茶道                   Tea Ceremony

OMOTESENKE WAY of TEA

Tea and Zen are of the same taste.

The way of Tea provides a bridge between an internal practice, like Zazen, and our external relationships with people and objects. Tea focuses the mind in the present moment, in “ichi go ichi e” a unique meeting once in a lifetime. Tea class provides a bridge between the material and spiritual world, between the abstract and the pragmatic, between people and wider nature. It is a venue to appreciate beautiful works of art and share warm social interactions.

書道CALLIGRAPHY

THE BRUSH & THE BREATH

The Kojin An Sangha holds practice and lessons in traditional Japanese brush calligraphy most Saturdays. Usually taught by the accomplished Yoko Muroga sensei who has been practicing daily for many years. Both kanji and hiragana are practiced in a quiet and relaxed setting. A basic literacy in Japanese may be helpful, though not necessary.

Occasionally workshops are also held in Sumi-e painting, and in Shakyo sutra copying.

坐禅           Zazenkai

FUNDAMENTAL PRACTICE

Shikantaza or “just sitting” emphasizes returning to proper posture, breath, and awareness moment by moment.

Our Zazenkai, or 'sitting group' meets every Sunday morning. We sit Zazen, with the option of one or two 40 minute periods of sitting, followed by a brief formal Sutra Recitation service, soji zendo cleaning, and ending with informal tea and conversation.

For several decades the Sunday morning Zazenkai has been the warm heart of the practice at Kojin An.