Apples!
Collecting then storing the apples in the basement on November 6, 2004
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November Fundraising Letter
The fundraiser towards the repair of the Zen River kitchen and hall-way roofs is coming along nicely. Due to the generosity of the sangha, the estimated expenses for this project have now almost been covered. It looks like the renovation can be done soon. Donations are still coming in and of course very welcome. Thank you all very much. |
Fundraising Update 2004
The fundraiser for the repair work on the roof of the kitchen and the glass hallway has been a real success. Over sixty different donations came in to make a total that is sufficient to have the job done. It will be taken care of as soon as there is a dry spell. Thank you all very much!!!
December 2004
Nelly Coppens - van Rossum
October 12, 1921 - December 7, 2004
On December 7 2004, the day before we celebrated Buddha's enlightenment, Tenkei Sensei's beloved mother, Nelly van Coppens - van Rossum suddenly passed away in her home in Den Bosch; only ten months after her husband died. She leaves us with a mixture of sadness and gratitude. Nelly was a devout Catholic but developed a deep appreciation for the Buddhist tradition. Particularly over the last few years she had become close to many Zen River sangha members. The funeral was held in Den Bosch Saturday December 11. Our sympathy extends to the whole family. Before attending the funeral Tenkei Sensei officiated a Buddhist service for her at Zen River.
Wil Renso Schippers
September 5, 1935 - December 12, 2004
Wil, on January 20, 2004
Funeral Service, December 15, 2004We are very sad to announce that Wil Renso Schippers suddenly passed away on Sunday, December 12 at 7:15 pm. It is a great shock for all of us. Wil had been a resident at Zen River for over one year and was loved by everyone; her presence will be sorely missed. Last week she was diagnosed with lung cancer, but nobody could have foreseen that she would meet her end so quickly. Still, there was time for her to say goodbye to many of her family members and friends. She died peacefully at the Martini hospital in Groningen, just a few hours after receiving Jukai from Tenkei Sensei. He gave her the name Renso, Lotus Window.At Zen River a funeral service will be held on Wednesday evening December 15 at 7:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. Overnight accomodation is available. Wil is momentarily resting at the home of her niece Ank in Assen. Anyone who would like to make an appointment to personally say farewell, please contact the Zen River office.The official funeral for Wil's family and friends takes place Friday, December 17 in the Angus Dei Church, Koningin Julianalaan 12 te Waalre at 1:30 pm.
Winter Ango 2004
Rohatsu sesshin December 4 - 11
The Ango Entering Ceremony for all participants present and the Shuso Entering Ceremony will be held on Saturday evening December 4 at around 8:00 pm. This also marks the beginning of the Rohatsu sesshin that runs through Saturday December 11, 2:00 pm. Participants are expected to arrive Saturday December 4 in the afternoon between 2:00 and 5:00 pm. Supper will be served at 6:00 pm.
Ango at Zen River is a three-month training period, with a daily schedule of six hours of zazen, regular services, dharma-talks, daisan, study-groups and samu. Traditionally it is the most intensive programme of the year and also includes several Sesshins and a Zazenkai. Everyone is welcome to join for the whole period, for special events or for any part of the daily programme. In fact more and more people find out that the regular schedule at Zen River offers a very attractive alternative for training besides Sesshins. Living and practicing together we have the best opportunity to learn how to put practice into living!
October sesshin Jukai ceremony
Gero Kaishin (Ocean Heart) Seifert receives Jukai at the end of the October sesshin
Correction and changes in schedule
Practice Weekend November 13 - 14
Please note a small correction in the dates for the next Practice Weekend! The weekend begins as usual on Saturday morning November 13 at 10:30am and ends Sunday evening November 14 at 5:30 pm. Participants can arrive Friday evening.
As of next year, the scheduled dates for Practice Weekends will become either Zazenkai, a day long introduction into Zen Practice, or Weekend Sesshins.
Sesshin Time Changes
Weekend Sesshins and Five day sesshins will now begin with dawn zazen on Saturday morning at 5:30 am. This is to allow participants enough time to travel to Zen River on Friday evening after work. Arrival time is between 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm on Friday evening. Newcomers are requested to arrive by 7:00 pm for orientation.
Departure time for a weekend sesshin is 6:00 pm on Sunday night.
Departure time for a five day sesshin is Thursday morning after breakfast.
Seven day sesshin begins Saturday at 6:00 pm with supper and departure time is after lunch on Saturday at 2:00pm.
Full time participants In order to maintain a strong group atmosphere, full time participants are requested to arrive on the first day and stay until the scheduled departure time on the last day.
Part time sesshin participants Please try to arrange to come on the first day and leave mid-sesshin..
Wedding Ceremony September 24, 2004
Corinne Jishin Moerbeek and Paddy Kozan Ball
On September 24, Corinne Jishin Moerbeek and Paddy Kozan Ball made their wedding vows in a Buddhist wedding service officiated by Tenkei Sensei in the Zen River Zendo. A horse and carriage drove them from Zen River to the town hall for the legal part of the service. A reception followed for friends and family.
Congratulations!
November 2004
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Jukai Ceremony September 19, 2004 .
Henk Taigen van den Akker and Matthijs Jiryu van den Ouden received Jukai at the completion of the weekend sesshin this September. Congratulations!
Family Week
August 6 - 12, 2004
L to R: Manuel, Nick, Jen, Stef, Willem, Jan, Alex, Hans, Sensei, Katey, Fenella, Emke, Martina, Peter & Anjo
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Children receiving gifts |
Outdoor zazen |
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Lunch outdoors |
Katey Kogetsu and Fenella Baika Gabrysch receive their Dharma names |
Summer Intensive & Fall Training
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The Summer Intensive has come to an end, and we can look back at three wonderful months of training. Fortunately the weather allowed plenty of outdoor zazen, in spite of some very wet weeks. The atmosphere of the Intensive also gave some direction for the future. It seems to easily lend itself to a more lay- or family- oriented practice, in contrast to the Winter Ango which naturally has a more monastic character. To balance out both modes of training, Sensei is considering to give lay-students a chance to take on a position during the Summer Intensive, that mirrors the one of head--monk during Ango. Details about this initiative will follow as they develop. The Winter Ango starts December 4th with Peter Gakudo den Hollander as Zen River's second head-monk.
Besides the regular daily schedule, the Fall programme includes a Practice Weekend, a 7-day sesshin and a Weekend sesshin, during which Henk van de Akker and Matthijs van den Ouden will receive Jukai. In the meantime some interesting visitors may come up to Groningen. four monks from a monastery in Sri Lanka, who had seen the Zen River web-site, have asked if they could join our practice for a few weeks! We look forward to welcoming them here. If all goes well, the first two will join for ten days in October and the second two in December.
September 27, 2004
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Summer Closing sesshin August 27 - September 1: The Summer Closing Sesshin begins Friday evening and ends Thursday morning, after which follow preparations for the afternoon/evening retreat on Simonszand.
August 2004
Jukai & naming ceremony, August 11, 2004
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On August 11th, at the end of the Family week, Jacco Seido Lamfers received Jukai, in the presence of his wife, infant son and family. Following the ceremony two children of the Gabrysch family, ten year old Katey and eight year old Fenella both received a dharma name, Kogetsu and Baika.
The summer monthlong concluded with a lovely outdoor barbecue, followed by an evening of singing and performing from participants!
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Leo and Manuel doing the blues
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Peter and Anjo
Leo, Iris, Ingrid and Joop
And Paddy recites a humerous poem
Jukai Ceremony
Marie Hoetsu Berghuis received Jukai from Tenkei Sensei at the end of the third sesshin of the summer monthlong. Congratulations!
July 30 - August 5
Free-style Summer Week
During this week participan ts can follow their own schedule of sitting, study and relaxation. Breakfast and lunch are help-yourself; evening meals will be prepared as usual. If you ever wondered what it would be like to stay at Zen River without a set programme you're more than welcome!
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All day sitting on Simonzand,
July 15, 2004
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Zen River's first experiment with nature retreats took place on the uninhabited island of Simonszand. The North Star brought participants to an endless landscape of mud and water and waited there for the tide to go down. It took only about one hour before everyone could go ashore, without getting wet (almost). Five seals formed a dignified welcome committee. Chanting and sitting in the most spacious and natural part of Holland was an incredible experience. More of these events will be scheduled soon. .
The welcome committee
Disembarking the North Star - Carrying tea & coffee
All day sitting on Simonzand,
July 15, 2004
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All day sitting on Simonzand, July 15
On Thursday July 15, just halfway through the July month-long, Zen River's first mini nature-retreat will be held on the island of Simonszand, an uninhabited mud flat in the Waddensea. Leaving from the harbor of Noordpolderzijl in the morning, the boat trip with the North Star takes about one hour and a half. Before returning at night, the tides will allow us six hours of zazen in unspoiled nature with a 360 degree horizon!Those coming from afar for the day may arrive Wednesday evening and depart Friday morning.To see more about Simonzsand, visit: Een fotoimpressie van de NKDE expeditie naar.
June 6, 2004
Tenkei Sensei officiating
Peter and Anjo make their personal vows to one another during the ceremony .
At the end of the weekend sesshin, on Sunday June 6, Peter den Hollander and Anjo Kasman renewed their wedding vows in a Buddhist marriage ceremony, officiated by Tenkei Sensei. Afterwards a party was enjoyed by everyone, with live songs and music by sangha members and dancing in the kitchen!
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Phyllis with her new baby chick!
June 23, 2004 .
Summer Intensive
June 4 - September 1 '04
Summer Monthlong, July 2 - 29 The Summer Monthlong is now underway, consisting of four 5-day sesshins. Each sesshin begins Friday evening at 6:00 pm and ends Wednesday night at 9:20 pm (departure time is after breakfast on Thursday morning). Sitting is outdoors whenever weather permits. Besides dharma-talks on a variety of topics there will be study classes on "The Myth of Freedom" by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. The Month-long concludes with a festive barbecue on the evening of July 28!
Weekend sesshin, June 4 - 6, 2004 June sees the start of the three-month Summer Intensive, which opens with a weekend sesshin, June 4 - 6. At the end of this sesshin, Sunday June 6 at 5:00 pm, Peter den Hollander and Anjo Kasman will renew their wedding vows in a Buddhist marriage ceremony, with a party afterwards. Of course everyone is welcome to join, also those not attending sesshin. Please bring a favorite song/party trick to perform, or a favorite snack to share!
Family Week, August 6 - 12 Besides a daily schedule of zazen, services, dharma-talks and daisan the programme of the August Family Week includes special activities for kids (and parents), such as children's services, mud walking, swimming at the pool, windmill tour, seal hospital, perfomances with singing and other entertainment...The week begins Friday evening on August 6 and ends August 12 after a morning service and festive breakfast.
Practice Weekend, August 14 - 15. The Practice Weekend will begin as usual at 9:30 am on Saturday morning August 14 .
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Fundraiser news May 24 '04
The new radiator knobs, 2 new boilers and one of the new valves!
The repair on the central heating system started while Tenkei Sensei and Tammy were on a 9-day visit to Salt Lake City. A mysterious block in one of the pipes has been successfully removed. This block was caused by a piece of wood that may have been stuck there since the system was installed - It feels like all the pipes can breathe again! Other renovations include new radiators in the zendo, new valves and thermostatic knobs on all the radiators in the old wing, a new and quieter pump, two new boilers and insulation around the pipes. The total work estimate of €10,500 was met by the fundraiser. Many thanks to all!
Friday May 7, 2004
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We were very happy that Hojosan could come join us for a wonderful celebration party with song and dance and homemade food!
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Hojosan left,Tenkei Sensei and Tammy, right.
Peter and Wil.
Simon and Gavin.
Ingrid and Tammy.
Simon and Manuel
Celebration Party, Friday May 7
Practice Weekend, May 8 - 9
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Celebration Party!
May Practice Weekend begins Saturday morning at 9 :3 0 am, and ends Sunday at 6:00 pm. Participants are welcome to arrive Friday evening. Instruction on zendo procedures, oryoki and training in the various positions will start after breakfast on Saturday morning, around 8:30 am after breakfast . Hojosan will be visiting Zen River again on May 7 - 8 (Friday and Saturday). His beautifully re-modeled temple in Tokyo was inaugurated on April 8. We would like to congratulate him on this event and everyone is invited to join a party in his honor on Friday May 7 starting 4:00 pm. Live music from sangha members and nice finger food will be provided. Please feel free to bring a favorite song to perform, or a favorite snack to share! April 2004
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April - June 2004
Zen River is in quieter waters now as we enter the spring training period. The regular daily schedule continues and many people have discovered the value of practicing at Zen River outside sesshin. It makes for a more intimate and personally tailored training situation. Also, since there is more opportunity to interact, the sense of community seems to develop particularly during these periods. Of course it is also an ideal time for newcomers to become familiar with the sangha and the practice. Everyone is welcome during this time.
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March 27, 2004
Open Huis this year saw a smaller, but more intimate group of people who were interested in both the training and in the building itself. Some were first-time guests from the village and neighbouring houses. Others had worked here in years gone by, one of whom had worked here for 22 years when it was run by Rev. Geikema as a Volkshoogeschool! Everyone received a flyer that guided visitors around the building, while briefly explaining the purpose of each room. Afterwards, visitors made themselves at home in the dining room for tea, coffee and homemade snacks from the buffet. It was a lovely day!.
March 2004
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Students from the basisschool de Schelp, Uithuizen, offer incense at the Jizo altar
During the week in March leading up to the open huis day, Zen River was happy to receive several groups of visitors from Uithuizen and the local area. The Rotary Club, the Plattelandvrouwen and a class of students from de Schelp basis (elementary) school, Uithuizen, came by to get aquainted with Zen River and the programme. Welcome!
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March 13 2004
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Shuso Hossen for Liz Seiki Fox took place at the end of the Winter Closing Sesshin, on Saturday March 13, bringing Zen Rivers first winter ango to a close. The ceremony included a dharma talk given by the shuso, on the koan "Tozans Cold and Heat" Hegikanroku, Case 43. After the talk, everyone present was challenged in a lively dharma combat (question and answer session). The koan, which was posted the evening before, gave participants some time for reflection. Questions as well as answers came from the heart, and was enjoyed by everyone. It was a wonderful opportunity for the shuso as well as for everyone else to express their understanding. Afterwards <>there was a festive lunch, and appreciatory words from Sensei and Liz.
March 12 2004
The night before Shuso Hossen ceremony, three members received jukai from Tenkei Sensei. Congratulations to Simon de Boer, Gavin Strathie and Joachim Behrendt!
Spring Clean Week! March 20 - 26
Open Huis , March 27, 14:00 - 17:00 , 2004Open Huis is a special event that everyone is welcome to attend (& help out on!). It provides an opportunity for the sangha to catch up on the latest developments and to mix with people from the local area . Last year around 150 came by to visit. Many knew the building well from the time it served as an adult education centre, a hotel restaurant and a refugee centre, and they shared many interesting details about the history of the place. The programme starts at 2:00 pm and consists of a public service, tours around the property and a buffet with home-made snacks.
Zazenkai in Düsseldorf
Saturday April 3, 2004
Tenkei Sensei will lead a Zazenkai at the Zen Zentrum Düsseldorf, Germany, Saturday April 3. The zazenkai begins 10:00am, and ends 5:00pm. For more information please contact
Kanzeon Sangha Deutschland e.V.
c/o v.Wolkahof · Boltensternstraße 7 · 40239 Düsseldorf
Tel: 0211/86 29 725· Tel/Fax: 0211/6399677
www.kanzeon.de
Fund Raising News
February 2004
The fundraiser towards repairing the heating system has been going well so far. Up until now just over 7,000 euros have been raised. The latest estimate for the repair work is 10,000 euros, happily a bit lower than orginally quoted. This is partly due to the fact that Zen RIver will be able to rent, rather than buy, a new water boiler for the new wing. If it continues this way we will be able to take care of the matter within a few months. Many thanks to all . To read the orginal fundraising letter click here
February 2004
Visit of Rev. Junyu Kuroda February 12 - 15
Rev. Junyu Kuroda (Hojosan) came over from Japan and joined us for Zen Rivers first Nehan sesshin. During his dharma-talk he shared many interesting details of <>the life of his mother and Maezumi Roshi , and elaborated <>on the meaning of Nehan (the day that Shakyamuni Buddha passed away and entered Paranirvana). If you would like to read the transcript of Hojosan's talk, please click here It happened so that during the Nehan sesshin, Tenkei Sensei's father quietly passed away on February 14. We were all struck by the coincidence. It inspired Hojosan to officiate a beautiful memorial service, that touched everybody's heart.
February 2004
Winter Closing Sesshin, March 6-13
Shuso Hossen March 13, 11:00am
Winter Closing Sesshin begins at 6:00 pm on Saturday March 6, and ends <>2:30 pm on Saturday March 13. Participants are welcomed on Saturday the 6th between 3:00 - 5:30 pm, but those who come from far may arrange to arrive Friday evening, March 5th and depart Sunday March 14th.
Shuso Hossen for Liz Seiki Fox will take place at the end of the Winter Closing Sesshin, on Saturday March 13 at 11:00am. This ceremony concludes the winter ango (a traditional three-month training-period, the first one at Zen River), in which Liz served as shuso (head-monk). During Shuso Hossen the shuso gives a dharma talk on a particular koan, and challenges those present in dharma combat (lively question and answer session). The koan is made public beforehand, to give participants some time for reflection. Questions as well as answers are supposed to be brief and direct, coming from the heart. It is a wonderful opportunity for the shuso as well as for everyone else to express their understanding. Afterwards t here will be a festive lunch for everyone attending.
February 13 - 15
We are happy to announce that during the Weekend "Nehan" sesshin, Hojo-san (Rev. Junyu Kuroda) will be attending Friday evening through Sunday morning. He will give a short talk on the life of his mother and Maezumi Roshi, and on the meaning of Nehan (the day that Shakyamuni Buddha entered Paranirvana). We are looking forward to his visit! There will also be Ango Entering Ceremony on Friday evening for all those who have not yet participated in one.
February 2004
January 17, 2004
Tenkei Sensei and Genpo Roshi, second and third from left
On Saturday January 17th, after the two week Big Mind retreat in Ameland, Genpo Roshi and two of his American students drove back with Tenkei Sensei for a visit to Zen River. During a powerful ceremony in the zendo, Roshi gave his blessing to the building and the sangha. He was obviously very taken by the place and the joined effort of so many people. After a tour everybody enjoyed lunch together.January 2004
January 20, 2004
Outside the windmill in Uithuizen
Right to left: Christianne, Rev. Keigaku Miyagawa, Tenkei Sensei, Rev. Shuten Kato & Peter
On Tuesday January 20 two representatives of the Soto School, Rev. Keigaku Miyagawa (head of the educational division of Soto Headquarters in Tokyo), and Rev. Shuten Kato (officer at European Soto Headquarters in Milano) , came to pay Zen River a formal visit. After a tour of the temple and a fine lunch made by the residents, there was a short sightseeing tour to the windmill in Uithuizen, the old church at Marsum, a stroll around Appingedam, and a visit to the harbor in Delfzijl. Unfortunately Harada Sekkei Roshi and Kobayashi-san were unable to attend . We hope to welcome him here another time.
January 2004
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Shinsanshiki invite, July 2003
Open Huis, maart 22, 2003
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