A lay sangha affiliated to Zenways, London
We sit within the Zendo Kyodan school, of the Mino branch, of the Inzan lineage, of the Rinzai tradition of Zen Buddhism
We draw our inspiration from the works of two main Zen Masters, Hakuin Zenji and Bankei, as well as many others, working with Zazen (sitting meditation), Dozen (doing/active meditation) and Koan practices (contemplation on stories, di
alogues or questions). Our head abbot, Shinzan Miyamae Roshi, lives in Bankei's former hermitage, Gyokuryuji, near Seki, Japan. David Mokuren Slater, who leads the group is a trainee Junior Zen Teacher under the tutelage of Julian Daizan Skinner Roshi, Shinzan Roshi's successor and the first British person to become a Zen Master within the Rinzai tradition. Regular meetings held on Monday evenings, 7:15-9pm, at Om Studios, Greyhound St, Nottingham NG1 2DP
Whilst proud of the heritage behind us Nottingham Zen Society is not about trying to recreate a Zen monastery replete with overly formal adherence to dogma and practices. Instead, we hope to bring practical awareness of Buddhas teachings and that of the great Zen masters, bringing relief to our suffering and pointing in the direction of Kensho, a direct experience of our true nature. Chanting and ritual are used as another means to penetrate this understanding through mindful practice but not at the expense of remaining true to the experience by being too rigid. There is no requirement to wear black although it is requested muted colours without large designs/logos are worn in order to minimise distractions.
