ZEN meditation

Gain deep mindfulness and inner peace

Zazenkai

Zazenkai is a traditional Zen Buddhist practice that is often translated as “zazen meeting”. This is a one-day meditation retreat that takes place regularly on a monthly basis or on special occasions. During zazenkai, practitioners come together to practice intensive meditation, usually for several hours at a time. Participants follow a structured schedule that includes various sitting meditations (zazen), walking meditations (kinhin) and short periods of rest. Zazenkais provide an opportunity for deep spiritual practice and allow participants to deepen their meditation skills, strengthen their concentration and experience an atmosphere of community and mutual support.

Sesshin

Sesshin is a central component of Zen practice and refers to an intensive meditation retreat experience that often lasts several days. Literally translated, sesshin means “bringing the mind together” and focuses on immersing students deeply in Zen meditation. Typically, long hours of meditation are practiced on cushions, benches or chairs during a sesshin.
These are interspersed with short periods of walking meditation.
In addition to meditation, a sesshin also includes teisho (lectures), dokusan (personal discussions with the teacher) and the opportunity to participate in Eucharistic celebrations.
Silence is maintained throughout the sesshin.
This creates an atmosphere of concentration and deepening.
The aim is to deepen one’s own spiritual practice and gain a deeper insight into the nature of the mind.

Sanbōzen: A journey through the history and benefits of this Zen practice

Sanbōzen history

Sanbōzen, a Zen practice that has its roots in the Japanese Zen tradition, is becoming increasingly popular around the world. This practice, which is often translated as “three-treasure meditation”, combines elements from various Zen schools and was developed by Hakuun Yasutani Roshi in the 20th century. To better understand the history and benefits of Sanbōzen, it is worth taking a look at its development and unique approach. The history of Sanbōzen goes back to the middle of the 20th century, when Hakuun Yasutani Roshi began to teach this practice. Yasutani Roshi, a student of Rinzai Zen, integrated elements of Sōtō Zen and Rinzai Zen as well as influences from Western psychology to create a comprehensive and accessible method of Zen practice. His students, including Philip Kapleau Roshi, helped to bring the practice of Sanbōzen to the West and make it accessible to a wider audience. The Sanbōzen approach is characterized by its emphasis on the direct experience of enlightenment, which it describes as the “awakening to the true self”. The three treasures are at the center of the practice: Great Trustworthiness (jap. daishi), Great Wisdom (jap. daiji) and Great Love (jap. daiai). Through intensive meditation, including zazen (sitting meditation) and koan work, as well as personal encounters with the teacher, students are encouraged to deepen their own experience and gain a direct realization of the truth.

Sanbōzen advantages

The benefits of Sanbōzen are manifold and extend beyond personal growth. Through the practice of meditation and working with koans, practitioners can gain a profound insight into the nature of the mind and develop a deeper understanding of their own existence.

In addition, Sanbōzen promotes the development of compassion, serenity and clarity in daily life, which can lead to an improved quality of life and greater prosperity for society as a whole.

In an increasingly hectic and stressful world, the Sanbōzen can provide a valuable space of stillness and retreat where practitioners can calm down and connect with their innermost being.

By exploring the depths of the human experience and recognizing the essence of their being, Sanbōzen students can help create a world of peace, harmony and mutual understanding

Dates and groups

Dates of planned activities

Please check the CURRENT NOTES regularly for news on new and/or additional (online) offers, location changes, cancellations, etc.

As part of our program, we offer various meditation activities:

Zazenkai: One-day zazenkais are held regularly every month and on special occasions, usually on a Saturday or Sunday.
Courses offered: Our courses include introductory courses, two-day zazenkais and multi-day sesshins.

If you have any questions about meditation or planned visits please contact us with pleasure!

With the willingness to enter into silence, you bring the most important and most valuable thing with you. You are welcome to come to the regular evening appointments and monthly zazenkais without prior registration (unless otherwise noted) (information for first-time visitors). In the introductory courses you will be familiarized with the peculiarities of a sesshin and zazenkai as well as the inner and outer posture. The daily routine of a Zen course lasting several days comprises a total of seven hours of sitting meditation on various seats, interspersed with walking meditation. This includes a motivational talk (Teisho), personal discussions with the course leader (Dokusan) and participation in the church service (Eucharist), which is optional. The silence of all participants is a prerequisite and makes the sesshin an intense personal experience. If you decide to follow the path of Zen contemplation and have been accepted as a student, we work mainly with koans. If you are undergoing psychological therapy/psychotherapy, please speak to your therapist before taking part in our courses. Please wear discreet, dark clothing.
You will show respect if you avoid sporty or very loose clothing such as shorts, sleeveless shirts, leggings, jogging suits and tracksuits.

Participation in the program