Sanshin Style: Five points of practice
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Sanshin Zen Community enables the investigation of interconnectedness as it manifests in community by engaging in five 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 |
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We inherit the first three of our five points from Kosho Uchiyama's approach to zazen, which is characterized by three elements:
The study of the meaning of zazen in the context of Buddha's teachings, understanding the common thread that runs from the teachings of Shakyamuni through the Mahayana tradition, the teachings of Dogen Zenji, Sawaki and Uchiyama Roshis, down to Okumura Roshi and the practice of shikantaza at Sanshin today.
Keeping forms and ceremonies simple in order to understand what we're doing and why, and to maintain their connection with zazen. Rather than being merely performances, forms should come from the mind of shikantaza as an expression of respect and gratitude.
Understanding the significance of zazen and study in modern daily life so that we can maintain a balance between progress and peace of mind. We live with a tension between chasing after or escaping from things and avoiding taking any action at all in order to remain calm. Shikantaza teaches us how to take the necessary wise and compassionate action without fanning the flames of our delusion.
The remaining two arise from founder Shohaku Okumura's practice vision for the way we carry out the three activities of Zen practice, zazen, work and study. Learn more about each of our five points by clicking on the images below.
The study of the meaning of zazen in the context of Buddha's teachings, understanding the common thread that runs from the teachings of Shakyamuni through the Mahayana tradition, the teachings of Dogen Zenji, Sawaki and Uchiyama Roshis, down to Okumura Roshi and the practice of shikantaza at Sanshin today.
Keeping forms and ceremonies simple in order to understand what we're doing and why, and to maintain their connection with zazen. Rather than being merely performances, forms should come from the mind of shikantaza as an expression of respect and gratitude.
Understanding the significance of zazen and study in modern daily life so that we can maintain a balance between progress and peace of mind. We live with a tension between chasing after or escaping from things and avoiding taking any action at all in order to remain calm. Shikantaza teaches us how to take the necessary wise and compassionate action without fanning the flames of our delusion.
The remaining two arise from founder Shohaku Okumura's practice vision for the way we carry out the three activities of Zen practice, zazen, work and study. Learn more about each of our five points by clicking on the images below.
