Intro to Zen class

Introduction to silent sitting meditation. Open to all.
Sundays, 10:00 – 11:15am MT

In-person only

Intro to Zen is designed for “beginners mindset”, whether you have little or a lot of meditation experience. The class has four installments each month. Participants are encouraged to participate in all four, but there isn’t a particular order or sequence required – you can jump in any time and attend one or all. Each class begins with introductions and ends with detailed instruction on how to properly sit in meditation (zazen) and includes time for Q&A.

Section 1 will cover the Buddha’s origin story, and an overview of the history of Buddhism, Zen, Sanbo Zen, and Mountain Cloud.

Section 2 will cover The Four Aspirations, the Three Jewels (or Treasures), the Three Fruits of Zen, the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eight Fold Path, the Five Remembrances, the Four Immeasurables, and The Four Vows of the Bodhisattva.

Section 3 will be directed at how to practice at Mountain Cloud, describing the use of Koans and working with a teacher, zendo etiquette, walking meditation (called kinhin), and chanting. There will be a general orientation to what a dharma talk (called teisho) entails, plus a description of the different types of practice, from daily zazen to Zazenkai (a full day of practice) to weekend and 6-day retreats (called Sesshin).

These first three classes are typically led by Sanbo Zen Teacher Scott Thornton.

Section 4 will be a more open ended meeting led by Assistant Teacher and founding member of Mountain Cloud, Will Brennan.

All are welcome to join Community Tea right before this event in the Mountain Cloud dining room from 9:30-10:00am. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow sangha members and get to know the Mountain Cloud community.

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