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Virtual dharma study intensive: Dogen's Kesa Kudoku, Part Two
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In this text, Dogen discusses the meaning and importance of Buddha's robe (known as kashaya or okesa) as a direct expression and transmission of the dharma, supporting us and others through our day-to-day practice – whether or not we're wearing a rakusu or okesa ourselves.
The schedule consists of one lecture and Q & A period each morning from 10 - noon ET on ten weekday mornings, online via Zoom with Okumura Roshi.
Registration is open at the bottom of this page. |
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*Note: Whether or not you were present for Okumura Roshi's lectures last fall, you are welcome to join us for this spring's series.
Within a week of your registration, you will receive access to Okumura Roshi's translation of the text and recordings of the lectures from last fall, for you to review as you wish.
Exploring the materials listed under the heading "Related Resources for Ongoing Study" at the bottom of this page will also support engagement with the upcoming lectures.
Within a week of your registration, you will receive access to Okumura Roshi's translation of the text and recordings of the lectures from last fall, for you to review as you wish.
Exploring the materials listed under the heading "Related Resources for Ongoing Study" at the bottom of this page will also support engagement with the upcoming lectures.
Logistics and further information
What is the dharma study intensive?
The dharma study intensive is the successor to the genzo-e retreats led by Okumura Roshi a few times a year in-person at Sanshin and other dharma centers between 2002 and 2019, and online between 2020 and 2023. Since stepping down from day to day temple leadership in the summer of 2023, Okumura Roshi's main live teaching activity has become the twice-yearly virtual dharma study intensive. Because it is helpful to understand the practice container you are stepping into, it should be noted that this event is oriented differently than the previously-held genzo-e.
While the genzo-e included scheduled periods of zazen in addition to the twice-daily lectures, all within a concentrated communal retreat structure, the dharma study intensive is specifically focused on the study aspect of our four primary areas of practice (zazen, work, study, and ritual). For this event, our shared activity consists simply of one online lecture and Q & A with Okumura Roshi each morning for ten days.
This shift provides a less strenuous schedule for Okumura Roshi, and also a more loosely structured practice container for participants. Registrants are thus encouraged to take this as an opportunity to consider for themselves how best to integrate lecture attendance with their own schedule of personal study, zazen, and any ongoing daily activities and responsibilities.
You are welcome to participate via Zoom in the regular practice schedule being carried out here at Sanshinji before most of the lectures, as your own schedule and time zone allow (see schedule on the right side of this page).
Note also that, unlike genzo-e, these lectures may explore other Soto Zen texts and topics in addition to Dogen's Shobogenzo, all in support of deepening our understanding and practice of zazen and its functioning in our daily lives.
"When I began genzo-e, I thought it was dangerous to sit as much as we do at Sanshinji without understanding the deep meaning of zazen practice taught by Dogen Zenji. For me, zazen is the main thing; studying Dogen Zenji's teachings supports intensive zazen practice. Intellectual understanding only without sitting is not so meaningful."
-- Okumura Roshi
While the genzo-e included scheduled periods of zazen in addition to the twice-daily lectures, all within a concentrated communal retreat structure, the dharma study intensive is specifically focused on the study aspect of our four primary areas of practice (zazen, work, study, and ritual). For this event, our shared activity consists simply of one online lecture and Q & A with Okumura Roshi each morning for ten days.
This shift provides a less strenuous schedule for Okumura Roshi, and also a more loosely structured practice container for participants. Registrants are thus encouraged to take this as an opportunity to consider for themselves how best to integrate lecture attendance with their own schedule of personal study, zazen, and any ongoing daily activities and responsibilities.
You are welcome to participate via Zoom in the regular practice schedule being carried out here at Sanshinji before most of the lectures, as your own schedule and time zone allow (see schedule on the right side of this page).
Note also that, unlike genzo-e, these lectures may explore other Soto Zen texts and topics in addition to Dogen's Shobogenzo, all in support of deepening our understanding and practice of zazen and its functioning in our daily lives.
"When I began genzo-e, I thought it was dangerous to sit as much as we do at Sanshinji without understanding the deep meaning of zazen practice taught by Dogen Zenji. For me, zazen is the main thing; studying Dogen Zenji's teachings supports intensive zazen practice. Intellectual understanding only without sitting is not so meaningful."
-- Okumura Roshi
- Please note the following shift to the schedule used for this series in the past: Lectures will be offered on weekday mornings only, with no lecture on the mornings of Saturday and Sunday, May 2 & 3. This shift provides a less strenuous schedule for Okumura Roshi.
- Each lecture recording will be made available to participants before the next day's lecture begins, and will remain available to participants for a period of one month after the conclusion of the dharma study intensive. In other words, if you are unable to attend the lectures live, your registration will allow you to follow along according to your own schedule.
- We are not able to accommodate visiting practitioners in-person for these lectures. A small group of people directly involved in carrying out the event will be present in the zendo. Registration is for virtual participation only.
- About a week before the first lecture, those who have registered will receive a link to the Resource Page containing Zoom links and the downloadable materials needed for this event, including Okumura Roshi's translation of the text and the opening and closing chants.
If you have any further questions after reading the information on this page, please feel free to contact us.
Daily Schedule
10 weekday mornings
Apr 27 - May 1 & May 4 - 8
Times are US Eastern Time.
10:00 AM Lecture
11:30 Question & Answer
12:00 PM Bow out
10:00 AM Lecture
11:30 Question & Answer
12:00 PM Bow out
You are also welcome to join via Zoom in the regular weekday morning practice schedule that will be carried out here at Sanshinji before each of the lectures:
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
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
Computer skills checklist
In order to participate successfully, you will need to be able to do the following:
- Sign into your Zoom account and join a meeting
- Bookmark and return to a web page
- Download and print or retrieve documents
- Mute your computer's microphone
- Adjust the volume of your computer speaker or headset
Things to consider before you register
The lectures assume that participants have the following:
The first one or two lectures are often entirely devoted to background and context for the fascicle or topic under consideration. If you are joining the intensive somewhere in the middle, be aware that you will be without this groundwork and may have trouble picking up the thread of the presentations.
Although we do our best to provide high quality audio, Okumura Roshi speaks somewhat softly and with an accent, and you will be listening over Zoom. If you're concerned about your ability to follow his lectures, you may wish to watch some of his Sunday talks, available on our YouTube channel, before deciding to register. Using headphones may make it easier to listen and understand.
There will be basic help available by chat & email if you have technical issues related to participating in the online segments. Please make sure you have the basic computer skills listed above before the event begins. Our ability to solve technical difficulties on your end is limited.
If you have any questions after thoroughly reading the information on this page, please feel free to contact us.
- An established zazen practice
- An understanding of basic Buddhist teachings
- The computer skills outlined in the "Computer Skills Checklist" above
The first one or two lectures are often entirely devoted to background and context for the fascicle or topic under consideration. If you are joining the intensive somewhere in the middle, be aware that you will be without this groundwork and may have trouble picking up the thread of the presentations.
Although we do our best to provide high quality audio, Okumura Roshi speaks somewhat softly and with an accent, and you will be listening over Zoom. If you're concerned about your ability to follow his lectures, you may wish to watch some of his Sunday talks, available on our YouTube channel, before deciding to register. Using headphones may make it easier to listen and understand.
There will be basic help available by chat & email if you have technical issues related to participating in the online segments. Please make sure you have the basic computer skills listed above before the event begins. Our ability to solve technical difficulties on your end is limited.
If you have any questions after thoroughly reading the information on this page, please feel free to contact us.
Registration & PaymentThere are two designated payment amount options associated with your registration: regular and sponsor.
Sponsor payments help our temple maintain financial sustainability while welcoming practitioners unable to pay the regular amount. Thank you for your participation in this ongoing sangha effort. There is also an option to offer what you can based on your own circumstances and discernment, below or above these designated amounts. Everyone's sincere participation and practice is appreciated. You may also choose to mail a paper check made out to Sanshin Zen Community to: Sanshin Zen Community P.O. Box 1577 Bloomington, IN 47402 |
Related resources for ongoing study
The Sawaki Nyoho-e Treasury arises from Sanshin's aspiration to accurately preserve, embody, and transmit Kodo Sawaki's teachings about sewing, wearing and encountering Buddha's robe. The following materials linked from the Treasury may be particularly helpful to explore ahead of this spring's lectures:
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