Online Training
Participating in the ZenWords online course strengthened my practice in several ways. Zen Writing Practice was a new form of meditation to me that I appreciated learning from Kuya. Dharma talks arriving in my inbox helped ground and focus my time on the computer. Finally, and most importantly, having an online sangha motivated and supported my daily zazen.
Donna Lindsay, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Winter 2013 Training Term.
Winter Training Term - Penetrating The Heart Sutra
The Creston Zendo will have a full Winter Training Term beginning on Friday, January 11 and ending on April 7. During this training term we will be studying The Heart Sutra. Face-to-face classes will be on Tuesday evenings at the zendo.
The texts for this study are:
Red Pine comments at length on each line of the sutra.
Zen Words for the Heart, Hakuin
Hakuin's book is a collection of small commentaries on each line of the sutra.
The Heart Sutra contains the essence of the Buddha's teachings. It covers more of the teachings in a shorter span than any other sutra. It is the great torch that lights the darkest road, a swift boat that ferries us across the sea of suffering. During the training term we will be using Red Pine's translation in our morning chanting.
Participation in a training term is available for both local students and online students and gives everyone an opportunity for a more intense practice. For locals, it involves attending a weekly class, taking on a zendo job (such as bell ringing, zendo management, library assistance etc.), sitting at the zendo at least once a week and participating in online study. For online students, it involves establishing a home-based practice. For both online and local students, the training term involves self-monitored sitting meditation, walking meditation, work meditation (samu), reading, commentary and writing practice as well as attendance at least one of three face-to-face retreats (Preferably the five-day retreat at the end of the training term.)
I’ve been practicing with the support of on-line community for over 10 years. Kuya’s attentive and compassionate facilitation, along with the flexibility of on-line study and discussion, have provided me with the precious opportunity to foster connection with kindred spirits while challenging and deepening my practice amidst the never-ending winds of change.
Anne Moyles, Kitimat, BC
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