Announcing additional transformative practices: Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, Aikido for Beginners, and Rising Moon Warriors program.

We are pleased to announce that starting in September, we will begin offering a number of new programs, including Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, Aikido for Beginners, and Rising Moon Warriors program.

We are always looking for instructors to start other programs at the temple. Any traditional, meditative, or physical art may fit with our mission. If you have experience in a martial, traditional, fine art, or physical practice and would like to work with us, we would love to hear from you! Contact us at daiyuzenji@gmail.com.

Ashtanga Yoga - starting Sunday, September 22
Sundays, 10:45 - 11:45 AM
To sign up, click here

Aikido for Beginners Open House
Sunday, September 22, 12 - 1 PM and Wednesday, September 25, 7 - 9 PM
To RSVP, click here

Rising Moon Warriors
Enrolling Now
Sundays, 1 - 2 PM
For more information, click here, or to sign up, email Kogetsukai at Laurence@Kogetsukai.com.

For details on the class and schedule, click here.
 

Daiyuzenji Study Group Surangama Sutra Course Beginning June 30

Join us as we begin reading and discussing The Surangama (Shurangama) Sutra - A New Translation with Excerpts from the Commentary by the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, presented by the Buddhist Text Translation Society. This profound text is a cornerstone of Mahayana Buddhist literature.
It gives instruction in the correct understanding of the Buddha-nature, which is the potential within all beings for becoming a Buddha. The Sūtra explains how and why this true nature is hidden within our ordinary experience of ourselves and of the world, and it shows how we can uncover this nature and recognize that it is our own true mind.

All are welcome to participate.
RSVP here to request the Zoom link. 

The Surangama (Shurangama) Sutra - A New Translation with Excerpts from the Commentary by the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua

Presented by the Buddhist Text Translation Society.

Membership update: please read

Dear Friend,

We rely entirely on the generous donations of individuals like you to cover all of our operating costs and keep our temple and programming available for our community and visitors. We have also not raised our suggested donation amounts in many years. To continue providing this vital space for Rinzai Zen training in Chicago, we humbly request that regular participants in our programming become "Supporting Members" with a monthly subscription donation of $60.

Why Become a Supporting Member?

  • You may attend any of our events —including sesshin, zazenkai, seminars etc.—without additional donations. We will request a donation from non-Members for each event going forward.
     

  • Your support allows us to maintain our community, our activity, and our temple, ensuring we can continue to make our practices available to all. It fosters the preservation of our heritage and traditions within the broader community.


Thank you very much for considering setting up your Supporting Membership. You can easily set up your recurring donation by clicking here. Alternatively, you can make check donations by mail or drop cash or a check in our donation box when you visit. If financial circumstances make this contribution difficult, please consider making a recurring donation of an amount that works for you. Every contribution helps and is greatly appreciated.

Please join us in ensuring the future of our temple and community. Your commitment and generosity truly make all the difference.

Thank you! 

Atlanta, Georgia, now has two newly ordained Priests in the Rinzai Zen tradition.

Please welcome Glenn Murray (Ordained: HŌGEN JŌNIN) and Chris Britton (Ordained: DAISHI HOSEI). Congratulations, Glenn and Chris.

Chris and Glenn have been training tirelessly for 20-plus years, traveling to Chicago for many retreats and developing and maintaining the Zen Center of Georgia, one of the most beautiful spaces for transformative practices in the country.

This past weekend, an intensive meditation retreat included a visit from Tesshin Brand Roshi (Abott of Daiyuzenji Rinzai Zen Temple in Chicago) along with friends, family, and students of the Zen Community, including So’zan Miller Roshi (Former abbot of Daiyuzenji). It ended in the ordination ceremony of Glenn Murray and Chris Britton. Glenn and Chris have made their vow to help continue their efforts in bringing the transformative tradition of Rinzai Zen to their community by offering a regular meditation program, introduction sessions, workshops, and retreats in Atlanta, Georgia.

Chicago Public Library Hosts Tesshin Brand Roshi for 'Life and Zen' Lecture

Life and Zen: Finding Peace in a Seemingly Unpeaceful World

Join us at the Chicago Public Library for a talk led by Tesshin Brand Roshi, the Abbot of Daiyuzenji. Tesshin Roshi will share insights on how Zen can be integrated into our everyday lives. He emphasizes that achieving balanced mental health, equilibrium, and tranquility is possible right here and now, without the need to retire to a monastery. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how Zen can enhance your daily life.

Saturday, June 1, 2024
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Harold Washington Library Center 
400 S. State St. Chicago IL 60605
7th Floor, Chicago Authors Room
Free and open to the public, for more information, click here.

Zen-Ken-Sho Public Lecture & Demonstration By So’zan Miller Roshi

Join us in November as we host Rev. So'zan Miller Roshi (First Abbot of Daiyuzenji) as he shares his view on Zen-Ken-Sho. 

Zen-Ken-Sho is a principle set forth by Omori Sogen, who became well known for this unique approach to Zen practice, integrating insights from martial and fine arts training with traditional Zen methods as a way to create a balanced life. This approach has been described as a unity of Zen, Ken ("sword," referring to martial arts or physical culture), and Sho ("brush," referring to calligraphy or fine arts). 

Friday, November 10, 7 - 9 PM
Suggested donation: $25
Limited capacity, click here to RSVP

Shodo (Way of the Brush)

This autumn, we are focusing on the “sho” aspect of the “Zen, ken, sho” curriculum set forth by Omori Roshi for balanced human development.

Shodo means “way of writing," but there is much more here than meets the eye. Our focus is on the meditative aspects of this beautiful form of writing. We will start by practicing basic strokes while focusing on posture, breath and the observation of how the subtleties in aesthetics are affected by our own condition. In the months to come, we will dive deeper into the practice by putting our attention on developing the characters in the Heart Sutra. Please join us on Tuesday evenings as we will be making shodo our regular post zazen practice, and join us for our short retreats on October 14 and November 18, where we will be dedicating larger blocks of time to putting great effort into this practice.

Although shodo will become our primary focus on Tuesday evening, we will continue working on Hojo (sword kata) on Thursdays after zazen. We will begin by learning the primary movements involved in the autumn kata.

We are also excited to announce the beginning of our Sunday morning in-person training. Keep an eye out for the details.  

Tesshin Brand
Abbot, Daiyuzenji Rinzai Zen Temple

Shodo (Calligraphy) Practice

Every Tuesday, join us for two periods of zazen, seated meditation, followed by shodo practice. This Fall, we also offer two special calligraphy-focused events - an introductory workshop on October 14 to learn the fundamentals of brushwork, stroke order, and composition. And a comprehensive 7-hour seminar on November 18. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner, there’s something suitable for everyone. 

Space is limited. Please email us at daiyuzenji@gmail.com to RSVP.