Friday film

Although it’s a holiday weekend, a handful of folks were on hand for tonight’s movie, Book of the Dead.  Everyone agreed it’s a beautiful film, and as the story is set in Japan’s Nara period, we had the opportunity to talk about the arrival of Buddhism in that country.

It was the last movie for this year, since the second and fourth Fridays in December are otherwise taken up.  The 7th is the first day of our Rohatsu sesshin, and MZC will be closed on the 23rd for the holidays.

Nature. Beauty. Gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Buddhas at the Met

Visit this page to have a look at the nearly 500 images of Buddha in the collection of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.  It also has more than 300 images of bodhisattvas, which you can see here.  To read the museum’s thematic essay on Zen and see related artworks, go to this page.

Formless field takes form

Here’s Kevin Kostick, immersed in sewing practice as he worked on his rakusu this afternoon.  Kevin is a husband, father, and language arts teacher who’s been practicing at MZC for several years.

Kevin pins his next panel

Buddhism in the New York Times

The New York Times indexes its Buddhism-related pieces on this page.  The index, which offers free online content, includes both written articles and multimedia pieces.  It’s a handy resource for keeping up on current events in Buddhism around the world.

Stitch by stitch

Here’s Saad Akbar Khan, sewing this afternoon on his rakusu.  Saad first became a part of the MZC sangha in 2009.  He’s one of three men making rakusus this fall at MZC.

A busy place!

It was a busy weekend here at MZC, with Buddha and the Box Office happening Friday evening (a showing of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Winds), followed by our November two-day sitting on Saturday and Sunday.  Monday evening the board of directors gathered for a very productive meeting that included discussion of some new options for our practice in 2012.  Tomorrow we launch into another week of zazen practice, leading up to our Saturday oryoki breakfast and dharma book discussion group.  Please join us when you can!

Plan now for Great Sky Sesshin

In the run-up to another midwest winter, it’s not too early to begin planning for Great Sky Sesshin 2012 at Hokyoji Zen Practice Community in southern Minnesota, set to happen August 11-18.

The purpose of this Soto Zen style sesshin is to draw together teachers and practitioners for seven days of deepening their understanding of the dharma under the extraordinary big sky of Hokyoji.  It’s a beautiful rural setting of meadow, forest and rolling hills. with simple accommodations and a daily schedule of zazen, dharma talks, services, dokusan, meals with oryoki, tea breaks and work periods.

Check our website for more information as it develops, but mark your calendar today!

Participants at Great Sky sesshin

 

Visit our gift shop

Go here to visit Milwaukee Zen Center’s online gift shop.  There you can find a variety of totes, clothing, mugs and other items imprinted with our logo.  Be sure to have a look at our 2012 calendar, MZC Moments, featuring images of our center and the words of Resident Priest Emerita Tonen O’Connor.  Proceeds from our gift shop sales go to support MZC.

Buddhist-Christian dialogue

The Zen Center was filled with energy today as we were visited by students from Ripon College, accompanied by Dr. Brian Smith of that school’s Department of Religion, for a conversation about Buddhism and Christianity.  The lively discussion lasted two hours, and was followed by a brief introduction to zazen for the visitors and an informal lunch.  Both sides agreed that the event was really enjoyable and worthwhile, and Hoko and Dr.Smith are considering holding similar events next year.

Two of the students discuss their views in the zendo

Sangha members and visitors get to know each other in the zendo.

Ripon visitors and sangha members