Seido and deliver a Teisho on the second case of the Shoyoroku, "Bodhidharma's Emptiness", the night before the ceremony. The Teisho was given in Japanese and has been kindly transcribed and translated by Hojo-san's friend Fujita roshi. Please click here to read this wonderful talk. Enjoy!!
For the original teisho in Japanese, please click here for a .pdf version.
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Veggie Patch

Simon with one of the lettuce grown in the vegetable garden at the back of Zen River
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Scroll of Genjo 玄奘 Sanzo

Koichi-san brought as a very precious present an old Chinese scroll representing Genjo 玄奘 Sanzo, (Xuanzang in Chinese) the famous monk who travelled all the way from China to India in the 7th century and brought back many Buddhist scriptures that he then translated during the remaining years of his life. This print from the original stone carving now hangs on the landing next to the library, a great addition to our growing art collection!
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Shamisen Concert at Local Senior Citizen's Home

Koichi-san offered to play Shamisen for the local senior citizens home in Uithuizermeeden....

...which was thoroughly enjoyed

And Tammy sang an old English folk song.
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Visit Dalai Lama in Amsterdam RAI, June 4
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10,000 members of the public came to each teaching held at Amsterdam RAI on June 4. Roshi & Sensei attended with eight practitioners from Zen River.
Ordained members of the Dutch Buddhist Sangha's were invited to sit on the podium for this auspicious occasion

Waiting for the arrival of the Dalai Lama to begin the morning session.


The Teaching begins.



Saying farewell to the audience
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Daido Loori Roshi

We are sad to announce that Daido Loori Roshi, the abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery, is gravely ill and may pass away any day soon. Please hold him in your prayers as we do here during sesshin at Zen River. Daido Roshi, one of Maezumi Roshi's direct successors, has been a highly influential Zen master who established a thriving monastery and set up a model of training that cuts a creative balance between monastic and lay practice. He produced three successors, Sensei's Myotai Treace, Shugen Arnold and Ryushin Marchaj. The latter two will take over the responsibility for the monastery and its affiliate temple in New York City. For more information, please visit the website Zen Mountain Monastery
(As an intimate detail, some twelve years ago Daido Roshi and Myotai Sensei generously offered to publish the first manuscript Tenkei Roshi had made based on Maezumi Roshi's teisho delivered in Europe. Concequently, in 1998 Dharma Publications brought out a small booklet under the title "The Echoless Valley" adorned with photographs by Daido Roshi. Later this collection was included in "Teaching of the Great Mountain" published in 2001 by Tuttle.)
October 3rd, 2009
September 12, 2009
10:00 am - 6:00 pm

In the Dojo
This Intro Zazenkai is held just three times a year and is led by Roshi. This is an all-day instruction course addressing the four elements of training, including posture work, a guided meditation, ritual practice, study and a discussion on the value of sangha, with lots of time for questions and answers. Perfect for newcomers to Zen River who would like to get acquainted with the style here before attending a sesshin, to meet Roshi, or just to brush up on old skills.
Zazenkai's at Zen River are conducted in Dutch, with some English translation if needed. Contribution includes lunch, tea and coffee. For a little extra, participants are also welcome to stay overnight and attend the Sunday programme; the two days together add up to a nice practice weekend.
See the FAQ page for directions and contributions.
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Summer Ango
May 29 - August 29, 2009

Summer is fast approaching and we are happy to announce that Robert Doin van de Roer will be Shuso during the 2009 Summer Ango. Doin has been a resident at Zen River since 2004. He received shukke tokudo from Tenkei Roshi two years ago. The Summer Ango will begin on Friday May 29, 8:30 pm with official Entering Ceremonies for the Shuso and Ango participants. This year, the Summer Ango also includes the annual British Week, May 29 - June 5, and the Month long sesshin, which begins on August 1, 12:00 pm. Ango ends with the traditional Shuso Hossenshiki for Doin on August 29, 11:30 am. Be prepared for a grand party afterwards and have songs ready!
During the Ango, there will be the popular one day retreat on Simonszand, an isolated sandbank in the Waddensea, a few miles off the coast. Non-Ango participants are also welcome to join this wonderful event. Please contact the office for more information. When you come, be on time, as the boat cannot wait! Bring a towel, water bottle, some wading sandels to walk through shallow water, sunscreen and weather-proof clothing as it can be windy! Lunch and supper are provided. Date and times to be announced soon.
In the Summer month-long sesshin in August, participation for is open for week one, two, three and four or the full month. Arrival time weeks one two and three is Saturday, 12:00 pm Departure time is Thursday morning, 10:00 am. The final week is a seven day sesshin and begins Saturday August 22, 12:00 pm and ends after the ceremony on Saturday August 29, 2:00 pm. Please refer to the Questions page for contributions.
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Summer Ango
May 29 - August 29, 2009
Summer is fast approaching and we are happy to announce that Robert Doin van de Roer is now Shuso for this 2009 Summer Ango. Doin has been a resident at Zen River since 2004. He received shukke tokudo from Tenkei Roshi two years ago.
During the Ango a month-long sesshin begins on August 1, 12:00 pm. Ango ends with the traditional Shuso Hossenshiki for Doin on August 29, 11:30 am. Be prepared for a grand party afterwards and have songs ready!
Also, there will be the popular one day retreat on Simonszand, an isolated sandbank in the Waddensea, a few miles off the coast on August 20th. Non-Ango participants are also welcome to join this wonderful event. Please contact the office for more information. When you come, be on time, as the boat cannot wait! Bring a towel, water bottle, some wading sandels to walk through shallow water, sunscreen and weather-proof clothing as it can be windy! Lunch and supper are provided.
For the month-long sesshin, participation for is open for week one, two, three and four or the full month. Arrival time weeks one two and three is Saturday, 12:00 pm Departure time is Thursday morning, 10:00 am. The final week is a seven day sesshin and begins Saturday August 22, 12:00 pm and ends after the ceremony on Saturday August 29, 2:00 pm. Please refer to the Contact page for contributions.
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Visit Koichi Isoda

Zen River was happy to welcome Koichi-san this week.
Roshi asked him to give his impressions of Zen in the West through his eyes at the Wednesday night talk

Later, to conclude the evening and the British Week, Koichi-san played three energetic pieces on his Shamisen!
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Visit Taos & White Plum Asangha Meeting, May 2009

White Plum Asanga group photo at Upaya in Sante Fe, New Mexico, USA.
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Poem for Maezumi Roshi
by Jan Chozen Bays Roshi which was read aloud during the memorial service
Hello Roshi.
Here we are,
Your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren,
Gathered here
And spread all around
This great spinning earth.
It’s your fault, you old gangster.
Things weren’t quite perfect as they were,
And so you had to go
And make a vow
With the naïve optimism of youth
We picked it up
And now look at us!
You’re dead.
And we’re limping along
Half blind on fractured limbs.
Just who do we think we are?
Spinning, spinning
In empty space,
Spinning out the endless strands of your great vow.
Shigata ga nai. **
Shigata ga nai.
Shigata ga nai!
** (A common Japanese saying meaning “It can’t be helped!” or, loosely, “Since there’s nothing anyone can do about it , just go straight on.”)
Enkyo O'Hara Roshi & Chozen Bays Roshi

White Plum Asangha members gather in the front entrance

In the Upaya garden

Liz & Gerhard's new home in Taos, where Myoho Sensei and Tenkei Roshi were warmly welcomed for a few days before and after the meeting.

Liz & Roshi, after a small ceremony to open their zendo and eyes of the Buddha Statue

During the meeting, Roshi and Sensei stayed with Jim Green a senior student of Musai Roshi, and Charleen his wife.

On the last day, Tenkei Roshi, Myoho Sensei and Liz visited Musai Roshi, (right) his wife Kathleen (center left)
Daishin Sensei (center right) and his wife Linda (left) at Prajna Zendo in Sante Fe where they were holding sesshin.
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Wedding Ceremony May 10
Dirk & Marianne

Dirk Beemster & Marianne Groot with the wedding party

Dirk & Marianne. Exchange of rings


Sharing personal vows

The family with Roshi

Cutting the cake at the party
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Jukai Ceremony May 6

At the end of the Sakura Jukai Sesshin, May 6 2009
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Janna Komyo (Bright Seedling) de Vries, Pepijn Issan (One Mountain) Meerloo and Diana Rinsho (Presence Illumination) van Gelder
For more pictures visit Pascals collection on FlickR
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Workshop in poetry and art with Eido Carney Roshi

Eido Roshi & Tenkei Roshi during coffee break

The theme of this years workshop was to draw with ones eyes closed.

Eido Roshi giving instruction on how to draw without using eyes.

Practising one evening in Noordpolderzijl

The results from the workshop were suprising!






At the end, each one gave a short review of their own experience, and recited a poem written to accompany their artwork.
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Visit Madrid April 09

Public talk at the Circulo de Bellas Artes in the heart of Madrid.

Zazenkai in Madrid

Stretching during the introduction

In Avilá.. Marisa, Roshi, Tammy and Concha.

Listening to the sound in the dome inside the Templars church, Segovia.

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Concha, Roshi, Paul, Marisa and Shoei-san in Avila

Dharma Talk at the Zen River Madrid Group zendo

Concha translated Roshis' talks during the visit.
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Buddhas Birthday Sesshin
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At the end of the sesshin & jukai ceremony for Eric Kogen (broad source) van den Berg & Peter Shoryu (auspicious dragon) de Rooden

At the end of the Jukai ceremony for Eric Kogen van den Berg & Peter Shoryu de Rooden

Bathing the Baby Buddha during Buddhas Birthday sesshin service
In memoriam
Frits Blog
August 6, 1951 - March 28, 2009
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On March 28 our dear friend Frits Blog passed away after a long illness.
Our hearts go out to Hank, his life-long partner. We're grateful to both.
When Roshi and Sensei moved back to the Netherlands in 2000,
Hank and Frits were of great help and invited them to stay at their home for the first three months.
Funeral services were held in Den Haag. At Zen River Frits was remembered in an intimate ceremony.
Frits, Tenkei Roshi & Hank relaxing in front of the Inryo at Zen River last October.
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Ryokan Poetry & Calligraphy Workshop April 24 - 26
led by Eido Carney Roshi

Eido Carney Roshi
A wonderful workshop combining Poetry & Calligraphy work. We are happy to welcome back Eido Carney Roshi from Olympia Zen Center in Washington, U.S.A. who will lead the workshop. Please contact the office for more information.
Open House
Sunday March 29 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The local newspaper DVHN covered the event. To read it online, and for reader comments, click here
Open House
Sunday March 29 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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Each year Zen River opens its doors to the local community. Everyone is invited to have a peek inside Zen River and participate in a service at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Complimentary tea, coffee and home-made cookies are served in the hallway. This annual event has proven to be very valuable in communicating our work and vision, particularly with people who are new to Buddhism and who otherwise would not easily enter a Zen temple. Together with other initiatives it has helped us to develop a very open and friendly connection with the local community. As a small but significant detail, it has happened several times that Zen River members from abroad, who got lost in the village after arriving at the little Uithuizen train station, asked someone from the village for directions and ended up being chauffeured personally to Zen River! Open House involves a lot of extra work though, so if you have time to spare and would like to help out in exchange of free lodging and food, that would be very much appreciated.
The local newspaper DVHN covered the event. To see it online, click here
New Weekend Sesshin Dates &
New October Sesshin Dates
We are happy to announce two new Weekend sesshins. The first is scheduled for June 26 - 28 and the second on October 30 - November 1. Weekend Sesshin begins as usual with a meeting at 8:30 pm on Friday and ends 6:00pm with supper on Sunday.
After long consideration the 7-day October 2009 Jukai sesshin has been rescheduled. The new dates are October 3 - 10. This change is due to a meeting of the European Soto School in La Gendronniere, France, that was scheduled during the weekend of October 16 - 17. Tenkei Roshi attends these meeting regularly to keep in touch with recent developments.
Visit Shoei-san, March 10-21
Zen River was happy to welcome Shoei Takahashi. Shoei-san trained in Eihei-ji and is currently working at the Soto-school office in Paris.
He will visit various temples and centers in Europe over the next few weeks and plans to join Tenkei Roshi and Myoho Sensei in Madrid for the Zazenkai on April 19th!
Bodhidharma Wish
Hojosan sent two red Bodhidharma heads from his temple, Kirigaya-ji. They are traditional at New Years in Japan.
At the start of the sesshin on February 7th, everyone chanted the Heart Sutra then made a wish while Tenkei Roshi and Myoho Sensei each painted in one eye of the red head.
The other eye is left blank and is painted in when the wish has been fulfilled!!
Shuso Hossenshiki
February 14, 2009


Benji chants while the shuso returns the text after the dharma talk

Receiving the shippei from Tenkei Roshi

The last word

The Sangha gave Seishin a beautiful Tanka of a White Tara as a congratulatory gift.

Speeches!

And a hip hip hurah from Tenkei Roshi!
November Fundraising Update

The November fundraiser has been very successful again and € 6.300 have been collected. Thank you all so much for your generous contributions. The money will go to the Zen River zendo fund which enables us to pursue the design and the realization of the new zendo, hopefully within the next few years. As mentioned above, there are different ways to go forward, depending primarily on the overall expenses. Besides aiming for a separate building in the back, there is also the possibility to extend the present zendo some three meters or so into the garden. We'll keep you posted on developments. Your donations are surely making a great difference!
Tenkei Roshi's 60th birthday celebration
Tenkei Roshi turned 60 last week, so there was a small party held at Zen River
A gift from the Sangha was a small easel and art table, along with an electric shaver!
Genshin Sensei's Dharma Talk
After Ameland, Genshin Sensei gave a short Dharma talk on Saturday night. Thank you!
Newsletter and Fundraiser Update 2008
For those who have registered for the web based version of the newsletter, we are happy to announce that it is now available on the website. Please click here to view it.
Donations towards the initial expenses for realizing the new zendo are still coming in. Many thanks to those who have contributed so far! It gives great faith in the project. We'll keep you posted.
Photo Album from November trip to Japan and China
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| Visit Japan and China Nov 08 |
Click above to link to the Picassa photo album and choose "slideshow"
Winter Ango Closing Sesshin
February 7 - 14
Right now we are preparing for the Ango Closing sesshin which will start this Saturday at noon. The Shuso Hossenshiki for Head Monk Wynn Seishin Wright will conclude the sesshin and the Ango. It will take place Saturday February 14 at 11:30 am. All dragons and elephants are more than welcome to participate in this event and to confront Seishin in dharma combat!!! Unfortunately she and her husband Mike will need to return to USA for some time again because of the tight visa regulations of the Dutch government. We are sad to see them go, which is one more reason to join this special event!
Sesshin Start Time Changes

The arrival time for some sesshins will change, making it easier for all participants to arrive and start sesshin together.
7 DAY SESSHIN : Please arrive Saturday by 13:00 for lunch and meeting. Depart Saturday after lunch at 2:00 pm
5 DAY SESSHIN: Please arrive Saturday by 13:00 for lunch and meeting. Depart Thursday morning after 8:00am service & breakfast (After brunch on New Years Day)
WEEKEND SESSHIN: (unchanged) Newcomers please arrive Friday at 6:00 pm for orientation and instruction. Other participants, please arrive Friday evening between 7:00pm and 8:00pm. Meeting at 8:30 pm. Depart Sunday evening after 6:00 pm.
SCHEDULE: Click here to see sesshin schedule, weekend sesshin schedule and Oryoki instructions.
ZAZENKAI Arrive Friday evening before 9:00pm or by 9:30 am on Saturday. Depart 6:00 pm or arrange to stay overnight through Sunday Lunch
Those travelling from afar are welcome to arrive on Friday evening and depart Sunday
PART TIME: Those who can attend part time only, please register for the first half of sesshin & depart mid-sesshin.
Intro Zazenkai
January 31, 2009, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
led by Tenkei Roshi

This Intro Zazenkai is held just three times a year and is led by Roshi. This is an all-day instruction course addressing the four elements of training, including posture work, a guided meditation, ritual practice, study and a discussion on the value of sangha, with lots of time for questions and answers. Perfect for newcomers to Zen River who would like to get acquainted with the style here before attending a sesshin, to meet Roshi, or just to brush up on old skills.
Zazenkai's at Zen River are conducted in Dutch, with some English translation if needed. Instruction includes a guided meditation, basic yoga stretching, posture class, study of a Buddhist text and time for questions and answers. Contribution includes lunch, tea and coffee. For a little extra, participants in Uithuizen are also welcome to stay overnight and attend the Sunday programme; the two days together add up to a nice practice weekend.
Saturday January 24, 2009
Dharma Talk by Genshin Sensei

We are happy to announce that Genshin Sensei, one of Genpo Roshi's successors, has been invited by Tenkei Roshi to give a Dharma Talk on Saturday, January 24th at 7:30 pm at Zen River. Everyone is welcome to join! Genshin lives in the UK and runs a small home temple called Kannon-ji in the North of England.
Ameland Great Sangha Gathering 2009
Work Crew after a day of preparations
The initial setup before everyone arrives
Myoho Sensei and Jenny in the Kitchen
Welcome
Meditation & ceremonies
Big Mind sessions each afternoon
Kitchen Samu
Dharma Talk by Tenkei Roshi. (Photo by Pascal van der Knokke)
Shiho ceremony re-enactment for Maurice
Watching the inauguration of President Obama in the Dining Hall
Farewell Party
Bus home
Skating!
Tenkei Roshi happily skating on the icerink in Uithuizen
Senko and Jifu
Winter Ango
November 29 - February 14

Winter is approaching fast and we are happy to announce that Wynn Seishin Wright will be Shuso during the coming Winter Ango. Seishin has been studying Zen together with her husband Mike Daijo Wright since 1996, first at Kanzeon Zen Center Utah and since 2001 primarily at Zen River. They both received shukke tokudo from Tenkei Roshi two years ago. Rohatsu, one of the strongest sesshins of the year, will begin on Saturday November 29 at noon with lunch, followed by official Entering Ceremonies for the Shuso and Ango participants. The Winter Ango also includes the ever popular New Years sesshin, which begins on December 27 at noon and ends with a festive New Years Eve celebration followed next day by morning service and brunch. The Ango will close with a seven day sesshin February 7 - 14; the traditional Shuso Hossenshiki for Seishin will take place on February 14 at 11:30 am. Be prepared for a grand party afterwards and have songs ready!
2009 Calendar
Dates later in the year are subject to slight alterations.
Winter 2009
December 27 - Jan. 1, 09-New Year Sesshin
January 13 - 21-Great Sangha Gathering, Ameland
January 31 -----------------------------------Zazenkai
February 7 - 14----------Ango Closing Sesshin
February 15 - 23--------------------No scheduled activitiesSpring 2009
March 6 - 8----------------------Weekend Sesshin
March 10 Informal evening w/Yusho Sasaki
March 14--------------------Zazenkai Duesseldorf
March 29, 14:00 - 20:00 hrs---Open House
April 3 - 5 -----------Buddhas Birthday Sesshin
April 19----------------------------Zazenkai Madrid
April 24 - 26-------Ryokan poetry Workshop
May 2 - 7 --------------------Sakura Jukai Sesshin
Summer 2009
May 29 - August 29----- Summer Ango
May 29 - June 4--------------------British Week
May 29 - 31 ---------------------Weekend sesshin
June 11 ---------------------------------------Den Haag
June 20--------------------------------Intro Zazenkai
June 26 - 28 --------------------Weekend Sesshin
July 18 - 23----------------------------Family Week
August 1 - 29 ---------Summer Month Sesshin
August 1 - 6 --------------------Part one
August 8 - 13--------------------Part two
August 15 - 20 ---------------Part three
August 22 - 29-----------------Part four
August 20--------Simonszand Outdoor Retreat
Aug 30 - Sept 6------- no scheduled actvities
Fall 2009
September 12-----------------------Intro Zazenkai
September 26-------------Zazenkai Duesseldorf
October 3 - 10 -----------------Fall Jukai Sesshin
October 30-November 1--Weekend Sesshin
November 7------------------Visit Dr. Witteveen
November 19 ------------------Teisho Den Haag
Winter 2009 / 10
November 28 - Feb. 27-Winter Ango
November 28 - December 5----------Rohatsu
December 27 - Jan. 1, '10-New Year Sesshin
January 12 - 20------Great Sangha Gathering
February 6----------Intro Zazenkai
February 20 - 27--------Ango Closing Sesshin
Contributions for the above events can be found on on the Answers pageFree days are Thursday & Friday. Exceptions are when a 7 day sesshin ends and the following day is a free day.
No scheduled activities the week following the Winter Ango (March) the Summer Ango (late August) and during the Christmas Holidays between 23 - 26 December
2001 --- 2002 --- 2003 --- 2004 --- 2005 --- 2006 --- 2007 --- 2008 --- 2009 --- 2010 |