Archives 2023

Inka Ceremony

18/12/2023

Zen River Successors Gathering

18/12/2023

Jukai Ceremony

17/12/2023

The following Zen River members received Jukai from Tenkei Roshi during the December Gyoji Week. Hinke Goshin 悟 信 (Enlightenment Faith) Haisma, Ian Doryu 道隆 (Path to Prosper) Menezes, and Paul 隱山 Inzan (Hidden Mountain) de Jager. Congratulations!

Musical Recital

16/12/2023

On December 16th, Tine Chikyo Proper and Judith van Swaay treated Zen River to a cello and piano recital. It was a wonderful performance

December Update

09/12/2023

Dear friends,

Winter Ango got off to a strong start with Rohatsu and the Shuso Entering Ceremony for Marloes Myokan Harkema. As an inspirational theme for his Dharma talks, Tenkei Roshi used some of the teachings of the late Harada Tangen Roshi, collected in the book Throw Yourself into the House of Buddha. After sesshin, our dear old friend Ciska Shizuka Matthes—who studied with Tangen Roshi in Bukkokoji for many years— gave a spirited presentation of a book she recently published under the title Herinneringen aan Harada Tangen Roshi. We were also delighted to welcome Michel Genko Dubois Roshi from Paris as a special guest teacher. His presence and enchanting Dharma talk added greatly to the atmosphere. Senko de Boer Sensei also participated and captivated everyone with an intriguing koan presentation. As for the other participants, there was a happy international mix of seniors and juniors—a great Sangha gathering.

The daily Ango practice continues with a team of long-term and short-term residents and a Gyoji week is coming up soon (December 16-21). That week will be action-packed! Peter Gakudo Sensei from Keiryuji in the Pyrenees and Jorge Ryusho Sensei from Lima, Peru, and all the other successors of Tenkei Roshi will get together at Zen River on Saturday, December 16. At 14:00 Tine Chikyo Proper and Judith van Swaay will treat us on a concert (piano and cello), and the next day will feature a Jukai ceremony for Paul de Jager, Ian Menezes and Hinke Haisma at 16:30.

To round it all off, on Wednesday, December 20 Tutti Cantano—the choir Myoho Roshi, Doin Sensei, and Izzy Esho are part of—will pay us an extensive visit, just like last year. It clearly called for a repeat! The choir members are scheduled to arrive at 17:30 and their musical performance will take place at 19:45, after a festive dinner. Everyone is heartily invited to join us for this special occasion. And if you would like to help in the kitchen, you are more than welcome.

Further ahead, this Winter Ango will include the New Year’s sesshin (in two parts), the Bodhidharma weekend retreat, and the Ango closing sesshin culminating in the Hossenshiki ceremony. No time to get bored! Last but not least, the November fundraiser for green insulation roofs over the kitchen and glass hallway is doing very well. But we are not quite there yet. And we are grateful for any donation you could make. Many thanks in advance and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Winter O-Membership

09/12/2023

Frosty skies at Rohatsu Sesshin

& Ango Opening for Shuso Myokan

01/12/2023

Marloes Myokan Harkema began the Winter Ango as shuso at the start of Rohatsu with a beautiful weather backdrop.

Newsletter Fall 2023

14/11/2023

Annual Fundraiser 2023

A Green Roof

14/11/2023

Thanks to the annual fundraisers over the last few years, we have been able to improve the insulation of the whole Zen River property and move towards greener energy resources.
Solar panels have already been installed on the roof of the main building, and many of the old windows have been replaced by new ones that feature double glazing—including the large windows in the kitchen. Alarming climatological issues and soaring energy prices have made all of this more urgent than ever. And, obviously, the work is not finished yet…
In summer, all the cavity walls of the property were filled with mineral wool insulation material. Fortunately, these costs could be included in our annual budget. But for the next move, we would like to ask for your help again. Read on…

700-year Memorial Service for Keizen Zenji

At the Soto School meeting in La Gendronnière, Valaire, France

14/10/2023

Training nun Rev. Tenmyo Dojima

12/08/2023

Light & Levity Workshop with Moshe Coen

26/09/2023

Clown Workshop with Moshe Coen

September 22 – 24

15/08/2023

Shusohossenshiki Ceremony for Senko Hop

19/08/2023

Summer Month-Long Ceremonies

05/08/2023

This summer Ango has witnessed many ceremonies in the last few weeks! And on Saturday, August 19, the grand Shusohossenshiki ceremony will take place for Willem-Jan Senko Hop, who has been Zen Rivers’ enthusiastic shuso during this monthlong retreat.

Jukai Ceremony: Congratulations to Herbert Gozan 剛山 (Strong Mountain) van Schelven who received jukai during the second week of the month-long sesshin at Zen River

A special ceremony – sometimes referred to as “Kompirasan” – was held outdoors while chanting the Daihishin Dharani and offering incense. It is an old pre-Buddhist ceremony held to bless and protect the land. It has been conducted several times during this summer month-long.

A beautiful Segaki Ceremony was held to help hungry ghosts be released from their suffering.

And a Ryaku Fusatsu (atonement ceremony) was held on the occasion of the full moon.

Hungry ghost is a term in Buddhism, and Chinese traditional religion, representing beings who are driven by intense emotional needs in an animalistic way. The terms 餓鬼 èguǐ literally “hungry ghost”, are the Chinese translation of the term preta in Buddhism.

Continuous Renovations

22/07/2023

As energy costs drive upward Zen River is gradually replacing all the old windows and doors with double-glazing and insulation. It’s a long-term project spanning several years.

Young Minds Seminar

10/07/2023

The Young Minds Seminar was well attended this year, with nineteen young minds joining the event. The schedule included zazen, services – including one dedicated to the land – work periods, yoga, painting class with Tenkei Roshi and taiko drum sessions with Esho des Etoiles.

Spring-Summer Newsletter

10/07/2023

Book and Earth Treasure Vases Gift

10/07/2023

This week, Zen River received a wonderful donation of Buddhist Sutras in Chinese language and two kalashas (Earth treasure vases). The books are displayed, along with the kalashas, by the participants in this year’s Young Minds Seminar.

The kalashas are made by an old Tibetan monk from the Nyingma lineage, and each kalasha is filled with sacred ornaments that are often buried in the ground to protect the surroundings. This link about Earth Treasure Vases gives more detailed information.

The list of books are;

One copy of 地藏菩萨本愿经 Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra

One copy of 金刚般若波罗蜜经 Vajra Prajna Paramita Sutra

One copy of 妙法莲华经-观世音菩萨普门品 The Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Dharma – Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

One copy of 大方广佛华严经 Dafang Guangfo Huayan Sutra

One copy of 大佛顶首楞严经 Shurangama Sutra

One copy of 妙法莲华经 The Lotus Sutra

The Taiko Drumming Workshop

27/06/2023

The taiko workshop led by Marco, and assisted by Mark and Izzy, was enjoyed by everyone – including the neighbours who were invited for the grand finale!

White Plum Meeting

24/05/2023

On June 15-18, Zen River hosted the European branch of the White Plum for their annual meeting. Simultaneous meetings were held at Great Vow in Oregon, Zen Mountain Center in Los Angeles in the USA, and Stonewater Zen in the UK. It was a rewarding occasion for everyone.

Announce
Taiko Drumming Workshop June 23-25

24/05/2023

Zen River is happy to once again welcome Marco Lienhard, this time for a weekend of Taiko drumming. There will also be an energetic Taiko performance in the garden that is open to everyone. Workshop space is limited so please register early with the Zen River office.

Marco studied the shakuhachi under Master Katsuya Yokoyama, quickly mastering the instrument and becoming a virtuoso solo artist. Marco Lienhard mastered Taiko drumming as a member of Ondekoza from 1981-1994. While touring as a professional taiko player in Japan, Lienhard also studied the fue and the nohkan (Noh theatre flute) with Yukimasa Isso. In 1995, Lienhard founded Taikoza in New York, where he now makes his home.

Madrid Zazenkai

04/06/2023

Roshis Tenkei and Myoho were invited to Madrid in early June to join the Spanish Zen River Sangha for a few days. During their trip, Tenkei gave a dharma talk at the Zen River Madrid zendo, and attended the Madrid book fair for the debut of the Spanish translation of ‘Timeless Calling, Timely Response’.

Zen River Introduction at

Ping Shu Yuan Acupuncture Centre

19/04/2023

In April, Tenkei Roshi was invited to give a workshop at Ping Shu Yuan Acupuncture Centre in Den Haag for patients interested in meditation. The centre is run by two long-time Zen River members, Ping and Taco, who hosted the event in a lovely space in their clinic, along with wonderful hospitality for everyone.

Fruit Tree Pruning Brigade

19/04/2023

In Groningen, there is a volunteer-based organisation dedicated to preserving the Groningen landscape. This week, for a nominal fee, a representative with a team of enthusiastic volunteers from Landschapsbeheer Groningen came to prune all the fruit trees in the garden.

Buddha’s Birthday, Hanna Matsuri

08/04/2023

On April 8th, Buddhists in Japan celebrate the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha with a flower festival. This weekend at Zen River, we chanted and offered incense and bathed the baby Buddha with sweet water. Congratulations to everyone!

Shukke Tokudo Ceremony

03/04/2023

On Monday, April 3, Tenkei Roshi gave ShukkeTokudo (monk ordination) to Niels Kangen van Henten. Kangen has been a resident of Zen River for over two years. He takes care of the garden and is an active assistant tenzo in the kitchen. Congratulations!

Jukai Ceremony

19/03/2023

On Sunday, March 18, Tenkei Roshi gave jukai Anushka Gen’e(i) 玄叡 (Mysterious Wisdom) Driessen-Harkhoe, Kerim Togen 透源 (Clear Source) Alp Altuncu, Guust Hoin 法印 (Dharma Seal) Persoon. Congratulations!

Grand Piano Restoration

18/03/2023

In deepest gratitude to our late members, Sam and Catelijn Russell, who donated a beautiful grand piano to Zen River a few months ago. The piano underwent seven days in a workshop for a full renovation and returned home this week. Everyone was happy to listen to Doin Sensei play a short recital of Chopin and other pieces upon its arrival.

Tourrettes-sur-Loup

08/03/2023

This week Tenkei and Myoho Roshi are very much enjoying a holiday in Tourrettes-sur-Loup, a medieval village in southern France. The first days they have been accompanied by Genno and Genko Roshi from Paris. This holiday was a gift in honour of the twentieth anniversary of Zen River.

Young Minds Weekend Seminar

20/02/2023

On the weekend of February 10-12, Zen River hosted an enthusiastic crowd of Young Minds for a Young Minds Seminar. They experienced an introduction to zazen and ritual, study classes, work periods in the garden and kitchen, cleaning, and taiko drumming. It was a great weekend for everyone. A week-long seminar will be held in July.

Window Glazers

31/01/2023

Thanks to the fundraiser, the new double-glazing for the kitchen is underway. Sebastian and René from De Boer construction company have been working on both the kitchen windows and replacing several of the bad ones in the oldest buildings (a long-term project, whereby Zen River has been replacing a few of the worst windows each year). Thank you all again for all your support to make this possible.

Under the Floorboards

28/01/2023

After a detailed survey from an insulation specialist, all the pipes, floors, and outer walls need to be insulated over the next year. Taikan, Zenetsu, and Herbert, as well as Shoryu and Kogen, have been diving under the floorboards into the narrow space under the Hatto and Kaisando to fill it with Rockwool and lag the pipes. Very dusty work.

Internment of Relics

05/01/2023

On a cold and windy day, on January 5th, some relics of the late Rev. Junyu Kuroda Roshi (Hojosan) were interred under the stupa in the Buddha grove at Zen River. He was laid to rest next to an urn holding relics of his older brother, Maezumi Roshi. Hojosan had been a great support to Zen River over the last twenty years. May his undying spirit live on.