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Spring 2013 Practice Period at City Center, CC 5/4 - 6/15/13

Related Information
Central Abbot Myogen Steve Stücky
How to be Dharma Companions for and with Each Other

with Abbot Myogen Steve Stücky

May 4 - June 15, 2013  Eventbrite - Spring 2013 Practice Period at City Center (May/CC)

Shuso will be Gilbert Robinson

Text:  "Yuibutsu Yobutsu" (Only a Buddha and a Buddha) - Dogen's fascicle from Shobogenzo.

The skillful means chapter of the Lotus Sutra contains this message:

“Only a buddha together with a buddha can fathom the Reality of All Existence . . . .”

Zen Master Dogen comments on this saying: “All buddhas realize and practice the way together with the entire universe and all beings.” These words present us today with some wonderful questions:

Who or what is a buddha? Could ordinary folks like you and me take up the practice of being a buddha? Could this possibly be a message for each of us? Could this suggest that none of us alone can see the truth, that we might need to be in intimate communication with each other? How does your practice of the great Way meet another? How can dialog with another companion in the dharma nourish your life and support theirs? How can your everyday mind become friendly and free from selfishness in the hundred situations of the day? What did the Buddha mean by saying that friendship is everything--that the essence of his entire life and system of teaching is nothing other than friendship?

This late spring practice period, including the one-day sittings and the sesshin, is based upon a sincere willingness to be true to oneself and true with each other, and is accessible to people with a wide range of capabilities The intention of this practice period is to provide an opportunity to meet and support each other with kindness and mutual respect, in short, to practice listening and seeing each other as buddha. Practice leaders offer the guidance and support to deepen your involvement in the shared container of practice. Bring your intention to establish and sustain this commitment each morning and extend it throughout the changes of the day flowing from one situation to the next, situations sometimes defined by traditional Zen formalities and sometimes shaped by the particular responsibilities of your unique life.

Schedule:

The practice period will include two one day sittings, May 11 and June 1, and end with a three-day sesshin, June 13-15.

In addition to daily zazen and service, the weekly schedule will include two dharma talks, evening classes, a student way-seeking mind talk, and a tea and group discussion. Participants are encouraged to join the morning, afternoon, and evening daily zazen practice as much as possible.

You may take part in this practice period as a resident or as a non-resident. Please note that residential spaces are extremely limited. Non-resident participants may join the practice period at a level of commitment that is appropriate to their circumstances. All practice period participants are encouraged to discuss the details of their schedule with a City Center practice leader.

Through training in the formal setting of the City Center, we discover how to bring the request of practice to the many circumstances of our life.

Residential participation
:
  • Full: Including daily full-time work practice at City Center: $1,012 shared room; $1,232 private room, if available.
     
  • Limited: For people working or attending school (not working at Zen Center): Not working at City Center: $1,452 shared room; $1,672 private room, if available.

The residential fees cover study classes, one-day sittings, and sesshin. HOWEVER, practice period participants need to confirm their attendance in these practice period activities by signing up in the City Center Front Office.

Application Fee: A non-refundable fee of $30 is required to process residential applications. The application fee can be included as a check or money order with the submission of your application or can be paid using the Register Online button, above.

Non-residential Fees: $75 plus additional fees for sittings, sesshins, and events, as indicated.

Deadline for residential applications: April 15, 2013.

Application: Practice period applications can be obtained from the City Center front office or click on either Residential Application or Non-Residential Application. For the Residential Training Program Guidelines, click on [Word] or [PDF].

If you have any questions, please call the City Center director at 415.354.0383 or email.

Registration, Scholarships, and Cancellations (for classes, one-day sittings and sesshin)


Related Bio(s):

Central Abbot Myogen Steve Stücky
Myogen Steve Stücky has been practicing Zen since 1971 with various teachers including Richard Baker, Dainin Katagiri, Robert Aitken, and Tenshin Anderson. He received Dharma Transmission from Sojun Mel Weitsman in 1993. He became co-Abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center in February 2007 and in 2010 became Central Abbot as a part of restructuring the abbacy.