“Transmission of zazen is the whole truth of the Buddha-Dharma”
Sit with us at the Dojo
You are welcome to join us at the Dojo at the following times, provided you’ve previously attended an introductory session **
- 07:00-08:00 Tuesday zazen
- 18:00-19:30 Wednesday zazen
- 07:00-08:00 Thursday zazen
- 18:00-19:30 Friday zazen
- 08:30-10:30 Sunday zazen
- 08:30-13:00 Monthly Zen Half Day *
* On Zen Half Days, usually the first Sunday each month (but see Planned Schedule), we have a formal breakfast (genmai), a work period (samu) and further ‘sits’ following normal Sunday zazen
** Please contact us to arrange an introductory session. These are usually held, by prior arrangement, on Wednesday evenings at 5.30pm but do check the calendar . Other times are possible if arranged in advance
>>> The calendar is now on its own page. Please use this link & update your bookmark <<<
Zen Days
We continue to offer occasional Zen Days at the Dojo, led by visiting teachers or by our own senior monks, nuns and practitioners. Here Zen beginners and practitioners can engage in more intensive sitting, and ask questions to clarify & deepen their practice.
What happens at the Dojo
Zazen
Our main activity is to sit shikantaza – that is to say, we just sit in silence, facing the wall, trying to remain alert and present rather than being distracted by thoughts about the past or future, or giving way to sleepiness. This takes energy and concentration, though we try to keep the body itself relaxed.
Kinhin
‘Sits’ are generally either 25 or 40 minutes long, perhaps interspersed with a few minutes of kinhin – slow walking meditation – during which we aim to maintain the same upright alertness, the same zazen mind.
Ceremony
Ceremony is a halfway-house between seated zazen and busy life in the everyday world – in which we have to cope with many distractions. Through chanting and bowing together, we learn to concentrate our minds and awareness while taking action in the world.
We often chant the Heart Sutra and the Four Bodhisattva Vows in Sino-Japanese. This is a common language whether we’re practising alongside British, European or Japanese teachers.
Teaching at Bristol Zen Dojo
We offer teaching in the dojo by senior practitioners – both resident and visitors – during sits (Kusen), as talks (Teisho) and question/response sessions (Mondo). Questions from remote attendees are welcome, through the WhatsApp channel or in advance over email.
We are sorry we are not able to provide guidance to those with a home practice who do not also practice with us in person or online. The reason is that the essence of Zen teaching is ‘Not Always So’: there is no single abstract answer independent of your personal situation. For us to advise you on your practice, we need to have some relationship with you and develop an intuitive appreciation of who you are.
We offer a Substack newsletter which distributes short write-ups of some of the teachings given at Bristol Zen Dojo, on themes such as “Zen and Emotions” and “Effort in Zen Practice”.
If you want a weekly bite-size taste of Zen from us, then please do sign up. There is no need to create a Substack account to do this, and it is possible to view the existing posts without signing up. Any problems signing up, email seiho@izauk.net and Chris can add you to the list.
Dojo-Live Broadcasts
You can join us for zazen & ceremony while you sit in your own space. We run regular Dojo-Live broadcasts from the Dojo, using internet radio. We also participate in, and translate into English, Tenborin Zoom transmissions on Saturday mornings.
The past week’s broadcasts can also be accessed. Advice is available on Zazen at Home, and practising with us online.
If you sit with us regularly online, email us to ask to join the WhatsApp group of online sitters.
Keeping in Touch
For news about talks, mondos, informal meals, events, half-days, Zen weekends and Sesshin (retreats), please:
- send an email to info@zenbristol.co.uk asking to join our mailing list
- follow us on social media using the links at the bottom of the page