We are dedicated to the practice of sitting meditation
As a Soto Zen temple in the lineage of Kobun Chino Roshi, we practice Shikantaza, or just sitting, free from strategies, techniques and rules.
“Sitting shikantaza is the place itself, and things...When you sit, the cushion sits with you. If you wear glasses, the glasses sit with you. Clothing sits with you. House sits with you. People who are moving around outside all sit with you... Sitting shikantaza does not depend on human intellect. It is not something you understand. It’s indescribable. We say the contents of sitting are beyond our thinking system or our sensations. Belief or confidence is not what we usually think it is. Doing shikantaza shows utter trust and belief in it. If you explain shikantaza it becomes something which you don’t understand, but you can experience sitting with everything with the understanding that everything is there, is there with you.”
-Kobun Chino Roshi
DOWNLOAD OUR SUNDAY LITURGY:
“Sitting shikantaza is the place itself, and things...When you sit, the cushion sits with you. If you wear glasses, the glasses sit with you. Clothing sits with you. House sits with you. People who are moving around outside all sit with you... Sitting shikantaza does not depend on human intellect. It is not something you understand. It’s indescribable. We say the contents of sitting are beyond our thinking system or our sensations. Belief or confidence is not what we usually think it is. Doing shikantaza shows utter trust and belief in it. If you explain shikantaza it becomes something which you don’t understand, but you can experience sitting with everything with the understanding that everything is there, is there with you.”
-Kobun Chino Roshi
DOWNLOAD OUR SUNDAY LITURGY:
| sunday_service_3_15_2022.pdf |
ACTIVITIES AND FEES
SUNDAY SERVICE AT THE ZENDO
10:55 am – Han (wooden gong) is struck calling practitioners to the zendo
11am Morning Service
11:10–11:30am Zazen (sitting meditation)
11:30–11:40am Kin Hin (walking meditation)
11:40–12:10am Dharma Talk
12:10–12:20 Break
12:20–1:00pm Tea and Discussion
1pm Final Bows
THURSDAY BOOK STUDY
We gather together on Thursdays from 6– 7 p.m. to discuss Buddhist teachings. Currently we are studying Kosho Uchiyama's, Opening the Hand of Thought.
DOKUSAN
Private meetings (Dokusan) with Meido, our Guiding Teacher are available by appointment. It is customary to offer expressions of gratitude (Teacher Dana) when receiving Dokusan. Dana can be offered through financial contributions to the teacher or Samu (work) practice. To schedule an appointment email: banderson@oanzendo.org
RETREATS
Our Zendo is a peaceful and serene place to grow in your practice. We also offer members the opportunity to spend time here on personal retreats. A personal retreat can last from one day to one month. Our fully furnished one-bedroom apartment with full kitchen and living area offers the opportunity for O-An members to deepen their practice. Our Guiding Teacher, Meido, can offer a tailored retreat schedule and Dokusan (private meetings) if you wish to have this as part of your retreat.
Rates for overnight stay are $50 per night (May 1 - October 31) and $75 per night (November 1 - April 30.)
FULL DAY RETREATS/ORYOKI LUNCH
In addition to our regular Sunday service and weeknight meditations, we hold monthly Full Day Sittings with a ceremonial 3-bowl Oryoki lunch. A suggested donation of $30 is encouraged for non-members and $25 for members.
We also offer the use of our Zendo for group retreats or meetings.
SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS
ROHATSU
ROHATSU, celebrated in December, commemorates Buddha’s Enlightenment.
VESAK
In the spring we celebrate BUDDHA’S BIRTH.
UDUMBARA
We conduct the UDUMBARA Ceremony in the summer to honor the first transmission of the Buddha’s teaching.
O-BON
Fall brings O-BON, a lantern lighting ceremony, releasing those who have departed over the past year, and invite their spirits back for a brief visit.
Friends and family are invited to attend all our special events and ceremonies.
OTHER ACTIVITIES/ZENDO RENTAL
The Zendo is open for daily informal yoga, and periodically offers classes and workshops in Yoga, Karate-Do, T’ai Chi, QiGong, Calligraphy, and Japanese Ceremonial Tea.
Accomplished teachers from many spiritual traditions pass through our doors giving classes, demonstrations, and workshops. We also offer the use of our Zendo for group retreats, meetings, and special events.
Contact Us for more information about any of these offerings.
In these and other forms of outreach, O-An expresses its commitment to Engaged Buddhist practice, to the health and wellbeing of the ever-expanding community of life with which we are inextricably connected.
Ethics Statement
| o-an_ethics_statement.pdf |