Zen practice in the Connecticut River Valley
Village Zendo: A Zen Temple in New York City whose teachers help guide our practice.
On Thursday Feb 2 2023, Soshin Sensei will be giving the Dharma talk at the Village Zendo’s Online Thursday evening sit.
Details: https://villagezendo.org/events/zazen-and-dharma-talk-by-soshin-february-2023-thursday/
In person: The talk will take place in person at Oxbow Zen.
Zoom: The talk will also be accessible remotely through the Village Zendo’s Online Zendo.
An exciting announcement from the Village Zendo:
We’re very pleased to announce that we have some new teachers and preceptors in the Village Zendo community.
On July 30, Ryotan Roshi gave Dharma Transmission to Lisa Soshin Dufour, Douglass Fugan Dineen and Timothy Bokushu Tucker. They received the title “Sensei” and may teach independently.
We’re delighted to have these new teachers and preceptors to carry on our tradition.
Please join us in congratulating Tokuyu Sensei, JoAn Sensei, Soshin Sensei, Fugan Sensei and Bokushu Sensei!
Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara, Abbot
Dharma talks from VZ Sesshin (July 26 – Aug 3) can be found on the Village Zendo YouTube page. They are live-streamed on that site, as well (starting any time between 10:55 and 11:05 or so — reload the page to see it show up when the transmission starts).
VZ Summer Ango, a period of intensified practice, gets underway with a Dai Sesshin from July 25 – August 4.
Update 12/30: The plan to sit together in person has been canceled, due to concern about rising case numbers. Please join everybody at the Village Zendo sit online.
On Friday, Dec 31, we plan to sit and practice together in our space for the two morning blocks of the Village Zendo Year-End retreat: Zazen/Kinhin from 7:30-9:10 AM, then individual breakfast and work practice, continuing with Zazen/Kinhin from 10:30-12:00.
Update 12/19: If you have robes, you’re invited to wear them.
Detailed schedule: https://villagezendo.org/events/song-of-enlightenment-winter-sesshin/
We enjoyed studying the Householder Koans. Starting on Sunday December 12 2021, we’ll be starting a new monthly study, centering on the “Song of Enlightenment” (Shodoka) (click to view), which is also the study text for the upcoming Village Zendo Winter Ango period (Dec 26 2021 – March 2022).
Practice at Oxbow Zen continues online. Study will continue on October 25. Several folks also sit with the Village Zendo on some mornings during the week — and the monthly Zazenkais offered by our mothership.
During this beautiful fall season, please also take the opportunity to experience the changing world in your own surroundings. Hugs and warm wishes!
An online Zazenkai with the Village Zendo will take place on Saturday, May 16, from 10AM – 3 PM. It will include 5 periods of Zazen, service, and a Dharma talk. Suggested donation: $30 (members), $50 (non-members). For further details, including the schedule and the Zoom link, please see the Village Zendo web site.
The Village Zendo will be offering daily morning sittings via Zoom, Mon-Fri 7:30-8:30. Details and recommendations at https://villagezendo.org/online-zendo/
Fri Dec 6 – Sat Dec 7: Rohatsu: All-night sit to commemorate the Buddha’s awakening. All are welcome! Arrive between 8:10-8:20 PM when the building doors are open. We will conclude on Saturday morning at 7 AM.
Thu Dec 12: Fusatsu: Evening ceremony of atonement, awakening, and renewal. Starts at 5:30 PM, ends around 7:00 PM. Please arrive a few minutes early to set up the space, and settle in.
Sun Dec 15: Study at Magna House from 10AM – 11:30 AM, after the regular morning sit. Read the chapter on Linji/Rinzai in the study text “Making Zen Your Own” and share your reflections when we meet.
Year-end Retreat, Dec 26-Jan 1: Enter deep silence and stillness with this Zen retreat hosted by the Village Zendo at the Garrison Institute. Learn more and register!
We’re excited to announce a very special event, namely an all night sit to celebrate the Buddha’s Enlightenment, called “Rohatsu” in our Japanese Zen tradition. It will take place in our new home at the Friends Meeting House! All are welcome!!
On Rohatsu we commemorate the Budda’s enlightenment by doing as he did — sitting Zazen all night.
Start: Friday December 6 evening (~ 8:15 PM)
Ends: Saturday December 7 in the morning (~7 AM)
There will be a Dharma Talk by Soshin Hoshi.
Short breaks for rest are included and a light meal will be served around the halfway point. Please join us! Help us celebrate this most important date on the Buddhist calendar. Please note that you may leave the building at any time, but there is no entry or re-entry after 8:15 PM
Fusatsu is an ancient ceremony of atonement, awakening, and new beginnings — recognizing and celebrating the circle of the year nearing its completion, and a new circle beginning. Making all fresh and new!
All are invited to throw themselves fully into it 😉