Events

Silence, Stillness & Awakening

February 2-7, 2010

Tenshin Reb Anderson returns to lead a 5-day retreat. Please click on the Retreat link for full information and a downloadable registration form.

Calligraphy in Color

March 19-21, 2010

The wonder of ink and a brush -- in the hands of a great calligraphy master. Kaz Tanahashi, artist, calligrapher, activist and translator, returns to Houston Zen Center to teach calligraphy to non-artists, Zen students, as well as beginning and experienced artists. Presence of mind in the practice of the Way is experienced simply and elegantly in the one-day workshop. The Workshop will use color as well as traditional black inks and paints.

More details will be added in the coming weeks.

Reception and Silent Auction
Friday, March 19 at 7 pm
Dharma Talk on Dogen's Teaching
Saturday, March 20 9:45 am, Donations welcome
Circle of the Way
One Day of Calligraphy Teaching
Sunday, March 21 9 am - 4 pm

Kaz Tanahashi, an important translator of Zen texts, will demonstrate calligraphy and discuss his forthcoming complete translation of Dogen Zenji's master work, Shobogenzo, which Kaz has titled Circle of the Way. Everyone is welcome.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

To receive occasional email flyers for upcoming retreats and special events, send your email address to Announcements@houstonzen.org.

CLASSES

Classes at Houston Zen Center are taught by our Guiding Teacher, Gaelyn Godwin, or by senior members of HZC. There is a modest charge for classes but scholarships are readily available. Bruce McMills will answer any questions about costs and scholarships.

Classes are open to everyone and are generally designed for all levels or practice experience, from beginners to experienced practitioners, unless otherwise specified.

The class list is frequently updated. The current offerings are:

INTRODUCTION TO ZEN MEDITATION

Taught by Gaelyn Godwin, Sensei
and Mike Keller
Apr. 8–May 13
No class April 29
7:00–8:15 pm
5 Thursdays
Next Class:
Jun. 1–Jul. 8

For people new to meditation, this class series will provide an introduction to Zen meditation. Each class will include a brief period of meditation, beginning with 10 minutes and working up to 30 minutes at the end of the series. The course is designed to provide a basis of practice and to de-mystify meditation.

Each class will include a presentation on basic Zen philosophy and a discussion of how to practice Zen in daily life, while walking, working, vacationing, shopping — that is, how to practice mindfully anytime, anywhere.

Cost is $75 for the series. Scholarships are available. No one is turned away for lack of funds. Register by phone at HZC, 713-869-1952.

INTRODUCTION TO BASIC BUDDHIST CONCEPTS

Taught by Mike Keller, a Senior Zen Practitioner of HZC
Jan. 5–Feb. 16
6 Tuesdays
No class Feb. 2
6:30–8:30 pm

This 6 week series is an Intermediate Class designed for those who have taken the Introduction to Zen Meditation series. Anyone who has meditation experience is also welcome to attend.

The class introduces some basic Buddhist concepts, including Dependent Co-Arising and Emptiness, Interdependence, Non-Self, Impermanence, Nirvana, Relative/Absolute Truth, Signlessness, Non-goal-seeking, the Five Aggregates (or Skandas), the Four Noble Truths, and the Eightfold Path.

Each evening will begin with a period of meditation followed by a discussion of the evening's topic.

The text for the class, Thich Nhat Hanh's The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching is available for purchase at the Center.

Cost is $60 for the 6 week series, $25 for members of HZC. Register by phone at HZC, 713-869-1952.

EMBRACING ZEN FORMS

Feb. 18–Apr. 1, 2010
6 Thursdays
No class Mar. 18
6:30–8:30 pm
Taught by Isshin Glen Snyder, the Ino of HZC, and other Senior Zen Practitioners

This class is open to beginning and intermediate practitioners, as well as long-time HZC members who would like to refresh their knowledge of the devotional forms carried out in the Soto Zen tradition. The six-week class will provide hands-on experience in Zen forms as well as weekly discussion, and suggested activities during the week.

First Week: Temple Etiquette
Second Week: Drums, bells and kaishaku/clackers
Third Week: Chants used in daily service and in ceremonies
Fourth Week: Dharanis and Chants in Sino-Japanese
Fifth Week: Chanting longer sutras and Buddhist texts
Sixth Week: Serving and receiving food in oryoki

Full information is available on the flyer, or contact the Ino at info@houstonzen.org if you have questions.