“This very person at this very moment abides in the place, comes from it, and goes to it, where no unwholesome action is created. No unwholesome action is created, although the person appears to be faced with the conditions of creating unwholesome action or of associating with those who create unwholesome action.”
Dogen Zenji brought Soto Zen practice from China to Japan in the thirteenth century. His writings have come to be known world-wide for their poetic and paradoxical language, and penetrating depth. Studying Dogen together we can widen and deepen our perspectives on practice.
Throughout Buddhist writings, we can find the verse, Avoid all evil, practice all good, purify the mind thus all the Buddhas taught. This sounds like a straightforward admonition, but Dogen Zenji in his text called Shoaku Makusa (Refrain from Unwholesome Action) asks us to question deeply our assumptions of good and evil, to illuminate right and wrong from the view of practice. Dogen writes that this probing of right and wrong is a gateway to fully expressing our life and experiencing Buddha Dharma.
A study retreat is an opportunity to focus on a Zen text intensively—in community, and to apply Dogen’s words to our zazen practice and everyday lives. The retreat will include periods of zazen (sitting meditation), kinhin (walking meditation), two dharma talks each day, small and large group discussion, and reflective writing or art.
Everyone welcome, whether you are new to Zen practice or experienced.
The text will be provided to registrants in advance.
About the Teacher: Shinmon Michael Newton is a Zen Buddhist priest and co-guiding teacher of Mountain Rain Zen Community. He first encountered Dogen’s teachings when practicing with Shohaku Okumura Roshi in Kyoto, Japan in the mid-1980s and has continued to find them wonderfully inexhaustible.
Schedule: Saturday 9:00 AM - 4:00 Sunday: 9:00 - 4:00
Complete downloadable schedule PDF.
Downloadable PDF of the text: Shoaku Makusa
If Covid restrictions permit, we will open up the retreat for limited in-person practice at the Mountain Rain Zendo,
Retreat Fees
This retreat is offered on a sliding scale, $0-$80, depending on your participation and means.
Your additional donation beyond the retreat fee supports Mountain Rain’s capacity to offer reduced fees to those on limited income. Thank you!
Teacher Dana (donations)
Retreat fees only cover expenses. Dana to the teacher can be given by e-transfer, Paypal or cheque.
Questions?
If you have questions or concerns, please contact the registrar at registrar@mountainrainzen.org.
Register:
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