The ineffable Dharma cannot be expressed in words, but poetic language may be able to convey a deeper meaning. The Buddha often used similes from his students’ life experience, and Zen poets made use of images and metaphors from nature.

Poetry has played an important role in Buddhist teaching for many hundreds of years. Religious texts that were passed on orally could be remembered through rhyme and meter, and the major Mahayana sutras are partly in verse form.
Some of the fundamental scriptures of the Soto School were written as poems, which are often recited in Zen temples.

In this six-weeks class, we will become acquainted with ancient and contemporary Zen poets and also find a new approach to Dogen Zenji’s work.

Class Fee $ 50.00, membership discounts apply.

No preparation is necessary.
Some of the material used in the class are from the following books (among others):
The Complete Cold Mountain. Poems of the Legendary Hermit Hanshan - translated by Kazuaki Tanahashi and Peter Levitt
The Zen Poetry of Dogen. Verses from the Mountain of Eternal Peace - by Steven Heine
Sky Above, Great Wind. The LIfe and Poetry of Zen Master Ryokan - by Kazuaki Tanahashi

and a special book from the travels by our Resident Teacher Emerita, Tonen O’Connor, which is available from our store ($34.95):
Ryokan Interpreted - by Shohaku Okumura with Tonen O’Connor

The Class will be in hybrid form, people who are fully vaccinated, may come in person, others may attend by zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3499053117?pwd=RWlleFJLM0NoTGRLY1JkWlN6QUllZz09