zenbrighton

We now sit Zazen at Jing Massage, 28-29 Bond Street BN1 1RD Thursday Evening 7pm and Friday Morning 7.30am

About us

Taisen Deshimaru
Taisen Deshimaru

The Brighton Soto Zen Group has been offering twice-weekly zazen (seated meditation) in the heart of Brighton since 2003. Zazen is led by ordained members of the Association Zen Internationale, which was founded in France in the 1960's by Master Taisen Deshimaru, a disciple of Kodo Sawaki Roshi.

Izauk, the British affiliate of the AZI, has long-established dojos and groups across the country, and hosts regular sesshins, zen days and workshops throughout the year, often led by elder disciples of Master Deshimaru.

Contact

Heather or Jay

email Heather and Jay

Sign up for our emails. Send an email to: ZenBrighton-join@izauk.org

When

Friday morning: arrive from 07:15, sitting from 07:30 to 08:20

Thursday evening: arrive from 18:35, sitting from 19:00 to 20:10

Where

Jing Massage, 28-29 Bond Street BN1 1RD

About zazen

In IZAUK groups, when we practise zazen, we practise ‘Shikantaza’ or ‘just wholehearted, exact, sitting’. This is silent, seated, objectless meditation. We sit still and upright, offering our complete attention to each moment.

To practise zazen, sit cross-legged on a zafu – a firm round cushion commonly stuffed with kapok (or sometimes buckwheat hulls). The pelvis is tilted very slightly forwards. Knees connect firmly with the earth, and the spine naturally extends upwards, lifting the crown of the head towards the sky. The chin is tucked gently in, stretching the back of the neck. The shoulders relax naturally back and down. The abdomen relaxes. The left hand is placed palm upward upon the palm of the right hand, middle fingers aligned. The tips of the thumbs touch very gently, forming an oval: the cosmic mudra. The little fingers touch the abdomen. Eyes are at 45 degrees downwards, neither open nor closed, focussed on nothing. Awareness rests on body and breathing. Breathing is slow, powerful and natural. Letting go to a long exhale, fully relaxing the abdomen, and receiving the inhale naturally when it comes.

Sitting with no purpose or desire for gain, allowing thoughts and emotions which arise to float past like clouds in the sky. Some days, the clouds are small. Other days, they are mighty storms. But by practising in this way, we can experience that however they may be each day, they are simply fleeting appearances within vast emptiness.

In the Dojo

(meditation hall)

Zafus

In zen, posture is considered to be very important. Zafus, zen cushions, are different heights, and over time you will find what is the right height for you. You can borrow one while in the dojo, but please don't remove it. If you prefer to bring your own, that's fine.

Kinhin

Kinhin is walking zen, between periods of sitting. Before starting, please fold your zafuton (mat) in half, place your zafu upright against the wall out of the way.

Walking in the Dojo

When we walk in the dojo to enter, leave, and after kinhin, we walk with hands in 'shasshu': the hands are clasped in front of the body, forearms horizontal. Walk silently, straight, and turn corners at ninety degrees.

The Kyosaku

The kyosaku is the stick of awakening and is an aid to zazen. During some sits, it is offered to all, but given only to those who request it. It is used by giving a blow to the trapezius muscle on each shoulder, and helps to awaken and focus the mind. It is given and received in a particular way. If you want to learn how to receive it please ask.

Ending zazen

At the end of most periods of zazen, we have the 'kaijo', the opening or closing of the dojo. This involves the beating of the time on the drum, and the sounding of the wood. While this takes place, everyone remains sitting except those playing the instruments, until the final bell is struck. In the morning, we also chant a short sutra (the Kesa sutra) 3 times before the end of sitting.

Chanting

After most sitting periods, we chant the Hannya Shingyo (Sutra of Great Wisdom), the four Bodhisattva vows, and the Eko (dedication). The Hannya Shingyo is a mixture of Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese, while the Eko is in Japanese. Sutra sheets are handed out. Some people know the chants off by heart, and hold their hands in the zazen mudra and gassho (palms together in front of the chest). However, if you are using the sutra sheet it is better to simply hold it up to eye level rather than trying to read it on the floor.

When chanting, find your own tone which harmonises with the others. Focus on breath and sound, and treat it as a practice in awareness and being present.

Teaching in the dojo

The person directing a session may give kusen - a short verbal teaching during zazen. Jay or Heather will be happy to discuss any aspects of practice with you.

Our dojo mentor is Guy Mokuho Mercier, a senior monk and teacher in the Association Zen Internationale who has received shiho (dharma transmission) in the Soto Zen lineage.

Ordination

You will see some people wearing the kesa - a sewn garment wrapped around the body - or rakusu - a smaller version worn around the neck. These are people who have received ordination in the zen lineage. This primarily represents a commitment to practice and to support others through this practice, and is not about rank or hierarchy.

Special events

Brighton Zen Group has regular half-day practice periods on Sunday mornings, roughly every 6 weeks; these are held at Jay and Heather's house, and are usually small friendly gatherings (6-10 participants) with a generous break for coffee and cake. There is no charge for this, but donations are very welcome.

As part of the UK branch of the International Zen Association, members of Brighton Zen Group regularly participate in sesshin - residential periods of intensive practice. We have 3-4 of these in the UK each year, and also participate in sesshin elsewhere in Europe. If you would like to deepen your zen practice, these are a great way to meet teachers in the Soto Zen lineage, and to experience practising with ‘Sangha’, the community of practitioners.

Money

Money collected at the dojo is used to pay for the space and its upkeep. If you can, please pay the suggested donation. If you have difficulties paying, speak to the person in charge. If you would like to attend regularly, and pay by monthly standing order, thereby helping us to manage our budget, and potentially saving you money, please ask for a leaflet.

(Adapted from an article by Bristol Zen Dojo)

understanding the posture

Understanding the posture [pdf - 246kb]

understanding kinhin

Understanding Kinhin [PDF - 303KB]

Hand positions

Chants and translations

Maka Hannya Haramita Shingyo

Kan ji zai bo satsu

Gyo jin han-nya ha ra mi ta ji

Sho ken go on kai ku

Do is-sai ku yaku

Sha ri shi

Shiki fu i ku

Ku fu i shiki

Shiki soku ze ku

Ku soku ze shiki

Ju so gyo shiki

Yaku bu nyo ze

Sha ri shi

Ze sho ho ku so

Fu sho fu metsu

Fu ku fu jo

Fu zo fu gen

Ze ko ku chu

Mu shiki mu ju so gyo shiki

Mu gen ni bi zes shin ni

Mu shiki sho ko mi soku ho

Mu gen kai nai shi mu i shiki kai

Mu mu myo yaku mu mu myo jin

Nai shi mu ro shi

Yaku mu ro shi jin

Mu ku shu metsu do

Mu chi yaku mu toku

I mu sho toku ko

Bo dai sat-ta e han-nya ha ra mi ta ko

Shin mu ke ge mu ke ge ko

Mu u ku fu

On ri is-sai ten do mu so

Ku gyo ne han

San ze sho butsu

E han-nya ha ra mi ta ko

Toku a noku ta ra san myaku san bo dai

Ko chi han-nya ha ra mi ta

Ze dai jin shu

Ze dai myo shu

Ze mu jo shu

Ze mu to do shu

No jo is-sai ku

Shin jitsu fu ko

Ko setsu han-nya ha ra mi ta shu

Soku setsu shu watsu

Gya tei, gya tei, ha ra gya tei

Hara so gya tei

Bo ji sowa ka

Han-nya Shin gyo

Heart of Great Perfect Wisdom Sutra

Avalokiteshavara Bodhisattva, when deeply practicing prajna paramita, clearly saw that all five aggregates are empty (ku) and thus relieved all suffering.

Shariputra, form does not differ from emptiness; emptiness does not differ from form. Form itself is emptiness, emptiness itself form. Sensations, perceptions, formations, and consciousness are also like this.

Shariputra, all dharmas are marked by emptiness; they neither arise nor cease, are neither defiled nor pure, neither increase nor decrease. Therefore, given emptiness, there is no form, no sensation, no perception, no formation, no consciousness; no eyes, no ears, no nose, no tongue, no body, no mind; no sight, no sound, no smell, no taste, no touch, no object of mind; no realm of sight… no realm of mind consciousness. There is neither ignorance nor extinction of ignorance… neither old age and death, nor extinction of old age and death; no suffering, no cause, no cessation, no path; no knowledge and no attainment.

With nothing to attain, a bodhisattva relies on prajna paramita, and thus the mind is without hindrance. Without hindrance, there is no fear. Far beyond all inverted views, one realizes nirvana. All buddhas of past, present, and future rely on prajna paramita, and thereby attain unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment. Therefore, know the prajna paramita as the great miraculous mantra, the great bright mantra, the supreme mantra, the incomparable mantra, which removes all suffering and is true, not false. Therefore we proclaim the prajna paramita mantra, the mantra that says: “Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha.”

Shigu seigan mon

Shu jo muhen seigan do

Bonno mujin seigandan

Homon muryo seigangaku

Butsu do mujo seiganjo

The Four Bodhisattva Vows

Beings innumerable, I vow to save them all

Delusions inexhaustable,I vow to overcome them all

Dharma gates countless, I vow to pass through them all

Buddha way supreme, I vow to follow it

FuEko

Ne ga waku wa

Kono kudo kowo motte

Amani ku issai ni

Oyeboshi wareru to

Shujo tomina tomini

Butsudo wo chozen koto wo

Ji ho san shi i shi fu

Shi son bu sa mo ko sa

Mo ko ho jya ho ro mi

Universal Dedication

May the merit of this

penetrate into all things

in all places

So that we and every

sentient being together can

realise the Buddha Way.

Ten directions, three worlds, all Buddhas;

All venerable ones,Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas;

The great Prajna Paramita

Kesa Sutra (morning only)

Dai sai gedap-puku

Muso fuku den e

Hi bu nyorai kyo

Ko do shoshu jo

Great and unlimited is the garment of freedom

Garment without form and of the field of happiness

Wrapping ourselves in the Buddha's teachings

We save all sentient beings

PDFs reproduced with kind permission of Lanau Zen Centre