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Open Palm Zendo

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Family Zen

Posted by Monica at 8:18 PM No comments:
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My Teacher

My Teacher
Angie Boissevain

About Pilar Teishin

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Pilar Teishin on Buddhsim

  • Buddha Saw His Shadow: "Groundhog Day" and the Four Noble Truths

What is Zen?

Always a tricky question to answer simply, it may be best to remember that Zen is not an "is" so much as it is a "does". The word zen is actually Japanese rendering of the Chinese word chan, which in turn is a Chinese rendering of the Sanskrit dhyana. However you say it, Zen most directly means "meditate"; and in the Soto lineage of Zen, emphasis is placed upon the practice of sitting meditation above all else. It is viewed as the direct expression of enlightenment-- which our founder Dogen Zenji noted is not something one must attain, rather something to be directly expressed through the practice of zazen. In Soto, we face the wall as our ancestor Bodhidharma faced the wall of a cave. Our practice is supported by our posture: Erect spine, soft gaze, hands folded in the Zen mudra, legs solid, and breath continuous in an effortless effort.

What is Zen? The answer is one best experienced directly through one's own practice.


What does Zen Look Like?

  • An approach to zazen: photo and video instruction

Pocket Zen

Soto Zen Web Sites

  • Soto Zen Buddhist Association
  • DharmaNet Zen Directory
  • Gratefully Remembering Kobun Sama
  • Floating Zendo
  • Hokoji Temple, NM
  • Jikoji Temple, CA

Floating Zen: Reviews of Zen Centers in the Boston Area

  • Family Practice in Cambridge
  • Harvard Buddhist Community
  • Open Circle Zen
  • Spring Hill Zen

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      • Family Zen
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Other Voices

  • links to the Buddhist Blogsphere

Shobogenzo

Shobogenzo
The teachings of Master Dogen, founder of Soto Zen

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
Introductory talks by the founder of the San Francisco Zen Center, first such in the US

Opening the Hand of Thought

Opening the Hand of Thought
(...which inspired the name of our practice group)

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