Join us for zazen, work and study in Bloomington, Indiana.
We practice Buddhism within the Soto Zen tradition that comes to us from Japan, following the particular style of our immediate three ancestors: Kodo Sawaki, Kosho Uchiyama and Shohaku Okumura.
Our main activities are zazen, sitting quietly and letting go of thinking; communal work to take care of the temple and grounds as an active expression of our wisdom and compassion; and the study of the teachings of the Buddha and the ancestors of our lineage. We do all this as both an exploration and a manifestation of our interconnectedness with the entire universe. Some of us are laypeople and some are ordained clergy, but we all engage in the same practices and walk the Buddha Way together. Everyone, whether beginner or experienced practitioner, is welcome. LEARN MORE about our six points of practice This week at SanshinWeekday mornings: Two periods of zazen (seated by 6:00 and 7:10 am); followed by chanting service and soji (temple cleaning), typically finished by 8:45 am -- practitioners are welcome to participate in all or parts of morning practice activities as schedules allow
Tues, Apr 30: Dharma sewing (6:30 - 8 pm) Wed, May 1: Zazen (6:30 - 7 pm); dharma book discussion group (7 - 8 pm) on Ryokan Interpreted by Shohaku Okumura Sun, May 5: Zazen (9:10 - 10 am); Dharma talk (10:10 am) by Okumura Roshi on Menzan's Jijuyu Zanmai -- Note that this will be the 4th (and only public) talk in a series of ten on this text as part of our dharma study intensive. For background on jijuyu zanmai as a key Soto Zen term, see Sotoshu's resource here. For the full text of a free e-book including Okumura Roshi's earlier translation of Menzan's text, see here. [Thurs, May 2 - Saturday, May 11: Virtual dharma study intensive (registration closed) -- All regular practice activities will continue as usual during this time.] For complete information on our regular practice schedule and upcoming activities, see our Schedules and Calendars page. To learn more about our April 1 - July 7 ango (practice period), including the context and practice activities associated with this 3-month period each year, see our Ango page. Sanshin Zen Community enables the investigation of interconnectedness as it manifests in community by engaging in six points of practice within the Soto Zen tradition:
• Zazen in a Buddhist context • Keeping forms simple • Balancing peace and progress • Dharma study as a support for zazen • Work practice as an investigation of community • Deeply inquiring into the teaching of ehou ichinyo: kesa and dharma are one LEARN MORE |
Help rebuild Soto Zen temples in Japan damaged by the recent earthquake. LEARN MORE We're taking the opportunity to focus on lineage & legacy in 2024, between milestone memorial years for both Uchiyama and Sawaki Roshis. From them, we directly inherit our practices of zazen, work, study, and encountering Buddha's robe. Throughout the year, watch for dialogues about their legacies, reflections on their critical role in shaping our practice, and pointers to collections of resources from and about them.
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Sanshin's foreign language sanghas |