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At the Penticton Zen Centre, we welcome everyone to enjoy silent meditation while being together. In order to get the most from your experience, here are some typical things to be aware of.
How we sit
Zen meditation practitioners sit on a cushion – typically black – which is then placed on a larger black mat. The practitioners sit facing the wall, and meditation is done with the eyes open.
What we wear
To maintain a sense of openness, everyone is encouraged to wear black or muted colours.
Dokusan is an opportunity for students to meet one-on-one with the teacher. During this time, the student is expected to discuss their practice, and any insights that may have occurred. This face-to-face meeting assists in deepening the student’s Zen practice. Not everyone involved in Zen chooses to engage in Dokusan.
In this video, you will hear from our Zen Master as well as witness students as they prepare for dokusan in a traditional Japanese zendo.
Teisho is a group experience of learning from a master teacher. This takes place following several sits.
This video below illustrates a typical teisho lesson. The best method for listening to a teisho is to engage in zazen (meditation) first, and then listen. You mind will be relaxed and in a receptive state for deep listening.
In the video below, you will hear from our Zen Master as well as witness students as they prepare for dokusan in a traditional Japanese zendo
Between each meditation set, practitioners engage in a walking meditation around the room. Much like walking the labyrinth in Christian tradition, this meditation involves not only slowing down the mind, but doing so while moving the body in unison with others in the Zendo.
There are several other videos that will help familiarize you with the fundamentals of zazen and zendo manners and etiquette. They are based on Sosan No Hanashi, our core material for starting Zen practice.
You may also enjoy the two messages from Yamada Roshi – his introductory message, and his message on enlightenment.
Whether you are coming to the Penticton centre from another Buddhist tradition, or if this is your first time, we encourage you to orient yourself with this booklet which outlines many of the common practices within the Sanbo Zen tradition.
This PDF provides you with the six introductory lectures students experience while attending our sister Zendo in San’un Zendo in Kamakura, Japan. Concepts include:
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