火の鳥庵

HINOTORI AN

Firebird Hermitage

火の鳥庵

HINOTORI AN

Firebird Hermitage

A PATH OF DISCOVERING YOUR ORIGINAL SELF

Hinotori-An is a small and simple zen hermitage in the midst of bustling city life. It was founded in 2017 with the aim of supporting those who embark on a personal journey of self-discovery, with the desire to find the original Self.

Hermitage practice is dedicated to self-cultivation, silence and Zen training. Zazen practice is intense, raw, and places weight on one's own experience. The Practice for Urban Practitioners takes the same approach, but with carefully dosed intensity.

The founder and resident teacher is the Buddhist nun Doka sensei, who was ordained in the Soto Zen and Shaolin Chan lineages.

07.09.2025

RYAKU FUSATSU

A monthly full-moon ceremony in Zen Buddhism where practitioners renew their commitment to the bodhisattva vows and express atonement for past actions through chanting and prostrations. Practice is open only to Hinotori An students; follow the link to read more or register

21.09.2025

ZAZENKAI (regular)

All-day intense zen practice, which includes zazen, kinhin, formal meal, samu (silent work practice), rest, and formal tea; follow the link to read more or register; for the beginners and experienced practitioners

21.09.2025

NEW MOON RITUAL

The Zen practice of the new moon involves mindful silence and contemplation, focusing on clearing the old to make room for new beginnings. The goal is to synchronize your practice with the lunar cycle, fostering mental clarity and a deeper understanding of interconnectedness. The focus remains on Zen principles; follow the link to read more or register; only for Hinotori An students.

aki-no higan (autumn equinox) 2025-09.png

23.09.2025

AKI-NO HIGAN (Autumnal Equinox)

The changing of the seasons is celebrated through an intensive zen practice; follow the link to learn more or register

28.09.2025

RYOSOKI (Dogen Zenji, Keizan Zenji)

According to the lunar calendar, Dogen Zenji died on August 28, 1253, at the age of 53, and Keizan Zenji died on August 15, 1325, at the age of 58. According to the Gregorian calendar, both of these dates fall on September 29. On this day, a ceremony called Ryōsoki is held in Soto-shu temples to honor these two important ancestors. At Hinotori An, this day is marked by intensive zazen practice. Follow the link to read more or register.

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INFORMATION

禅堂

ZENDŌ

Hinotori An is located in a residential building only 10 minutes from the Zurich train station. Zazen is performed in a five-tatami-mats Zendo, thus providing space for up to five practitioners.

Sensei lives in seclusion and opens the door for practice only during scheduled appointments.

Registration is mandatory.

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禅門

PRACTICE GATES

Zazen is more than meditation. It is a state in which sitting is just sitting (Shikantaza), the true self is awakened, and the individual is transcended.

Zen practice in Hinotori An is carried out through symbolic Gates that have the same destination, but open to paths of different intensity:

OMOTEMON 表門 - Front Gate: entering Hinotori An
SANMON 三門 – Main Gate: entering Zen training
CHŪMON 中門 – Middle Gate: entering urban Zen practice
KARAMETEMON 搦手門 – Back Gate: entering engaged path
DAOMEN 道門 – Daoist Gate: entering Daoist cultivation

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年中行事

ANNUAL EVENTS

Hinotori An offers a series of events that have an intensive Zen practice at their core.

Sesshins of varying duration are essential for students of the Zen Path.

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YOUR FIRST VISIT

The info meeting is the first step for those who would like to practice at Hinotori An. Sensei is always ready to provide support, but since she keeps to seclusion and silence, this is only possible during the scheduled time or by appointment.

Hinotori An is not a public space, so visitors to the hermitage are asked to respect the privacy and peace of the building's occupants.

SENSEI

Sensei

DOKA 道河 (aka Maja Z Mikos)

DoKa is Bodhisattva name with the meaning "the course of the Path"

Doka is the founder and resident teacher in Hinotori An 火の鳥庵. Before fully devoting herself to the spiritual life, she lived as a lay Zen nun to fulfill her role as a mother. During the period of her secular life, she obtained academic degrees in various fields (Dr.rer.nat., MSc, FRM).

Doka has been dedicated to spiritual development since childhood and has over 50 years of experience in various Western and Eastern spiritual teachings and practices. With the Guiyi ( 皈依 ) ceremony in 2002 (2546, per Buddhist calendar) Doka was accepted into the 34th generation of the Shaolin Chan brotherhood by Abbess Shi Yong Mei ( 释永梅 ) of Yongtai Nunnery (Yongtaisi 永泰寺), when she was given the name Shi Yan Sa ( 释延萨). She was ordained as a Zen priest by Master Meicho Missen Bovay during the winter Ango in 2003. She realised Original Nature in 2002, after which she lived retreated for shorter or longer periods in Asia and Europe to complete her spiritual refinement. She fully exited secular life in 2015. Presently she lives in Zürich after returning from two and a half years long seclusion in the Slovenian Alps.

Doka utilises her background to establish a unique style of Zen Buddhist training – a fusion of traditional and modern insights. Her training emphasises direct experience, the power of silence, and exposing of the Ego's triggers. Since she focuses on “every-moment-zen” and “no-idle talk” practices, Hinotori An may not be suitable for those looking for casual practice, relaxation or socialisation.