of El Paso-Juarez
is an awakening
to the dynamic reality of the present moment.
In
Zen practice, we meditate to bring calm and attentive focus on “right here,
right now.” Through meditation practice, we grow increasingly able to live
our lives in the present moment throughout the day.
Zen
is a spiritual path, a path of inter-connection, of seeing through all duality
that separates “me” from “other”, of living the awareness that there is
no separation.
The
practice of Zen is life itself, embodying radical inquiry into the true
nature of the Self and of the true nature of reality. To practice Zen meditation
is in itself an expression of this reality, an embodiment of the awakened
state.
Zen
meditation develops a centered, focused awareness, integrating body and
mind into the heart of life itself. In zazen (seated silent meditation),
we assume a posture of dynamic relaxation and experience fully the natural,
relaxed flow of the breath as the mind’s attention comes to the present
moment.
Where did Zen come from?
Zen
practice grew from the initial experience of the enlightenment (awakening)
of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha (the awakened one), 2500 years
ago. The practices and teachings of the Buddha spread from India to China
where they picked up influences from Taoism. Taoist influenced Buddhism
came to Japan as “Zen” – which is the Japanese translation of the Sanskrit
word “dhyana” which means meditation. The emphasis in Zen is on meditation
rather than study of sutras.
Sanbo
Kyodan (Three Treasures) Zen combines aspects of the two main Japanese Zen
traditions: Soto and Rinzai. Sanbo Kyodan Zen derives from Zen master Harada
(1871-1961) and his pupil and dharma heir, Zen master Yasutani (1885-1973).
While Sanbo Kyodan is small among Buddhist organizations in post-war
Japan, the school has produced the lion's share of all Zen teachers in the
US, Europe, and Australia.
Is Zen a religion?
It
can be – yet need not be. Zen practice and the teachings in the body of
Zen literature are available to be adopted as a religion. Yet Zen is also
available to Christians, Jews, Moslems, Hindus, atheists – anyone. You don’t
have to change your religion in order to take up Zen practice and learn
deep insights from 1500 years of Zen masters.
In
Sanbo Kyodan Zen centers, Zen is taught as nonsectarian. Zen is a wonderful
practice of wisdom, compassion, living in the present moment, and realizing
your true self. This practice is available to people of any (or no) religion.
At Border Zen Center
Zazen
(seated meditation): 25 min.
Kinhin
(walking meditation): 10 min.
Zazen:
25 min.
Unison
readings
Tea
served
Dharma
Discussion
Closing
bows
For
our “Dharma Discussion” we usually discuss a different chapter each week
from a book of Zen teachings.
.
Begun
in October 2003, Border Zen Center’s mission is to support Zen practice
in the El Paso-Juarez area
Border
Zen Center is led by William Turner a Zen practitioner since 1976.
Border
Zen Center is affiliated with the Maria Kannon Zen Center (Dallas, TX) and
the Sanbo Kyodan school of Zen. BZC is also the Unitarian Universalist Community
of El Paso chapter of the Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship.
Ruben Habito
is the resident teacher of the Maria Kannon
Zen Center (Dallas). Born in the Philippines, Ruben came to Japan as a Jesuit
priest in 1970. He studied Zen in Japan until 1989, receiving authorization
to teach Zen by Yamada Koun (1907-1989) of the Sanbo Kyodan lineage. Ruben
is on the faculty of the School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.
Membership
in the Border Zen Center is open to anyone who accepts the Ten Precepts
of Zen and wishes to support BZC’s mission.
Members
have a voice in shaping the growth and direction of BZC.
Suggested
donation of $20/month or up to $5 per meeting for those able to
contribute.
For
more information, contact William Turner at:
wcturner@utep.edu
915-747-7146
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