September 2008 Weekend Zazenkai

Guest Teacher: Seirin Barbara Kohn
Thursday September 4 - Sunday September 8

"Basic Buddhist Teachings in America Today"

We invite you to join for all or part of the weekend sesshin (zazenkai) 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. Please note that we are extending this one day more than our usual zazenkai schedule, starting on Thursday.

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.

Special Guest Teacher

Seirin Barbara Kohn Sensei, teacher and head priest at the Austin Zen Center, spent 15 years at San Francisco Zen Center where she was ordained as a priest by Tenshin Reb Anderson Roshi and received dharma transmission from Zenkei Blanche Hartman Roshi.

She is a great friend to the Atlanta Soto Zen Center, sponsoring our Abbot, Zenkai Taiun’s Shuso training at the Austin Zen Center and helping with his accreditation process. We are humbly honored to have her here to share her dharma with us. We also are fortunate to welcome several of her students who reside in the Atlanta area.

For more information about Barbara or the Austin Zen Center, please see their website at: http://www.austinzencenter.org.

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 pm Thursday and ends Sunday at Noon. For convenience of the greater sangha, the zazenkai schedule conforms to our regular schedule during overlapping times (such as Sunday morning). 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 $175 goes to support travel expense for the teacher, 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)