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Fragrant Grasses Zazenkai

Decorative image of grass with the following caption:

One day Chōsa went for a walk. When he retuned to the gate, the head monk said, “Oshō, where have you been strolling?” Chōsa said, “I have come from walking in the hills,” The head monk said, “Where have you been?” Chōsa said, “First I went following the fragrant grasses, and now I have returned in pursuit of the falling blossoms,” The head monk said, “You are full of the spring.” Chōsa said, “Better than the autumn dews falling on the lotus leaves.”

—Case 36, Blue Cliff Record (Sekida, trans.)

To practice Zen is to return to your true home. It is also to appreciate your life, just as it is.

We hope, therefore, that you will follow in Zen master Chōsa’s footsteps and join us at Kyoseikan Dojo in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the Fragrant Grasses Zazenkai. This retreat will take place on Sunday, June 9, 2019, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Practitioners of all levels of experience are encouraged to attend this day that will be rich with opportunities for meditation, scripture recitation, teisho, and dokusan with Gendo Roshi. A vegetarian lunch will be included.

To participate, please complete our Event Registration Form by no later than June 5. Your timely registration and payment allow us to plan a menu and make other arrangements.

We look forward to practicing with you!

In Gassho,
Gendo Roshi

Gendo Roshi
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2019 March Winds Zazenkai

Image by Gendo Roshi

Great Wave is pleased to announce the  2019 March Winds Extended Zazenkai which will take place March 22-24.  This retreat will give participants an opportunity to deepen their practice of zazen, hear a teisho, receive private instruction from Gendo Roshi, and participate in service ceremonies. As always, everyone who has received an orientation, regardless of experience, is welcome to attend this retreat.

We ask that you complete the Event Registration Form as soon as possible as seating and accommodations are limited. Once you are registered, you will receive an email with further details about this retreat.

We look forward to practicing with you!

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February 2019 Beginner’s Mind Zazenkai

Lost Lakes, Ludington, Michigan
“By the water, deep within the forest, you find the traces.” —The Oxherding Pictures

Great Wave Zen Sangha is pleased to announce its 2019 Beginner’s Mind Zazenkai.  This retreat will take place on Sunday, February 10, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.  Our time will be dedicated to introducing the fundamentals of Zen practice to those who are new to Zen—but practitioners of all levels of experience are encouraged to attend this day that will be rich with opportunities for meditation, scripture recitation, teisho, and dokusan with Gendo Roshi. A vegetarian lunch will be included.

Our retreat will take place at Great Wave’s new practice center, Myogenji Temple. (Please see our Location page for details.) To participate, please complete our Event Registration Form as soon as possible. Your timely registration and payment ($30) will allow us to plan a menu and make other arrangements.

We look forward to practicing with you!

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2018 Rohatsu Zazenkai Announced

The Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment as he gazed at the morning star after 45 days of meditation under the Bo tree.

Great Wave Zen Sangha is please to announce its 2018 Rohatsu Zazenkai retreat.  This will be an extended zazenkai, beginning at 7:00 PM, Friday, November 30, and ending at 9:00 AM, Sunday, December 2.  Rohatsu is the traditional anniversary of Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment.  Practitioners of all levels of experience are encouraged to attend this retreat. It will be rich with opportunities for meditation, scripture recitation, Teisho, and dokusan with Gendo Roshi. Vegetarian meals are included.

To participate, please complete our Event Registration Form as soon as possible. Your timely registration and payment ($80 for members; $120 for non-members) allow us to plan a menu and make other arrangements. Limited overnight accommodations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

We look forward to practicing with you!

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October 19-21, 2018, Extended Zazenkai

Great Wave Zen Sangha will host an extended zazenkai from 7:00 PM, Friday, October 19 to 9:00 AM, Sunday, October 21. This retreat is perfect for those who are new to Zen—but practitioners of all levels of experience are encouraged to attend this day that will be rich with opportunities for meditation, scripture recitation, Teisho, and dokusan with Gendo Roshi. Vegetarian meals are included are included.

To participate, please complete our Event Registration Form as soon as possible. Your timely registration and payment ($80 for members; $120 for non-members;) allow us to plan a menu and make other arrangements. Limited overnight accommodations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

We look forward to practicing with you!

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2018 Beginner’s Mind Zazenkai

Lost Lakes, Ludington, Michigan
“By the water, deep within the forest, you find the traces.” –The Oxherding Pictures

Great Wave Zen Sangha will host a Beginner’s Mind Zazenkai on June 9, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. This retreat will be dedicated to introducing the fundamentals of Zen practice to those who are new to Zen—but practitioners of all levels of experience are encouraged to attend this day that will be rich with opportunities for meditation, scripture recitation, Teisho, and dokusan with Gendo Roshi.  Lunch will be included.

The retreat will take place at Great Wave’s new practice center. (See our Location page for directions.)

To register for this event, please complete our Event Registration Form as soon as possible. Your timely registration and payment ($30) allow us to plan a menu and make other arrangements.

We look forward to practicing with you!

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Great Wave Zen Sangha Reopens

As some of you know, Great Wave Zen Sangha vacated its former location a few years ago.  For some time after that, we practiced at a temporary location at the local community college.  That too could not be continued, and while we did go on holding summer retreats, and while I have maintained video chat dokusan with some of my students, the Sangha has been mostly on a long hiatus.

The New GWZS Practice Center
The New GWZS Practice Center

I am very pleased to announce, however, that during the past two months, postulant priest Kevin Muzo Holohan; my wife, Hoen Sturgeon-Wolff; and I have prepared a small space attached to my home that will at last allow Great Wave to resume its former (rather vigorous!) weekly sitting schedule and to hold shorter sesshin.  The new space is located at 315 N. Rath, in Ludington. (For details about how to access the new space, please see our Location page.)

I think the reopening of our practice center is the perfect occasion for a day-long “beginner’s mind” retreat, or zazenkai, and I have scheduled this for Saturday, June 9, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. (Please see our Events Calendar for details about this retreat/workshop and to register.)

After the 2018 Beginner’s Mind Zazenkai, Great Wave’s doors will also be open for biweekly sittings on most Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. (Again, please see our Events Calendar for details.)

And, finally, in addition to the practice opportunities above, a short sesshin is tentatively scheduled for July 12 – 15; and our usual week-long sesshin is confirmed for August 3 -10.  I encourage you, if you haven’t done so already, to make sure you subscribe to Great Wave’s blog so that you receive announcements of the details concerning these upcoming retreats.

I sincerely hope to see you at both weekly sittings and/or upcoming zazenkai and sesshin. If you have any questions, please send a message via the Contact page of the GWZS website.

In Gassho,
Gendo Roshi

Gendo Roshi