Latest Information
Incense burning, I sit alone under an old pine.
The wind blows, the fresh, cold morning dew soaks my monk’s robe.
One day I got up from my zafu and walked down into the blue valley.
As I left, in the bottle, I scooped the morning moon from the river.
Daichi
Practising zazen in our confused times means returning to the true dimension of being human and finding the underlying balance of your existence once more.
Taisen Deshimaru
Keep your mind in equilibrium.
If your mind is in equilibrium, the whole world will be in equilibrium.
The Dojo is open. Due to the new regulations the number of participants is restricted. It is only possible to come by prior arrangement. After an introduction in the dojo, it is possible to join the morning zazen via zoom (only connected by sound). Hygiene measures still apply: regularly wash your hands, disinfect and keep your distance. Tracing list are being kept.
Please note: As of Monday, 15 March 2021 the dojo is open on Monday mornings again (except after zazen days and sesshins). The evening zazen on Tuesday is taking place as well, as the Thursday evening zazen at the regular time, 7 pm.
Next zazen introduction: Saturday, 27 March 2021 at 2pm.
The Spring Sesshin is taking place on the weekend of Easter (incl. Monday), 2-5 April, arrival on Thursday, 1 April.
Opening Times
Tue–Fri 6.30am
Sat 10.00am
New: Thu 6.00–7.00pm
The Taiko and Fuse Ceremony, which always takes place in temples and dojos at the beginning of the year, has to be postponed. We shall communicate the new date as soon as possible.
Buddha’s answer with regard to fuse, the gift, giving:
"It is difficult to understand, but it is through giving that we are strengthened. All the same there is a time to give and a way of giving. And whoever understands this is strong and wise. Whoever is generous will be loved by all. By giving with a mind of religious respect to life, we banish greed and hate and find a path to true happiness. Just as he who plants a young tree receives shade, blossoms and fruit, the result of giving yields joy."
Here the path runs over successive acts of kindness, such that compassion and giving strengthen the heart mind.
As the Buddha taught and demonstrated through his own life, it is not the size of the offering that brings merit, but the generous act of giving.
That’s why whoever gives even just a handful of rice with a pure heart will generate great merit.
Sitting in Zazen is itself a gift which, in harmony with the whole cosmos, radiates far beyond the individual.
Take care of yourself and others,
and don't forget Zazen and the value of entrusting yourselves to the three jewels – Buddha, Dharma, Sangha.
If we are always arriving and departing, it is also true that we are eternally anchored. One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.
Henry Miller
Awakening has no beginning,
Practice is without end.
Kōdō Sawaki
