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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 Sanshin

Weekday morning practice (Wed - fri only this week)

* Following Rohatsu sesshin, there are no morning practice activities on Mon or Tues, Dec 9 & 10*

Please be in your seat and ready to go before 6:05 if joining us for the first zazen period, in time for the doshi's bows.

6:05 am Doshi enters
6:10 am Zazen
7:00 am Kinhin
7:10 am Zazen
8:00 am Robe chant
8:05 am Service
8:30 am Reading from Shobogenzo Zuimonki, announcements, soji (cleanup)
8:45 am Bow out

Tuesday evening (Dec 10): Getting started session

7 - 8:30 PM Introduction to zazen, zendo forms, and basic Buddhist & Zen teachings. In-person at Sanshin.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Wednesday evening (Dec 11): Zazen & book discussion

6:30 pm Zazen
7 - 8 pm Dharma book discussion: Ryokan Interpreted by Shohaku Okumura

Note that soon (likely by next Wed, Dec 18), we'll begin discussion of The Structure of the Self in Mahayana Buddhism, also by our founding teacher, Shohaku Okumura.

Sunday morning (Dec 15): Zazen & dharma talk

9:05 am Zazen (50 minutes)
10:10 am Dharma talk by Hoko: Introducing nyoho (the dharma of thusness) within Sanshin's practice vision
~11:10 am Informal tea & snacks

Monday evening (Dec 16): Ryaku fusatsu ceremony

7 - 8 pm Our monthly ceremony of renewing our aspiration to practice with the sixteen bodhisattva precepts. All are welcome to participate, whether or not you've formally received the precepts.

Please arrive by 6:50 pm, to allow time to offer incense and purify your rakusu/okesa if you have one.

For complete information on our regular practice schedule and upcoming activities, see our Schedules and Calendars page.

Our mission and practice vision

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

Fall 2024 Annual Fund Appeal
Practicing Today, Building Our Future Together

This is the time of year when Sanshin Zen Community gathers together offerings of financial support and looks to what's ahead.

LEARN MORE about our intention to raise $50,000 together before the end of this year, in support of our shared practice and the flourishing of the dharma. Thank you for your participation and practice.