“All buddhas and ancestors are expressions of the Way.”
Weather alert
30 cm of snow have fallen on Blue Mountain, so the teachers will not be able to attend the retreat today in person. The zendo will be open for those willing and able to venture out on foot or transit (driving not advised), but please stay safe and make a personal decision about what's best for you under the conditions where you are. We will all gather on Zoom, grateful for the technology that allows us to do so.
Warm bows from snowy Blue Mountain,
Myoshin and Shinmon
Please note: In person attendance on Sunday morning is limited to those who have registered.
Please scroll down for the Zoom link. Sunday morning online drop-ins are welcome, but if you would like to participate in the retreat please register below.
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.
Although it is said Zen is a teaching beyond words, Dogen replies that words, too, express the dharma. In this fascicle of the Shobogenzo (Treasury of the True Dharma Eye), Dogen challenges each person, to fully express life through words, silence and action. It is through expression that awakening is actualized.
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.
See below for a PDF of the text.
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
Teacher Dana (donations)
Retreat fees only cover expenses. Dana to the teacher can be given by e-transfer, Paypal or cheque.
Expressing the Way Text: PDF
Please print out the text, if you are able, and bring a pen and notebook to the retreat.
To add names to the Well-being and Memorial service dedication (Sunday) CLICK HERE.
ZOOM LINK: CLICK HERE
Meeting ID: 861 2442 4943 Passcode: 631625
One tap mobile
+16473744685,,86124424943#,,,,*631625# Canada
+16475580588,,86124424943#,,,,*631625# Canada
Questions?
If you have questions or concerns, please contact the registrar at registrar@mountainrainzen.org.
