March 2008 Weekend Zazenkai

"Sit Down and Shut Up"
Friday February 29 - Sunday March 2
with Guest Teacher Brad Warner

We invite you to join for all or part of the weekend zazenkai (retreat) at the Atlanta Soto Zen Center. This retreat is appropriate for all levels of practitioners and everyone is encouraged to experience the deepening of your practice that is only possible with this kind of intense practice period. Note that we are now starting on Friday night - you are welcome to attend any or all of the zazenkai.

Sesshin literally means "to unify the mind", and is highly recommended to anyone sincerely interested in experiencing the true heart of Zen practice. You will find that this is a wonderful opportunity to draw from the tremendous strength of the sangha practicing together to deepen your Zen practice in ways that are only possible through this kind of intensive practice session.

Guest Teacher: Brad Warner

Brad Warner is an ordained Zen Master — though he hates that term — in the Soto lineage founded in Japan by Master Dogen Zenji in the 13th century. He’s the bass player for the hardcore punk rock group 0DFx (aka Zero Defex) and the vice president of the Los Angeles office of Tsuburaya Productions, the company founded by Eiji Tsuburaya, the man who created Godzilla.

Back in the early 80’s, while still playing hardcore punk, Brad became involved in Zen Buddhism. The realistic, no bull philosophy reminded him of the attitude the punks took towards music. Once he got to Japan, he began studying the philosophy with an iconoclastic rebel Zen Master named Gudo Nishijima. After a few years, Nishijima decided to make Brad his successor as a teacher of Zen. It was an honor and responsibility Brad was reluctant to accept. But he gave up his misgivings and became a certified Zen Master himself. He is quick to point out that the term Zen Master is a misnomer. No one masters Zen.

Brad had been an amateur author since grade school and had published fanzines and short stories for a number of years when Nishijima prevailed upon him to write a book about Buddhism. But Brad was disgusted by most of the supposedly Buddhist books he found at the shops and knew he couldn’t write anything like that. So he published his abrasive, in your face writings about the Dharma as a website called Sit Down and Shut Up. When the website became tremendously popular, he began to think again about putting out a book. So he collated his writing, sent them off, and soon he had a book out called Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies and the Truth About Reality.

Observing Silence

Talking is not prohibited, but we strive to maintain silence following the evening closing of the zendo until after breakfast.During the day, idle chitchat is discouraged, while dharma discussion of lecture content is encouraged. Any necessary talking is permitted, but please speak softly.

Schedule

The retreat begins at 6:30 pm Friday and ends Sunday after lunch. For convenience of the greater sangha, the zazenkai schedule conforms to our regular schedule during overlapping times (such as Sunday morning). This zazenkai follows the "Buddha" schedule format with emphasis on zazen. Click here for schedule details on the web site.

Samu

There will be samu periods, when work assignments will be given.

Cost

The suggested donation of $75 goes to support the overhead of the Zen Center and to fund necessary investments in future program and infrastructure. Dana goes to the support of teachers and staff. There are limited discount and sponsorship opportunities available for staff, full time students or those in need of financial assistance. Please inquire at time of registration.

Because donations are collected on the honor system, we urge you to drop your donation in the box upon arrival.

Meals Included

Overnight Accommodations

Overnight accommodations are available on a first-come first-served basis at $15/night, and require pre-payment at least one week in advance to guarantee space (others may be accepted if space is available). For information about accommodations, please email innkeeper@aszc.org.

Registration

Send email to register@aszc.org or simply sign up at the center.
Advance registration is required for overnight accommodations and meals.

Location

Atlanta Soto Zen Center
1167-C/D Zonolite Place
Atlanta GA 30306

Questions?

Send email to info@aszc.org.

Japanese Terms

Dokusan (interview with teacher)

Hannya Shingyo (Heart Sutra in Japanese)

Kinhin (walking meditation)

Oryoki (3-bowl formal meal)

Teisho (pointed comment)

Samu (work practice)

Zazen (sitting meditation)

Zendo (sitting hall)