Shusohossenshiki Ceremony

February 24, 2024

24/02/2024

On Saturday, February 24th, Marloes Myokan Harkema finished her term as Shuso for the Winter Ango with Shusohossenshiki. The ceremony was well attended by many members, family and friends. Zen River was happy to welcome Rev. Soho Kakita, the new European Sokan, as Jokeshi – the official witness from the Soto School. Congratulations!

Lecture by Rev. Soho Kakita, the new European Sokan.

24/02/2024

Rev. Soho Kakita gave an interesting lecture on the Shuryo-shingi written by Dogen Zenji with his translation. It is a list of instructions on how to behave in the Shuryo (“lecture hall”) in Japanese training temples.

Jukai Ceremony

10/02/2024

Congratulations to Cor Mukan 無 関 (No Barrier) Buisman and Guido Chonen 超 然 (going beyond all distinctions) Klerk upon receiving Jukai from Tenkei Roshi. The ceremony took place at the beginning of the February Gyoji week.

Young Minds Weekend Seminar

05/02/2024

This year’s Young Minds Seminar included guided zazen with Tenkei Roshi using the four modes of meditation, a Right Speech class with Shuso Myokan, exercises to help with zazen posture with Doin Sensei and a question and answer session with Taikan. This time we held an enthusiastic singing workshop led by Pieter Fumon Bosma! Mornings began early at 5:00 am with zazen, formal oryoki meals in the zendo, and work practice in the garden, kitchen, and indoor cleaning.

Shiho Ceremony for Shosan Zen’etsu Klopman

23/01/2024

Zen River is happy to announce that on January 20, 2024, Tenkei Roshi gave Shiho/Denbo (Dharma Transmission) to Gert Shosan Zen’etsu Klopman at Zen River temple. It was a wonderful day. Michel Genko Dubois Roshi came from Paris to attend the Denkai evening ceremony as Kyojushi, and Gakudo Roshi travelled from Keiryuji, Spain to join the celebrations. Congratulations!

Also, Ranka Sensei led a sewing crew of members at the Zen Boat to secretly stitch the mokoran-coloured Okesa for the transmission, and Taikan carved a beautiful kotsu (teaching stick) from the cherry wood trees that used to line the driveway.

Wintery Winter Ango & Gyōji Week

16/01/2024

A Wintery Winter Ango! The second Gyōji week of the Winter Ango suddenly felt a frosty bite in the air after days of rain. This week, eighteen Zen River members and residents are practising together. They come from The Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Slovakia, Italy, the USA, and Germany. Quite an international group!

Gyōji week is where we welcome both familiar members and newcomers. And if you are a member of Zen River, you can register anytime there is practice ongoing outside of sesshins.

Inka Ceremony

18/12/2023
Congratulations to both Tenkei Roshi and Gakudo den Hollander Roshi. Gakudo received Inka from Tenkei Roshi during the Zen River successors meeting at Zen River. Inka is the final approval after Shiho / transmission from the master to the student.

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. At the conclusion of 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

Zen River was happy to welcome Rev. Tenmyo from Toshiji. She joined Zen River for one month of training before visiting two more Soto temples in Europe.

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
At the end of the Summer Month long Ango 2023, and the Shusohossenshiki ceremony for Senko Hop. Congratulations!

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.

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 to join the Spanish Zen River Sangha for a few days in early June. 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’.

Visit Danjo Roshi

05/05/2023

On May 5, we were happy to welcome Rinzai Zen master Soken Danjo, abbot of Saikoji, a fifteenth-century mountain temple in Hiroshima. He was joined by his friends Teizo Suzuki, Ingrid Shugetsu, and Molly Ackerman, who arranged his travel schedule. Harumi Sakiyama was at Zen River for the weekend and could translate his talk directly.

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.

New Years’ Eve Party

31/12/2022

At the end of the New Years’ Sesshin, there was a series of performances from the participants. A very enjoyable evening was had by everyone!

Tutti Cantano

24/12/2022

Tutti Cantano, the local choir that Myoho and Doin are members of, led by Pieter Bosma the conductor – also a long-time Zen River member – completed the autumn season with an end-of-year gathering and concert at Zen River. It was a grand evening for all. Welcome!

Gas to Electric

22/12/2022

Jansen, the installation company, came to remove the gas boiler from the kitchen and connect it to the existing electric one (which is copper and in good condition), including a water boiler to replace the kettles. All to save energy in the long term!

Dharma Talk by European Sokan

25/11/2022

The European sokan for the Soto school, Shoten Minegishi Roshi, travelled from Paris to Zen River for the conclusion of Rohatsu sesshin. On the evening before the Shusohossenshiki ceremony, he gave an engaging Dharma talk for the sesshin participants. (Online members can access the talk on the membership channel.)

Shusohossenshiki Ceremony

26/11/2022

At the start of the Winter Ango, Zen River held a shusohossenshiki ceremony for Esho des Etoiles. The Jokeshi (witness) in attendance was the European sokan, Minegishi Roshi. Congratulations!

Wedding Day

13/11/2022

A very happy day for Marleen Monshin Laroy & Matthijs Jundo Noordzij who were married by Tenkei Roshi in a Buddhist ceremony at Zen River. Congratulations!

Fundraiser & Newsletter Winter 2022

13/11/2022

Insulation Matters!

24/10/2022
A recent survey of energy use at Zen River recommended all the ground floors and hot water pipes are insulated. Here are two of the brave maintenance crew – Shoyru and Kōgen – diving under the floorboards in the kaisando, along with Taikan and Zen’etsu who are out of view.

20-Year Anniversary of Zen River in Uithuizen

25/09/2022

On September 25th, Zen River celebrate the move to Uithuizen 20 years ago. It was a joyful reunion of old and new Dharma family and friends. Drizzling rain, sunshine and Champagne! (0%!)

Chanting the Makka Hannya Haramita Shingyo
Chanting the Daihishin Dharani

Jukai Ceremony

18/08/2022

During the last week of the summer month-long sesshin, Nanna Shinko Rodrigues de Miranda received Jukai from Tenkei Roshi. Congratulations!

Master Plasterer Martin van de Kruk

12/08/2022

Assisted by Taikan Gregoire, Zen River’s master plasterer, Martin van de Kruk, came by to replaster the wall in the Kodo and the Inryo. Thank you for a job well done!

Shusohossenshiki for Shoryu de Rooden

04/08/2022

On August 4th, Peter Shoryu de Rooden completed his second Hossenshiki. The first time was during Covid, so the Jokeshi (witness) could not attend. This year, the European sokan, Minegishi Roshi, was present to witness and formalize the ceremony. Congratulations!

Taiko Drum Workshop and Performance
August 13th

with Marco Lienhard

16/08/2022

Zen River was happy to welcome the taiko group #taikoza, led by Marco Lienhard, Micah Wilhelm and Mark. What a great performance and fantastic mini-workshops!

Taikoza performance at Zen River
Evening Workshop on homemade drums

Open House to Welcome the Neighbours

22/07/2022

Zen River welcomed neighbours for a Sunday afternoon visit. Neighbours could meet new neighbours, and visit the Temple for the first time. It was a lovely afternoon, and the weather was perfect.

Shukke Tokudo Ceremony for Myokan Harkema

14/07/2022

Visit Genpo Roshi

09/07/2022

During his last European Tour, Genpo Roshi came to visit Zen River with his wife Charlotte Jigen. While he was here, he officiated an intimate ceremony to inter a relic of Maezumi Roshi under the stupa in the Buddha Grove.

Young Minds Seminar

07/07/2022

Besides Zazen, services, oryoki meals, and garden work, there were lots of creative projects and workshops!

Taiko Drum Workshop with Izzy Esho des Etoiles

Zen River Cookbook Volume 2

Available at Amazon stores worldwide

Jukai Ceremony

26/06/2022
We were happy to welcome Chad Chizo (Wisdom Container) Josewski and his wife from Salt Lake City, Utah. He received Jukai from Tenkei Roshi during his stay. Chizo met Tenkei Roshi in Salt Lake City during the 1990s at the Kanzeon Zen Center and made a strong connection with him during the outdoor retreats held in the Utah desert. Congratulations!

Zen River Spring Newsletter 2022

Newsletter-Spring-2022

Short-term Resident, Hori Aoi

07/06/2022
In March, Zen River was happy to receive Hori Aoi as a short-term resident for three months. After he returns to Japan, he plans to enter Chigenji to begin his monk’s training. Besides learning service positions, he performed his beat-box skills and practised making bread and pancakes during his time here. Good Luck Hori-san!

Teisho with Yamamoto Roshi

28/05/2022
Yamamoto Ryuko Roshi, who visited Zen River frequently a few years ago with Hojosan, now offers a series of Dharma talks on the Mumonkan via Zoom for anyone wishing to join. Zen River members participated in the most recent live stream.

West-Wall Grout

03/05/2022

After many years of wind and rain, the grouting on this west wall was falling apart and needed to be replaced. The result was wonderful.

New Front Sign

12/05/2022
Thanks to Zenétsu, the old signboard that Tenkei Roshi painted a long time ago has been replaced with a new sturdy, weather-proof placard. Here are Hori-san and Tenkei Roshi after the installation.

Jukai Ceremony

27 April 2022

28/04/2022
During the Sakura Sesshin, Thomas Hosei (Dharma Star) Veenstra received jukai from Tenkei Roshi. Congratulations!

Young Minds Seminar

22 April 2022

25/04/2022
The Young Minds Seminar was well attended and everyone had a delightful time! We hope to welcome more Young Minds in July for the next seminar.

Gyoji Weeks

May 2022

01/05/2022

Martha Ekyo Maezumi

10 April 2022

12/04/2022
We are very sad to announce that Ekyo Maezumi (pictured centre left of Hojosan), the dear widow of our founding master Maezumi Roshi, has suddenly passed away. She lived in Grass Valley, CA, where her three children Kirsten, Yoshi, and Yuri now congregate. Tenkei and Tammy have known her for a long time and kept in regular contact. They also met in Japan, and we have very happy memories of her when she and her family with partners and friends visited Zen River in 2015. They all came to attend a memorial service for Maezumi Roshi during a White Plum meeting at our temple. We will keep you informed about further ceremonial activities. Meanwhile, we pray to all Buddhas and bodhisattvas to guide Ekyo on her journey, and wish her a swift passage to the other shore.

Zoom Series of Lectures.
Saikawa Roshi, April 10, 11:30 CET

02/04/2022
This event is part of a series of Zoom lectures by Zen teachers from abroad in which everyone is invited to participate.
The next Zoom lecture is with Saikawa Roshi and takes place on Sunday, April 10, at 11:30 AM.
Tenkei Roshi first met Saikawa Roshi during his stay at ZCLA in the early eighties. Later, he met him regularly in Japan, as Saikawa Roshi often visited Kirigayaji to meet with Hojo-san and give lectures there. Saikawa Roshi lived for a long time in Sao Paulo as the head (Sokan) of the South American department of the Soto School. As the Sokan, he came to Zen River Temple a few years ago to be Jokeshi (official witness) at the Hossenshiki ceremony of Wayne Taikan Gregoire. He now lives in Japan again and has been appointed abbot of a monastic training temple in Shizuoka prefecture. Saikawa Roshi knew both Maezumi Roshi and Hojo-san for a long time, and Tenkei Roshi has asked him to particularly address his relationship with those two masters.
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Solar Panel Installation Phase 2

29/03/2022
The solar panels are almost all on the roof. The next step will be to connect them to the electricity and then away we go!

Solar Panel Installation

28/03/2022
Following last year’s fundraiser, the solar panels will be installed this week by Technisch Expert Jansen. As the skylights have been switched to the north-facing roof, there is suddenly room for a few more panels, which will be advantageous in the long run! A big thank you to everyone who helped to make this possible.

Zoom Conferences with Brazil

19/02/2022
Tenkei Roshi was invited to speak with the sangha in Brazil, led by Coen Roshi in San Paolo. Coen Rosh also gave a Zoom talk on February 21. Tenkei Roshi first met her during his stay at ZCLA in the early eighties and later in Japan, and he invited her to tell us some of her experience with Hojo-sama and Maezumi Roshi.
 
Born in Sao Paolo, Coen Roshi practised with Maezumi Roshi in the US but also trained for many years in Japan; with Aoyama Roshi in Aichi Senmon Nisodo, and with Hojo-sama in Kirgayaji and Fujidera. After completing her studies, she returned to Sao Paolo, and in 2001 founded the Zen Buddhist Community of Brazil. Fluent in Japanese, Coen Roshi aims to bridge traditional and modern approaches to Zen. She wrote many books and has become a public spokesperson for Buddhism in her country.

Skylights at Night

14/02//2022

Skylights

14/02//2022

Skylight Matters

07/02//2022
In preparation for the new solar panels, Tetsuko and Taikan were closing skylights on the south roof and preparing new skylights for the north-facing roof. The new solar panels will arrive in mid-March.

Night Owl

09/01//2022

Marloes spotted this lovely owl behind the kitchen windows one early morning.

New Years Zoom Sesshin Online
with International Guest Teachers

December 27-January 7, 2022

Part 1 December 27-January 1
Part 2 January 2-7

21/12/09/2021

Everyone is welcome to join us online for our New Year’s sesshin, December 27–Jan.1 and January 2–7. Both parts of the sesshin will start at 3:30 pm with an introduction and end on the last day with concluding remarks in the early morning.
The sesshin schedule will be as usual, except that morning zazen is 6:00 – 7:30 am (two 40 minute periods). Also, we are very happy to mention again that, in addition to the dharma talk at 11:30 am, in most evenings there will be an interactive video conference conducted by seven guest teachers:
Tuesday, Dec. 28 —— Jorge Ryusho Lopez Doriga Sensei from Peru
Wednesday, Dec. 29 —Han de Wit Acharya from The Netherlands
Thursday, Dec. 30 —- Charles Tenshin Fletcher, Roshi from the US
Monday, Jan. 3 ——- Diane Musho Hamilton Roshi from the US
Tuesday, Jan. 4 ——- Michael Mugaku Zimmerman Roshi from the US
Wednesday, Jan. 5 — Nicolee Jikyo MacMahon Roshi from the US
Thursday, Jan. 6 —— Peter Gakudo den Hollander Sensei from Spain
These video conferences will be held in the evening from 8:00-9:15 pm
Dokusan and Daisan will be offered mostly in the afternoon, 4:10-5:40 pm. Please remember that all times indicated in this email refer to local time (CET). So for those who attend from abroad, check the time difference in advance…!
If you are an ‘O-member’ already, participation is free of charge. If you are not a member of the online program, please make a transfer of €50, which will also include the membership of this month and the month of January (see bank details below).
We understand that as a zoom participant you may not make all the sessions, so please just zoom in as much as you are able to.

IBAN: NL72 TRIO 0212 4970 30
t.n.v.: ‘Zen River’
o.v.v.: ‘NY Sesshin’
contribution: €50

Teisho by Rev. Minegishi, Sokan of Europe

19/11/09/2021
Rev. Minegishi, the European Sokan., who was the Jokeshi for the Hossenshiki ceremony, gave a Dharma talk at the start of Rohatsu Sesshin.

Shuso Hossenshiki Ceremony

for Pascal Tetsuko van der Knokke

November 16, 2021

On Sunday, November 16, at the start of the Rohatsu Sesshin and Winter Ango, Pascal Tetsuko van der Knokke completed the Shuso Hossenshiki ceremony at Zen River. The ceremony was led by Tenkei Roshi, and witnessed by the European sokan, Rev. Minegishi Roshi. He was accompanied by Rev. Keishu Kataoka who works at the European Soto school department in Paris.

Memorial Poem

Rev. Junyu Kuroda

January 5, 1940 – November 9, 2021

Baigaku Junyu Daiosho
Wishing you a safe passage
To the other shore
May your indomitable spirit
Give you wings
To fly and freely visit
The six realms of existence
Giving your kind assistance
To whoever is in need.
We always thought
That you were an exception
To the law of impermanence
That you were indestructible
Now I see that it is really true
Since you mysteriously passed
Some of that hard-core quality
On to us and to so many others
We thank you for everything
Your undying commitment
To true ancestral wisdom
And your joyous passion
for authentic compassion
We vow to do everything we can
To keep your dharma drive alive
For us, you will always be Hojo-san
And remain in our hearts forever.

Nine bows,
Kodo Tenkei Coppens
Zen River Temple

Annual Fundraiser and Newsletter 2021

19/11/09/2021

The annual fundraiser and newsletter are now available to download. Please click here to open the newsletter.
Click here to read the Annual Fundraiser 2021

Maintaining Zen River

19/11/09/2021

Rev. Junyu Kuroda

05-01-1940 / 09-11-2021

09/11/09/2021

We are sad to announce that Junyu Kuroda Roshi, or Hojo-san, passed away on Tuesday, November 9th, 2021. He had been unwell for quite some time and died peacefully at home in Kirigayaji, surrounded by family, at 6:32 pm Japan time. The last few days, he had lost consciousness and couldn’t speak anymore but seemed composed. The very last word Tenkei Roshi heard him say over the phone was oyasuminasai, good night.
 
Hojo-san was always a fierce supporter of Maezumi Roshi’s mission to establish Zen Buddhist practice in the West. He had an indomitable spirit, and his generosity and kindness were exemplary. Already in the early days of ZCLA, Hojo-san would often come over from Japan to assist his brother. Roshis Tenkei and Tammy first met him around the time Maezumi Roshi passed away in1995, and in 2000 they went to Japan to live and practise with him for a half year at his temple, Kirigayaji, in Tokyo. After they returned to the Netherlands, he began helping them by supporting and establishing Zen River Temple. His contribution has been immeasurable. Hojo-san’s full dharma name is Baigaku Junyu Daiosho.
 
We offer our special condolences to Hojo-san’s daughter Keiko, and to his daughter, Hitomi and her husband and their three children – Hojo-san was a grand-dad! To Yodo-san, his long-time assistant who will take over the temple, and to Ingrid Shugetsu Appels, his close companion since they met at Zen River in 2002.
There will be a memorial service for Hojosan on Sunday evening, November 14, 19:30 CET that will be streamed over zoom. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Taiko Drum and Shakuhachi Performance

18/10/09/2021

Taiko Performance in the Hatto, with Marco Leinhard, Mark and Esho.

Taiko Drum Workshop
October 16, 2021

06/10/09/2021

Zen River is happy to welcome Marco Lienhard, a taiko teacher and accomplished shakuhachi player. He will be coming to Zen River on October 16 to lead a workshop, and give a concert. If you are interested in joining, please contact Zen River!
As you may know, Zen River has been adding more drums and instruments to the services, creating an energetic and lively experience for everyone participating. To read more about Marco, please visit his website. https://taikoza.com/

Saturday October 16
16:30 hrs Taiko drum and Shakuhachi concert
19:30-22:15 Taiko Workshop

Sunday October 17
06:00 shakuhachi during Zazen

Making taiko drums. Zen’etsu found some discarded plastic pipes on Markplats, Taikan cut them to size and sanded them down, and Izzy and Harald made skins out of packing tape and duct tape.

October Falling Leaves Sesshin
October 16-21, 2021

12/10/2021

Early morning sunlight. Preparing for the October Falling Leaves Sesshin.

Painting the New Windows

12/10/2021

Steffen Buikema, who has painted many windows at Zen River over the years, is back to paint the new windows installed a few weeks ago.
They are starting to look great!

Makka Hannya Haramita Shingyo

15/09/2021

An ambient version of the Makka Hannya, by Myoho Roshi.

Shusohossenshiki Ceremony

21/08/2021

Congratulations to Liliann Shurei Manning who completed the Summer Ango Training with a festive Shusohossenshiki Ceremony.

Realization of the 2020 Fundraiser for the old windows

07/09/2021

Before and After. The first window to be replaced was the small window in the library. Many of the old windows have probably been there for over 85 years. There are quite a few more to go! Due to the pandemic, it took a while to schedule the work. Luckily the De Boer construction company are here now to undertake the repairs. Thanks again to all who donated generously towards this well-needed project.

Summer Month Long Sesshin

18/08/2021

Evening Service, Daihishin Dharani
We are happy to welcome Izzy Esho des Etoiles, from S.L.C. who could bring her expertise in Taiko drumming into the services.

Young Minds Seminar

18/07/2021

The art project during the Young Minds Seminar was a great success.

Small Drain Drama Part 2

29/06/2021

Attaching the new drain pipes that Taikan had installed to the sewage system.
A new surprise was finding another septic tank under the glass hallway

Jukai Ceremony

22/06/2021

On June 21 Niels Kangen (觀玄 Rejoicing Mystery) van Henten received Jukai from Tenkei Roshi. Congratulations!

Small Drain Drama

19/05/2021

The gutters were seriously backing up in the heavy rain, and no one could understand where the blockage was.
After some attempts, construction company De Boer was called in to help. It turns out that a drain was a drain to nowhere…probably cut off when the new wing was built. All the water had backed up into the sandy foundations under the glass hallway. A few thousand litres of water were pumped out. De Boer will make a plan as to how to reconnect both the rain gutter and drain from the upstairs rooms in the old wing.

Ango Opening Ceremony for Shurei

22/05/2021

We are happy to announce that Liliann Shurei Manning is the Shuso (head monk) for this summer’s Ango. She will do the full three months of intensive training (May 22-August 21) and learn the various skills that are expected of a senior practitioner. The Ango includes our traditional Summer Month-long sesshin (July 24-August 21). The Hossenshiki (dharma combat ceremony) is scheduled for Saturday, August 21 at 11 am. We hope that by then it will be possible to welcome more people once again so that we can really celebrate this festive event together.

Born in Bolivia, Shurei obtained her PhD in psychology in Madrid, Spain, and did her post-doctoral specialization in neuropsychology in Oxford, UK. She has worked on research in different countries and served as a full-time professor at Strasbourg University in France. Her husband and three daughters are French. At present, she works in Lille as a consultant neuropsychologist.

Shurei started with transcendental meditation in 2000 and practised in other spiritual traditions until she came across Soto Zen ten years ago. She received Jukai at Ryumon-Ji (Weiterswiller, France) and Shukke Tokudo at the Lanau Zen Centre (Lanau, France) in 2017. Two years later she came over to Zen River and joined our programme with great enthusiasm. Shurei soon became a student of Tenkei Roshi and resides at our temple as much as she can, including for extended periods of time. She moved from Strasbourg to Lille to be closer to Zen River. We are all happy to see her here and wish her the very best!

Small Drain Drama

19/05/2021

The gutters were seriously backing up in the heavy rain, and no one could understand where the blockage was.
After some attempts, construction company De Boer was called in to help. It turns out that a drain was a drain to nowhere…probably cut off when the new wing was built. All the water had backed up into the sandy foundations under the glass hallway. A few thousands of litres of water were pumped out. De Boer will make a plan as to how to reconnect both the rain gutter and drain from the upstairs rooms in the old wing.

Buddhas Birthday Ceremony for
Buddhist Chaplains.

12/05/2021

Two Buddhist Chaplains who serve in the Army attended Buddhas Birthday Ceremony at Zen River. They also filmed the service to share with the Buddhist soldiers who observe Vesak. We heard they are the first Buddhist chaplains in Europe. Alie Jimon Rozendal, who is also a Zen River member, came with her colleague Paul Van Gogh who recorded the event.

New Crab Apple Trees

12/05/2021

There are five new Malus Profusion crab-apple trees growing on the Eastside.
They are finally opening their little petals to the warm sun.
The trees were purchased through the generous support of a Facebook Birthday Fundraiser.

Path & Drain Works

12/05/2021

The path to the zendo was difficult to navigate in the rain.
The new path is now stable in all weather conditions!
Discovering a mysterious blocked drain.

Teisho by Hojosan on Zoom

April 25, 12:00 CEST

15/04/2021

We are happy to announce that Rev. Junyu Kuroda will give a teisho during the first day of the Sakura Sesshin. He will join Zen River via Zoom from his temple in Tokyo. Rev. Hojun Szpunar will translate. (Photo from summer 2019.)

Buddhas Birthday

April 8, 2021

08/04/2021

Tenkei Roshi bathing the baby Buddha in the morning service on the occasion of Buddhas birthday.

Little Rock Garden

06/04/2021

With a little rock garden

Fundraiser Trees

05/04/2021
The tree stumps have been removed, and thanks to the Facebook fundraisers, the new trees and yew hedge have been planted.

Garden Works

22/03/2021

Spring is in the air, and there are lots of things to do in the garden. Taikan, Niels and Zenétsu worked for a few days to remove the old tree stumps. Now the new blossom trees, hedge, and shrubs can be planted.

Shusohossenshiki Ceremony

February 19, 2021

22/02/2021

The Shusohossenshiki ceremony for Jyokun was a great success, with over 50 members logging into the ceremony via Zoom. Doin and Zenetsu configured the cameras and technical aspects. while Marloes managed the zoom. Everyone was present on the TV screen! Householders stayed on one side of the hatto, whilst our extended bubble from the Zen River team sat on the other. Congratulations!

Maha Sangha Zoom Gathering

February 23, 2021

22/02/2021

On Tuesday, February 23 at 20:00 CET we will host our second Maha Sangha Zoom gathering for all Zen River members and friends. The first gathering held this way was on January 6, 2021. It was wonderful to connect with everyone from many parts of the world.

Winter Training

21/01/2021

These are challenging times, and it seems more important than ever to be able to connect and to communicate, and we can praise ourselves lucky to have the treasure of the Dharma to continue to do so. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Zen River still has to observe the strict regulations the Dutch government issued – for sure until February 9. That means that the long-term residential community keeps following the schedule while staying closely connected with you over the internet.

The number of members who signed up for an online membership (see the online practice page of the website) is steadily growing, and more and more people attend zazen, services, study, and right speech classes, and engage in dokusan with Tenkei Roshi from their homes. The membership now includes Zoom zazen on Tuesday evenings. It also allows for participation in the O-sesshins, including the upcoming January 30/31 weekend sesshin which will be held on Zoom.

Lastly, on Tuesday, January 26, at 8:15 pm we plan to have a Zoom sangha gathering, and everybody is welcome to join. It is meant to see old friends, make new ones, and keep us all connected.

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