SEICHU
Spring 2023 March 19 to May 28
For ten weeks, participants are invited to make a personal commitment, 1) to practice, 2) to study, 3) to community. Guest teachers will join in person or on Zoom to guide our study of the text Subtle Sound, the Zen teachings of Maurine Stuart , who taught at the Cambridge Buddhist association and elsewhere throughout the country during the 1980s. Study sessions will take place Thursday nights, 7 to 8:30 pm (see below), cost by donation with $150 suggested for the ten week period. (Cost includes donation to guest teachers.)
Spring Seichu starts with a one day retreat (3/19) and ends with a three day retreat (5/26-28), cost $50 per retreat day suggested. Cost for both retreats and study period (package deal): $300 suggested. To register go here. To donate go here .
Commitment
The following offers suggestions and space to record your own Seichu commitment. For questions or consultation, contact Gendo (gendoaf@gmail.com). Participants are invited to join (in-person at UVZC or on Zoom) a Seichu opening ceremony Sunday, March 19, 7:30 pm, with opportunity to share your commitment with others.
1) Practice. For both new and experienced practitioners, there are ways to challenge yourself, make a commitment to a daily schedule of contemplation, either on your own or together with others, virtual or in person. UVZC offers a schedule of introductory sessions, daily practice and retreats that all are welcome to join (on Zoom and in-person.) Website at UVZC.org
2) Study. Participants are invited to join a weekly Study Group, Thursday nights, 7 to 8:30 pm. Sessions begin with a period of meditation, followed by study of Subtle Sound, The Zen Teachings of Maurine Stuart . Our invited teachers will offer their commentary, followed by group discussion.
3) Community. Participants serve community by commitment to learning the forms and taking leadership in our practice together; and/or by working together to make Zendo improvements; by joining Gendo in support of Dartmouth Zen Practice, Wheelock Terrace residents group and/or prison visits (Springfield, VT); or joining the project of your choice that gives back to the wider Upper Valley commuunity.
Spring Seichu starts with a one day retreat (3/19) and ends with a three day retreat (5/26-28), cost $50 per retreat day suggested. Cost for both retreats and study period (package deal): $300 suggested. To register go here. To donate go here .
Commitment
The following offers suggestions and space to record your own Seichu commitment. For questions or consultation, contact Gendo (gendoaf@gmail.com). Participants are invited to join (in-person at UVZC or on Zoom) a Seichu opening ceremony Sunday, March 19, 7:30 pm, with opportunity to share your commitment with others.
1) Practice. For both new and experienced practitioners, there are ways to challenge yourself, make a commitment to a daily schedule of contemplation, either on your own or together with others, virtual or in person. UVZC offers a schedule of introductory sessions, daily practice and retreats that all are welcome to join (on Zoom and in-person.) Website at UVZC.org
2) Study. Participants are invited to join a weekly Study Group, Thursday nights, 7 to 8:30 pm. Sessions begin with a period of meditation, followed by study of Subtle Sound, The Zen Teachings of Maurine Stuart . Our invited teachers will offer their commentary, followed by group discussion.
3) Community. Participants serve community by commitment to learning the forms and taking leadership in our practice together; and/or by working together to make Zendo improvements; by joining Gendo in support of Dartmouth Zen Practice, Wheelock Terrace residents group and/or prison visits (Springfield, VT); or joining the project of your choice that gives back to the wider Upper Valley commuunity.
Study Thursdays, 7-8:30 pm
The text, Subtle Sound, is divided into ten sections, roughly three chapters per week, starting Thursday 3/23 to 5/25. Copies of the book are available for purchase or loan (contact us). Meanwhile, only the first three chapters will be posted here, Advance reading of the text is recommended, though you are welcome to attend sessions regardless.
Teachers

Shinge-shitsu Roko Sherry Chayat
... abbot of the Zen Studies Society at Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji monastery, Livingston Manor, NY, and at New York Zendo Shoboji Manhattan; also the abbot of the Zen Center of Syracuse Hoen-ji, she was the first American woman to receive transmission in the Rinzai school of Buddhism. On October 12, 2008, she received the title of roshi and the name Shinge (“Heart/Mind Flowering") from Eido
Shimano Roshi, the first time that this ceremony was held in the USA.
... abbot of the Zen Studies Society at Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji monastery, Livingston Manor, NY, and at New York Zendo Shoboji Manhattan; also the abbot of the Zen Center of Syracuse Hoen-ji, she was the first American woman to receive transmission in the Rinzai school of Buddhism. On October 12, 2008, she received the title of roshi and the name Shinge (“Heart/Mind Flowering") from Eido
Shimano Roshi, the first time that this ceremony was held in the USA.

Koshin Cain, osho
In 1999 Joshu Roshi made Koshin an Osho (teacher). From 1999 to 2002 he served as Vice-abbot of Mt. Baldy Zen Center. In 2003 he moved to Vashon Island and became the founding teacher of the Puget Sound Zen Center. Since 2009, Koshin has also served as the formal teacher of the Rinzai Zen Center in Oslo, Norway.
In 1999 Joshu Roshi made Koshin an Osho (teacher). From 1999 to 2002 he served as Vice-abbot of Mt. Baldy Zen Center. In 2003 he moved to Vashon Island and became the founding teacher of the Puget Sound Zen Center. Since 2009, Koshin has also served as the formal teacher of the Rinzai Zen Center in Oslo, Norway.
Zengetsu Myokyo, osho
Ordained by Joshu Sasaki Roshi in 1986, she trained at Mt. Baldy and other Rinzai-ji Zen Centers in California and New Mexico, receiving Zen Osho (Priest) ordination and the name Zengetsu in 1999. Myokyo studied with Jōshū Roshi until his death in 2014, is abbess of Enpuku-ji Zen Centre in Montreal, and has served as Associate Buddhist Chaplain at Concordia and McGill Universities. |

Kenzan Seidenberg
…was ordained by Rev. Taihaku Priest in 2008, was shuso (head monk) at Shao Shan Temple in East Calais, VT, in 2013 and received dharma transmission (authorization to teach in the Soto Zen lineage) in January 2016. His training included monastic practice in both the United States and Japan.
…was ordained by Rev. Taihaku Priest in 2008, was shuso (head monk) at Shao Shan Temple in East Calais, VT, in 2013 and received dharma transmission (authorization to teach in the Soto Zen lineage) in January 2016. His training included monastic practice in both the United States and Japan.

Gendo Allyn Field, osho
….lay monk and teacher in the Rinzai Zen tradition, he received ordination from Joshu Sasaki in 2003 and suijishiki (teacher ordination) from Sandy Gentei Stewart in 2013. He leads practice at Upper Valley Zen Center, leads student practice at Dartmouth College, and is a "per diem chaplain” at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
….lay monk and teacher in the Rinzai Zen tradition, he received ordination from Joshu Sasaki in 2003 and suijishiki (teacher ordination) from Sandy Gentei Stewart in 2013. He leads practice at Upper Valley Zen Center, leads student practice at Dartmouth College, and is a "per diem chaplain” at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.