It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the environmental problems we face. Climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and other issues are enormous challenges. Yet each of us has the power to take action. Every choice we make in our daily lives can contribute to positive change, and one such choice, hard as…
Taisen Deshimaru was a Japanese Zen master, fundamental in bringing zazen the heart of Zen Buddhism to Europe. Born in 1914, he trained extensively in Japan before World War II. After the war, he resumed his training and was ordained as a Zen monk. The Arrival of Zen in Europe In the 1960s, Zen monk…
Koan on the Teaching Never Explained The teaching never explained is a Zen koan that conveys a teaching of the Buddha. In a moment close to his death, the Buddha confessed to his disciples that he had explained nothing. What is this teaching that he never explained? A koan is a Zen riddle that challenges…
The Eight Awakenings of the Great Beings Before his death, the Buddha gave his disciples one final teaching so they could continue on the path of full awareness eternally: the Eight Awakenings of the Great Beings. The great beings are the Buddhas, the awakened ones, those who follow the path of full awareness. Practicing these…
Why a Meditation and Mindfulness Instructor Certification? The Meditation and Mindfulness Instructor Certification is a theoretical and practical training that equips us to guide others in these practices. Sharing and teaching meditation to others is an act of generosity and compassion, offering undeniable benefits. However, if we are not properly prepared to teach, those we…
The Ten Stages of Ox Herding: A Zen Teaching The Ten Stages of Ox Herding is a well-known Zen teaching, and perhaps one of the first stories we encounter when beginning the study of Zen. In a conventional academic career, we acquire knowledge, complete courses, and earn degrees. However, in the Zen tradition, the use…
At the Open House Sangha Party, Zen Kannon offers an open session for friends and family of its active practitioners. The event will begin with a brief meditation, suitable for everyone, preferably seated on the floor on a cushion, although it can also be done on a bench or chair. Ceremony dedicated to Zen ancestors…
