Zen Practice

Meditation

Zen meditation (zazen) is seen as the heart of Zen practice. When we sit still and take the time to turn our awareness inward, we begin to notice that the hustle and bustle of everyday life originates within ourselves and that the feelings, thoughts, and beliefs we cling to are only apparent certainties. We learn to see how and with what we obstruct ourselves from being fully in the present and live our life to the full. By recognizing and acknowledging this in meditation, we can gradually start to experience more space and clarity in our minds. This space can help us live more harmoniously with the wide variety of situations we encounter in our daily lives. By practicing this regularly and with some discipline, we create a direction towards a more in wholesome attitude in dealing with situations, which can bring us a sense of peace.

When zazen overtime truly becomes an integral part of our lives, the practice brings an inner compass to life. We discover a trust within ourselves that can navigate the uncertain and intangible aspects of life. We may even come to appreciate this uncertainty! We become more adept at handling what hinders and challenges us. We learn to respond with wisdom, compassion, and a sense of humor. Although zazen is seen as the core of Zen practice, it doesn’t stop there. On the contrary, it is in our daily lives, where we act, that it truly counts. A sense of ritual and knowledge of Buddhist teachings can also be helpful in this regard.

Ritual & Ceremony

The way we sit in zazen is in itself a ritual event, practiced for generations. Additionally, we engage in ritual conduct around meditation sessions when gathering in the zendo (meditation hall). This creates an almost effortless harmony witin ourseleves and the sangha. We also regularly recite some sutras, words that have nourished, inspired, and challenged countless people throughout the ages. Simple ceremonies provide an opportunity to acknowledge important events for individual sanghamembers, within the sangha and in society at large, such as remembrance, birth, and death. We can understand such formal language as an exercise in mindfulness and an expression of respect and gratitude.

Study

The Zen tradition is characterized by a wealth of inspiring texts and sayings. We read texts together, discuss them, and explore how their insights can illuminate our daily actions. In individual conversations between teacher and student, koans are frequently used. These are short texts, often concise dialogues, that encapsulate the entirety of Buddhist teaching in an instant and with which a Zen student can test his or her understanding and insight.

Values Worldwide

Turning our life in a life of practice, we can deepen our understanding of the wise and often practical teachings passed down by Buddhist masters since the time of Shakyamuni Buddha (the historical Buddha). At the heart of these teachings, the enlightening experience of oneness of the Buddha, has remained central. Over the centuries, these lessons have been continuously rephrased and adapted to the needs of new generations or different environments. Taizan Maezumi Roshi, one of the Japanese masters who brought Zen Buddhism to the West in the 1960s, used the encouragement, “Appreciate your life.” We continue to take this encouragement to heart within our Zen center. And we are not an exception; we share the practice with hundreds of teachers and Zen groups throughout the Netherlands, Europe, and the United States, connected through the White Plum Asanga, founded by, and stemming from the work of Maezumi Roshi.

Welcome

Are you interested? We offer an English introductory course, consisting of six weekly sessions. You will learn the technique of Zen meditation and become acquainted with some basic principles of Buddhist teachings.