News

Updated August 23, 2010

Teisho given by Kuroda Roshi

As Seido, Hojosan gave a wonderful teisho at Zen River the night of the shusohossen-shiki.

To read his words, please click here

Shusohossenshiki Gakudo-san

Waiting Room...

Zen River Facebook

You can also join the Zen River Group on Facebook , a group for members to interact.

Schiermonnikoog Outdoor Retreat

August 12, 2010

Towards Schiermonnikoog

Captain and his mate brings everyone ashore

Walking to dry land

Sand zafus

Dokusan hut

Altar

Zendo

Boat waiting

Zazen after the rain

Sand cliffs

Departure - More photos on Facebook...

Summer Month Long sesshin

Outdoor zazen. August 3, 2010

Family Week

Segaki Group Photo

Crossing to the other shore

Bodhisattva Brigade: more photos on the Zen River Facebook page...

Family Week begins...

Summer Month long sesshin

July 31- August 28

&

Schiermonnikoog Outdoor Retreat

Thursday August 12, 11:00 am - 1:00 am

August sees the start of the annual month-long sesshin that members from all over Europe join each year. By now summer has transformed the whole garden into a well-groomed jungle, giving it the feeling of a nature resort, with an ever growing community of songbirds. The koan question "What is it that hears?" has an almost soothing effect. One of the wonderful aspects of this time is that zazen can be held outdoors under the canopy of the walnut trees.

The annual all day outdoor retreat on the Waddensea will this year be held on the far eastern beaches of Schiermonnikoog (instead of on Simonszand). And the departure time will be Thursday August 12 at 11:00 am (not Friday as was previously announced). This is due to the tides which determine what time we can leave from the little coastal harbor of Noordpolderzijl close to Zen River. We will return at 1:00 am Friday morning which means that we will be able to enjoy a long evening and some of the night at sea. Joining this adventure is particularly attractive for those who participate in the second and/or third week of the Month-long, but everybody is welcome to attend. Please contact the office for detailed info as to what to bring etc. 

And the Shuso Hossenshiki will take place at the beginning of the final week, on Saturday August 21 at 4:00 pm. This is due to the travel schedule of Hojo-san (Junyu Kuroda Roshi), who stops by Zen River on his way to USA where he will attend the wedding of Yoshi, one of Maezumi Roshi's daughters. Zen River is now licensed to register Hossenshiki with the Soto School, which is a credit point for the Shuso (head monk), on this occasion Peter Gakudo den Hollander. Hojo-san will act as Jokeshi or witness and also Rev. Jiso Forzani, the current head of the European department, has promised to be present. Hojo-san will give teisho on Saturday evening after the ceremony. Everybody is heartily invited to join, especially to support Peter.

The month-long is divided up in three parts of five days and one of seven days. You are welcome to attend one or more of these parts, or just come for the outdoor retreat on Thursday August 12 (previously announced as August 13)

July 31 - August 28 ------------------Summer month-long
July 31 - Aug 5 --------------------Part one
August 7 - 12----------------------Part two
August 14 - 19 -------------------Part three
August 21 - 28-------------------Part four
August 12 ------------------Island Outdoor Retreat
August 21 16:00-----------------Shusohossenshiki
August 21 19:30-Teisho Rev. Junyu Kuroda

Appeal from Bukkokuji

As some of you may know, Harada Tangen Roshi has been the inspirational abbot of Bukkokuji in Obama, Japan, for many years. During these years he has kept up a very strong training schedule that besides Japanese practitioners also attracts many Westerners. As Roshi-sama is now eighty six years old and in ailing health, he recently appointed an assistant abbot who can take over when necessary. At this critical moment of transition however the temple is in desperate need of renovation while finances are low. Please click here, or on the icon to read a letter from Tangen Roshi himself, and appeals from his gracious translater Belenda and the assistant abbot Rev. Harada Kogaku..

Appeal

Tenkei & Myoho have very dear memories of Tangen Roshi. They spent some ten days including a sesshin in Bukkoku-ji in 2000 towards the end of their stay at Kirigaya-ji. However short a visit, it left a lasting impression. Tangen Roshi is a dharma uncle to Maezumi Roshi and the two were very close. Maezumi Roshi had even told Genpo Roshi at the time to go to Bukkoku-ji if he would happen to pass away before Genpo's training was completed. Upon meeting the old master Tenkei showed him the Jukai rakusu that he had received from Maezumi Roshi at ZCLA and expressed his sadness over Maezumi Roshi's sudden death in 1995. Tangen Roshi smiled and whispered , ''You don't have to worry, Maezumi Roshi is right here!''

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Newsletter Spring Summer 2010

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.

Madrid, June 2010

Public Talk at the Circulo. Madrid.

Outing on the green

Public Zazen instruction at the Eko Center

Zen River Madrid Sangha members at the Zendo.

Conchas Restaurant

Tenkei and Concha

Teisho Den Haag

Thursday June 12, 13:00 - 17:00

Change Your Mind Day, Oosterpark, Amsterdam

Saturday, June 5, 13:00 - 17:00

Each of the participating traditions led meditation sessions in the tents surrounding the podium.. Niko Sensei from Zen Centrum Amserdam also led a session in the Zen tent.

The first Change your Mind Day was an initiative of the American magazine Tricycle held in 1993. Their goal was to give people a chance to become acquainted with various forms of meditation. This is the first event of its kind in The Netherlands and will be held at Oosterpark in Amsterdam on Saturday June 5th, 13:00 - 17:00. Presentations will be given by Tenkei Roshi on Zen, Aad Verboom on Thervada, Vipassana on mindfulness Kaye Miner on Tibetan Buddhism and Kah Kin Yau on Chinese meditation. Hosted by Lucia Rijker.

Lucia Rijker leads the final meditation

Tenkei Roshi was invited to lead a meditation in the Zen style

Film makers from the B.O.S. were interviewing many of the speakers for a film they are making to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the B.O.S. later this year.

http://www.changeyourmindday.nl/

Ango Entering Ceremony, May 28 2010

Ango Entering Ceremony and Shuso Entering Ceremony began Zen Rivers first official Ango

Gakudo den Hollander is shuso for this Ango training period.

 

White Plum Meeting & Visit to Soto School Office

Group photo of the White Plum members who attended the meeting, generously hosted by Genno Roshi, Genko Sensei and the Dana Sangha

Panel of the American Teachers in the Dana Zendo

Meeting Rev. Jiso Forzani & Rev. Eiju Matsuda at the Soto School office in Paris.

 

Cherry Blossoms Arrive

The Sakura on the driveway opened up on April 30, just in time for the May Sesshin.

Guests

There are several duck nests in the garden this year. The nest behind the Stone Garden hatched on April 29th and they come regularly to feed with the chickens!

One nest is just tucked under the dining room window, still waiting to be hatched and the other is hidden in the Buddha Grove.

New Road Surface:-)

Oldorpsterweg is closed for 2 days as they resurface the road. The first part will be completed by April 29. On May 3rd, the final layer of tarmac will be rolled down. Cars can access Zen River by using the footbridges to the hill and park next door.

After the Volcano...

Friday April 16, 2010: The day after all flights were cancelled...

Change of Schedule for Madrid Weekend

June 11 - 13

Due to the recent disruption in air traffic caused by the cloud of volcanic ash from Iceland, Tenkei Roshi & Myoho Sensei were unable to fly to Madrid on Thursday April 15th. After long deliberation, this weekend has been postponed until June 11 - 13. We apologise for any inconvenience - especially as the Madrid Zen River group had put so much work into all the preparations! Thank you!

 

Open House April 2010

The open house was a great success, with many attending the service and the piano recital.

Robert performed a piano recital for the visitors.

Home made cakes and muffins were served with tea and coffee.

Guests from Groningen University

On Saturday April 10th, a group of students from the University of Groningen visited Zen River for service, guided zazen followed by lunch. Welcome!

Spring Chickens...

The broody Zen River hens were captured by Paul Taian Davies and his camera!

All kinds of wildlife are arriving at Zen River. This duck made a nest in the bamboo behind the stone garden & another under the dining room window..

Koichi & Madoka Visit Zen River, Last Day

Group photo after morning service, March 25 2010

Koichi-san is Doshi for Morning service, wearing special okesa with hand painted calligraphy of Makka Hannya

Tenkei Roshi & Koichi-san

Farewell party! Thanks to Helma for making such a nice meal.

Koichi & Madoka Visit Zen River

Koichi-san & his daughter Madoka-san are here to visit Zen River and friends. Koichi-san was invited by Tenkei Roshi to discuss a variety of topics with the Sangha on Wednesday night. Welcome!

Signs of Spring...

March 16, 2010

Snowdrops begin to bloom in the Zen River Garden.

Zazenkai Madrid

June 12 - 13

 

The annual public talk and Zazenkai in Madrid will be held over the weekend June 12 - 13. It is hard to believe that this is already the sixth time! Over the years the Spanish sangha has become a vital part of Zen River. The Madrid programme is always very well attended, while many members frequently come over to Zen River for periods of training. Additionally, Roshi maintains regular contact with the group through video conferences every few weeks on Monday nights. In the meantime the Buddhist magazine Cuadernos that has already featured a long interview with Roshi, will now publish an excerpt of a recent dharma talk translated by Taian Davies and Eisho Gonzales.

Shusohossenshiki Ceremony

February 27, 2010

Group photo after the ceremony.

Ranka carries the Case to the shuso.

The shuso receives the shippei after the Dharma talk.

"This is a three foot long black snake.."

Dharma Combat

Returning the Shippei to Roshi

Robert played the premiere of Jan van Zalms piece "Spiegel, geen Spiegel" (Mirror, no Mirror)

After lunch...

...the final Kitchen Clean up!

Jifu & Tenkei Roshi

Tea Ceremony

February 26, 2010

Serving tea in the zendo

Servers

January 3, 2010

January 3: New Year begins, the snow continues to fall.

Winter Morning in the Snow

December 19: Morning Sunshine in the back garden at Zen River. The garden crew have had much shoveling to do to keep the paths open!

Winter Storm

December 17: Today it snowed...

Ango Samu Activities

Sam & Jifu ironing

Roshi & Ryushin organise the tool shed

Gakudo installs a new cupboard

Doin in the reception

Atelier crew: Saskia, Renate, Koren & Ranka

Gerry making new Ihai

Senko & Jort in the garden

Wish List

Over the past 6 years, many have contributed to the center with a great variety of goods. Zen River is really an assembly of donations; from Buddha and Kanzeon statues to calligraphy scrolls, mokugyo, bells, densho, inkins, han, altar sets, incense boxes, sambo's, oryoki tables, zafu's and zabutons; from artwork to paint, furniture, bedding, curtains and shades; from books, plants and flower bulbs to tools, bikes, bar bells and the Zen River sign. But of course there are still plenty of things great & small that are needed and you can view this list to see what is required as well as what has been given and completed. Click here

Letters from Zen River 2001 -

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All news items that have appeared on this page can be found in the Archives sorted by year.