Melbourne Zen Group

January Zazenkai Talk with Wayne Rankin

melbournezengroup — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:24:43 +0000

Dear members and friends,

On Saturday January 28th at 12pm, Wayne Rankin will give a talk entitled ‘Where are you now?’

Many members and Sesshin goers will know Wayne and so we look forward to welcoming him all the way from Mildura.

The talk begins at 12 noon. People who are unable to make it to the sit are welcome to attend the talk.

No Zazenkai 31st December

melbournezengroup — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:49:54 +0000

Dear Members and friends of MZG,

Please note that the sit on the 31st of December will be from 10am to 12pm.

End-of-year lunch

melbournezengroup — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:11:16 +0000

Dear Members and friends of MZG,

Our End-of-year lunch will be held at Ceres on Saturday 17 December at noon, following our usual Saturday morning sit. We’ll meet at the dojo, and probably dine under the trees at Ceres, so if you’re late just look around for us. Please bring a plate to share.

Visiting Zen Teacher AMA Samy in Sydney

melbournezengroup — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:50:13 +0000

A visiting zen teacher, Ama Samy is due to arrive in Sydney from Tamil Nadu, India late on Wednesday, Nov 30. He is recording an interview with the ABC the next day for scheduled broadcast on Sunday night, December 4 – Sunday nights with John Cleary on radio 702 kHz (774 in Melbourne) usually starting at 10 pm. He will be giving a talk at the Sydney Zen Centre on Friday evening, December 2 from 7pm. An hour has been set down for the talk and questions and there will be a cuppa afterwards. For all interested and in Sydney, the address is: 251 Young St, Annandale.

Zazenkai 26th November: China trip report at noon

melbournezengroup — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:45:36 +0000

Please be reminded that Zazenkai this Saturday is going ahead at our usual venue in CERES and will be from 9am till 12noon. At noon, there will be a presentation of the recent zen China trip by members and friends. There will be pictures, stories and reflections on some of the temples, nunneries visited. All are welcome. If for any reason you can’t make it to the sit but still would like to come to the talk, you would be most welcome too.

Rohatsu Walking Sesshin—Early Bird extended

melbournezengroup — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:09:40 +0000

The early bird period for the coming Rohatsu sesshin (December 3 to December 10) has now been extended by 2 weeks till 14^th November. This is in recognition of the fact that both organisers, Peter W and Colin T, have been away in China in October for the Zen tour and enquiries may have been more difficult than normal. (We would like to thank Tineke for taking enquiries during the period.)

In addition, we would like to assure prospective participants that the weather on the high plains is quite mild even in Summer: the maximum is between 15 and 18, and minimum is between 6 and 9 Celcius. Colin Thompson reports that he experienced a white Christmas in 2004. It is ideal weather for walking.

In terms of the terrain, while we are in the high country, the routes that we have chosen for the walks are by no means arduous. While undulating, the terrain is generally gradual, with only small gains or losses in altitude (with only one possible exception).

Colin Thompson writes:

I’ve been camping Victoria’s High Plains since the sixties. While all seasons are great, it is truly memorable in summer. Wild flowers are starting, rain is infrequent and the temperature is around twenty most days, though it feels warmer in the sun.
Walking the high plains is exhilarating and there is always a few coppices of snow gums nearby and a fair scattering of cattlemen’s huts. Three are in easy reach of our lodge and we will be visiting them. The cattle have gone and with them the cow pats and attendant flies. You may with luck though sight a mob of brumbies but you won’t get near them. The Alpine Summer is an experience not to be missed.

Information and application form available at http://mzg.org.au/calendar-upcoming-events/sesshin/

Rohatsu Walking Sesshin

melbournezengroup — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:13:22 +0000

In the spirit of going on pilgrimage since ancient times, to visit wise teachers, famous temples or sacred mountains, we take up the practice of rambling through the bush, and walking along meandering trails, unburdened.

Please join us for 7 days of walking and sitting in the company of fellow travellers under the guidance of Susan Murphy Roshi in the Bogong High Plains, Victoria. We will be using the Rover Scouts’ chalet as our base camp and taking day walks from there. Due to the nature of the sesshin and the distance of the venue from Melbourne, we are considering applications for full time attendance only.

Dates: Saturday 3rd to Saturday 10th December 2011

Download an application form (further details included).

Snow gum along the trail

September Zazenkai cancelled

melbournezengroup — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:14:49 +0000

Please note that the upcoming September zazenkai on Saturday 24th is cancelled due to the Spring sesshin (meditation retreat). There will be zazen, however, at the usual time of 10am to 12noon.

Spring Sesshin Now 5 days

melbournezengroup — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 10:02:12 +0000

Due to lower number of applications for the forthcoming Spring sesshin with Subhana Barzaghi Roshi, the sesshin is now shortened to 5 days, running from Friday 23rd to Wednesday 28th September. Applications to attend are very welcome. Download here for the updated form.

Full Moon Sit

melbournezengroup — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 22:56:22 +0000

Dear members,

This month the full moon sit will be held on Friday the 9th of September, as usual between 7 and 10pm. All full moon dates can be found on the website under the Calendar/Upcoming Events tab.