Service Description

The Dharma meeting is part of the regular practice and is held after the Zazen class. It usually takes 30 minutes. This meeting should be approached as a formal meeting between a Dharma Teacher and a Dharma Student, endeavoring to always preserve the Spirit of the Dharma. Although it lacks the ritual component, characteristic of Dokusan, the conversation rests on the foundations of mutual respect and virtuous behavior. This meeting must be seen as an applied Zen practice during which one maintains a high level of awareness and remembers that this is not a friendly chat between friends. Students should come prepared to the Dharma meeting, meaning with a clear idea of the questions they want to ask. The questions refer exclusively to aspects of personal spiritual maturation or to the deeper meaning of the practice itself. The meeting aims at deepening the understanding of the Way, the Self and the Dharma and serves as: • an instrument of Zen guidance through clarification of the ambiguities, or correction of the wrong interpretations of experiences and principles; • a practice toward mastering of the right listening and speaking; • a deepening of the relationship between the sensei and the student. Engaging in empty conversations, intellectualization, heated discussions, or theoretical debates must be avoided. A Dharma Meeting is not appropriate: •. for discussion and questions about the technique of Zen practice (i.e. body posture during Zen practice, pains during Zazen, choice of Zafu, breathing patterns, etc.). Answers to such questions are obtained during the “Mondo” or “Practice Discussion”; •. for the theory or history of Buddhism, and Zen Buddhism. These subjects are covered in Zen seminars, Zen lectures (Koza) and some Dharma Talks; •. for getting insights and commentary on general spiritual matters. These subjects are addressed in Teisho; •. for students who are going through acute emotional crises. In such cases, "Life Guidance" meetings are more appropriate, as emotionally charged issues require a different approach. Schedule: Tue, Wed /21:15 – 21:45 Participants: 1 Duration: 30’ Teaching tuition: 30 CHF Read more: https://www.hinotori-an.com/hinotori-zendo-meetings-with-sensei