Council – Jushin
Jan. 11, 2012 - Posted in: Events - Comments Off
| February 5, 2012 | ||
| 11:00 am |
Council is the practice of sitting in a circle and speaking and listening from the heart. It is held the first Sunday of the month after zazen.
Path of Practice
Dec. 7, 2011 - Posted in: Blog, Events - Comments Off
| February 5, 2012 | ||
| 1:30 pm | to | 5:00 pm |
| March 4, 2012 | ||
| 1:30 pm | to | 5:00 pm |
| April 1, 2012 | ||
| 1:30 pm | to | 5:00 pm |
| May 6, 2012 | ||
| 1:30 pm | to | 5:00 pm |
| June 3, 2012 | ||
| 1:30 pm | to | 5:00 pm |
| August 5, 2012 | ||
| 1:30 pm | to | 5:00 pm |
| September 9, 2012 | ||
| 1:30 pm | to | 5:00 pm |
| October 7, 2012 | ||
| 1:30 pm | to | 5:00 pm |
| November 4, 2012 | ||
| 1:30 pm | to | 5:00 pm |
| December 9, 2012 | ||
| 1:30 pm | to | 5:00 pm |
Dotokuji
Expression of the Way
The Path of Practice Training Program:
The Paramitas, Service and our Daily Lives
This is a ten-month training program to assist Zen students in deepening their capacity for self-awareness and for developing the spiritual tools to participate harmoniously and meaningfully in their lives.
A Path of Practice is a way of living mindfully so as to become aware of the habits of mind that keep us mired in the painful, self‐centered loop that engenders suffering. The Paramitas are the spiritual muscles we exercise in overcoming this self-centeredness. As our awareness grows we can develop the skills to serve not only ourselves but all sentient beings with wisdom and compassion.
Each month we will focus on a different Paramita and by means of inquiry, self-reflection and discussion, use it as a lens to study ourselves. The Paramitas, literally translated as perfections, are actually traditional Buddhist virtues that represent the process and the fruits of practice. The Mahayana Tradition lists six–generosity, morality, tolerance, energy, meditation, wisdom and the Theravadin tradition lists four more–skillful means, aspiration, spiritual power, and knowledge. We will engage all ten, utilizing them as a guide to self-inquiry and our functioning in the world. The training will include sitting meditation, interpersonal group work, liturgy, reading and reflective writing.
Participation requires a commitment to the following:
- Daily sitting practice
- Monthly Interview with VZ teachers
- Attendance at all sessions
- Inquiry practice with a Path group member
- Monthly written reflections
- Participation in liturgical training during Path sessions and other times
The course will run from Feb 2012 thru Dec 2012 and will be co-taught by Roshi and Sensei Joshin on the first Sunday of the month from 1:30pm to 5pm
Feb 5 – Sensei and Roshi
March 4 – Roshi
April 1 – Sensei
May 6th – Roshi
June 3rd – Sensei
July 1st – No meeting
August 5 – Sensei
Sept 9th – Roshi
Oct 7 –Sensei
Nov 4 – Roshi
Dec 9 – Sensei and Roshi
Texts:
Required:
Robert Aitken: The Practice of Perfection (Will be made available in photocopy format)
Recommended:
Dale Wright, The Six Perfections
Shantideva, A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, translated by Stephen Batchelor
The course is open to any serious practitioner who can make a commitment to study for the year.
The cost is $600 for the year, payable in two portions: the deadline for first payment is January 10; the deadline for the second payment is June 10.
A sliding scale is available for anyone with financial hardship. No one is turned away due to finances.
Dharma talk – Hotei
Jan. 2, 2012 - Posted in: Blog, Events - Comments Off
| February 9, 2012 | ||
| 6:35 pm | to | 7:05 pm |
Hotei will give a dharma talk
Tangaryo
Jan. 1, 2012 - Posted in: Events - Comments Off
| February 10, 2012 | ||
| 7:30 am | to | 5:00 pm |
Invitation to Become a Student at the Village Zendo
The Village Zendo’s next student initiation (“Tangaryo”) will be held on Friday, November 18. If you have not yet formally become a student at the Village Zendo, and wish to do so, please read the information below. To learn more about becoming a student, please e-mail Sensei Randall Ryotan Eiger at membership@villagezendo.org.
Student Initiation (“Tangaryo”)
One of the requirements for becoming a Student Member of Village Zendo is “Tangaryo,” or all-day sitting. This custom dates to the earliest days of Zen when those wishing to enter into training would sit for long periods of time in order to demonstrate the sincerity of their aspiration. Tanga is a Japanese term meaning “staying until the morning.” It refers to the overnight stay in a Zen monastery of a wandering monk on pilgrimage. The room set aside for this purpose was known as the tangaryo.
At the Village Zendo we have continued this tradition. After discussing their wish to become a student with Roshi, student candidates devote a day to Tangaryo. The day begins with zazen that continues until mid-afternoon. The zazen is unstructured — no bells ring to mark the end of the period and there is no kinhin. Candidates may take short breaks, if needed, to go to the bathroom or refresh themselves for further sitting.
In the middle of the afternoon, Tangaryo ends and, shortly afterwards, the new students exchange bows and sit down to tea with Roshi who greets them on behalf of the Village Zendo teaching staff. It is customary at this time to present Roshi with a small monetary donation — there is no minimum or maximum amount required. Roshi and Joshin Sensei have asked that, due to the limited space in their apartment, students refrain from giving them gifts.
With the conclusion of this ceremony, student initiation is complete.
Tangaryo Schedule
7:30-12:00 zazen
12:00-1:00 lunch
1:00-3:30 zazen
3:30-4:00 break
4:00-5:00 tea with the teacher
Zazenkai – Dharma talk by Shinryu Sensei
Jan. 3, 2012 - Posted in: Blog, Events - Comments Off
| February 11, 2012 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 5:00 pm |
The Village Zendo’s monthly one-day retreat (zazenkai) is a great way to experience a short, intensive meditation retreat right here in the city. People are welcome to come for the entire day or any portion of it, but need to inform the registrar in advance.
Instruction is available for those who are unfamiliar with Zen rituals and procedures. Please make sure to contact the registrar in advance if you need instruction.
Pre-registration required: $25 for members, $50 for non-members.
For more information, please contact Kaizen: registrar@villagezendo.org
zazen . oryoki lunch . dharma talk by Shinryu Sensei
8:15 Zazen
8:50 Verse of the Kesa, Kinhin
9:05 Zazen
9:40 Kinhin
9:50 Zazen
10:20 Kinhin
10:30 Dharma Talk by Shinryu
11:05 Kinhin
11:20 Zazen
11:50 Kinhin
12:00 Oryoki Lunch
12:45 Clean Up, Silent Rest
1:30 Zazen
2:00 Kinhin
2:10 Zazen
2:40 Kinhin
2:50 Zazen
3:20 Service (Standing Service: Heart Sutra, Sho Sai Myo Kichijo Dharani, Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo)
3:45 Zazen
4:15 Kinhin
4:25 Open Sozan
5:00 Four Vows
Dharma Talk – Roshi
Jan. 11, 2012 - Posted in: Events - Comments Off
| February 12, 2012 | ||
| 11:45 am | to | 12:30 pm |
Dharma Talk – Kaizen
Jan. 11, 2012 - Posted in: Events - Comments Off
| February 16, 2012 | ||
| 6:35 pm | to | 7:05 pm |
Kaizen will give a dharma talk.
Film – Side Effects
Feb. 2, 2012 - Posted in: Events - Comments Off
| February 17, 2012 | ||
| 7:30 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
Please join the Village Zendo for an early look at Sangha member Traven Fusho Rice’s short film, Side Effects.
A young woman, desperate for money, enters a risky month-long drug trial. In isolation from friends and family, she finds herself on a strange journey that is both harrowing and life changing.
Written and directed by Traven Fusho Rice
Starring Carla Quevedo and Robert Beitzel
Cinematography by Eduardo Fierro
Original music composed and performed by Boshra AlSaadi and Mike Duncan. Composer Mike Duncan will join us.
20 minutes. A discussion will follow. Refreshments.
$10 suggested donation.
For more information contact Musho
The World in a Cup
Nov. 7, 2011 - Posted in: Events - Comments Off
| February 18, 2012 | ||
| 10:00 am | to | 5:00 pm |

Kizaemon Tea-Bowl, 16th Century
Experience the wonder and teachings of the cup. This simple primal vessel form embodies relationship, space, containment, use, posture, touch, character…See how the activity of making allows us to more fully appreciate the spaciousness and intimacy that is always present and so easy to miss in our lives. No previous clay experience needed, just bring your beginners mind. Pieces will be fired and glazed.
Day Long Workshop with Sensei Myoko Terestman
Saturday February 18, 2012
10 am to 5 pm
Cost: $75 includes materials
Workshop limited to 15 participants

Myoko Sensei is a studio potter working in a studio in Jersey City. She also teaches ceramics at Greenwich House Pottery and various other places around the city.
To register contact: annetierney@mindspring.com
Dharma Talk – Seicho
Jan. 13, 2012 - Posted in: Events - Comments Off
| February 19, 2012 | ||
| 11:45 am | to | 12:30 pm |
Seicho will give a Dharma talk.



