Upcoming (see also calendar)
- Aug. 28 – 31 Sesshin ‘Verkenningen’ – Jifu & Senko
- Sept. 6 Zazenkai at the Beach – Jifu & Senko
- Sept. Zazenkai in Nijmegen – Jifu
- Sept. 21 Zen Sunday in Wageningen – Senko
Summer schedule
From July 15 till August 31 there will be a summer schedule with meditation sessions, hosted by one of the sangha members, on: Sunday morning (8:30 – 9:30 am) in the Stadspark and at the Zen Boat on Tuesday evening (7:30 pm – 9 pm) and Thursday morning (7 – 8 am). Regular program resumes on September 1.
Introduction Course
Our introduction course starts at September 16 and totals 18 sessions, each Thursday late afternoon. It’s divided into three blocks of each 6 sessions. Subscription is possible for six sessions at the time. Each block has a different focus: 1). learning how to meditate, 2). getting to know Zen concepts & principles, 3). appreciation for daily life through the lens of meditation. Throughout all 18 sessions, our guided meditations and the more studious aspect of zen will be combined with zazen and ample opportunity for Q&A. Exercises will be given to work on at home.
The Zen Boat is affiliated to the International Buddhist Monastery Zen River Temple. The teachers living and working on the Zen Boat, Simon Senko de Boer and Helma Jifu Vulink, received dharma transmission in 2014 from Tenkei Roshi, abbot of Zen River. In addition to their work on the Zen Boat, Senko gives meditation classes in Zentrum Utrecht once a week, while Jifu has become the spiritual leader of Zen Centrum Rotterdam and is living and working there for two to four days a week.
The Zen Boat provides a year-round daily programme of meditation and study classes, combined with individual instruction (daisan) and Buddhist Services every morning. Every Thursday afternoon, an introductory hour is held for those new to zen practice. Once a month, on Saturdays, there is a day of zazen (zazenkai). Four times a year a sesshin is organized in cooperation with Zen Centre Rotterdam and Zentrum Utrecht. There is ample opportunity to stay overnight. Online contact is maintained with students who live further away. Once a month, both on the Zen Boat and via zoom, putting the dharma into words is practiced in conjunction with the study of Buddhist literature in Study & Speech classes, both in Dutch and in English language.
The Zen Boat maintains an informal style of practice, inspired by the Three Treasures – the insight of Buddha – the wisdom of Dharma – and the harmony of Sangha. Those Three Treasures are maintained and practised using the Four Training Elements as developed at Zen River Temple.
1) Zazen, a form of sitting meditation that makes it possible to experience our deepest being and to gain clarity about our function in life.
2) Zen Ritual, active forms of group meditation that help us develop a mutual connection with one another.
3) Study, the research of Buddhist scriptures and commentaries throughout the ages that support the practice of Zen in both meditation and daily life.
4) Bodhisattva Activity, practice in living a life of wisdom and compassion based on well-tested Buddhist guidelines.
For more detailed information on the Four Elements, please click here.
In Zen Boat activities, the aspect of the community (Sangha) is regularly emphasized both within the group of practitioners and towards other (local) Buddhist groups. The Zen Boat is open to anyone who wants to get acquainted with Zen practice. Each Thursday, full instruction is given to newcomers, including guided meditation, introducing basic principles of Zen Buddhism and Q&A. Twice a year we provide an introductory course in 18 sessions, divided into a three blocks of of six sessions on ‘how to meditate’, followed by sessions on ‘Zen concepts & principles.’ followed by ‘new ways to appreciate your daily life”. (dates: see weekly schedule).
Calendar
| Summer | See for summer schedule, top of this page |
| August 28-31 | Sesshin Verkenningen ‘Waarin vind ik betekenis?’ Holterberg (Dutch spoken) with Jifu & Senko via Zen Boat Groningen |
| Sept. 6 | Zazenkai Schiermonnikoog, 5 am – 9 pm with Jifu and Senko via Zen Boat Groningen |
| Sept. 13 | Zazenkai in Nijmegen at Oshida, 9 am – 9 pm with Jifu |
| Autumn | |
| Sept. 21 | Zazenkai in Wageningen at KenKon, 9 am – 5 pm with Senko |
| Sept. 11 – Oct. 16 | Start Introduction Course – first six introductory sessions, on Thursdays 5 – 6.30 pm, with Jifu (see for more info, top of this page). |
| October 23-26 | Sesshin Holterberg (Nat. Park Overijssel) with Senko via Zentrum Utrecht |
| Nov. 29 | Zazenkai at the Zen Boat, 7 am -5 pm with Senko |
| Winter | |
| January 14-18 | Sesshin Havelte (Overijssel) with Jifu via Zen Centrum Rotterdam |
| Jan. 31 | Zazenkai at the Zen Boat, 7 am – 5 pm with Senko |
| Monthly | |
| Zen Boat | Study & Speech – Dutch on the paramita’s. On Saturdays, September 13, October 4, November 15, 13 december, January 17, each time at 9.30 – 11 am |
| online | Study & Speech – Dutch on the paramita’s, On Saturdays, September 20, October 18, November 22, December 20, January 24, each time at 9.30 – 11 am |
| online / Z. Boat | Study & Speech – English on the Lotus Sutra on September 20, October 18, November 22, December 20, January 24,, each time at 4–5.30 pm |
| online / Z. Boat | Dharma words – English Still to be planned |
| Atonement Ceremony Fusatsu on Thursdays, September 4, October 9, November 6 & December 4., each time at 7.30-8.45 pm |
Program
For summer schedule, see top of this page
Regular week schedule physical presence on the Zen Boat – During morning zazen, you can walk in – quietly – any time between 6.30 – 7.30 am
Sunday
9–10 am zazen – also welcoming hour to those newly interested in zazen
Monday
6.30–8.20 am zazen + morning service / 7.30–9 pm practice upon appointment
Tuesday
6.30–8.20 am zazen + morning service / 7.30–9.15 pm zazen + dharma words
Wednesday
6.30–8.20 am zazen + daisan Senko + morning service
Thursday 6.30–8.20 am zazen + morning service / 5–6.30 pm zen introduction with Senko (until June 20) / 7.30–9 pm zazen + daisan Jifu
Week schedule, zoom
Tuesday
4–5.30 pm daisan Senko / 7.30–9.15 pm zazen + dharma words
Wednesday
4–5.30 pm daisan Jifu
Thursday
7.30–8.30 am zazen + morning service
Language: Classes and private interviews are held in English and, if needed, in Dutch.
Contributions
Contributions can be paid by bank transfer preferably (see below) or in cash upon arrival.
| Physical | Zoom | |
| Membership * | €40 per month / €400 per year | €15 p.m. / €150 p.y. |
| First meeting | donation appreciated | |
| Sunday morning zazen | donation appreciated | |
| Study & Speech (10 sessions) | €100 per year | €100 per year |
| Introduction course (18 sessions) | €150 total course / €60 per block (6 sessions) | |
| Zazenkai, one day at Zen Boat | €30 | |
| Zazenkai, Schiermonnikoog | €75 / incl. ferry, lunch & bicycle rental | |
| Weekend Sesshin | €50/excl. stay overnight | |
| Stay overnight | €20/night | |
| Sesshin on location | see relevant website |
Zen Boat Membership includes zazen, zen intro, study classes and personal interview (daisan), both on the Zen Boat and through zoom. Contributions and donations are tax-deductible.
IBAN: NL72 TRIO 0212 4970 30
account name ‘Zen River’
reference: ‘Zen Boat’
Contact
Tel. +31-50-7503343, email: zenboat@zenrivertemple.org
Zen Boat, Winschoterdiep 1027, 9724 GT Groningen