SKY ABOVE GREAT WIND
Our Meditation Schedule and More Information
Our Meditation Schedule and More Information
Iwasaki Tsuneo (1917-2002), Detail of DNA, 30 x 27 cm
Courtesy of Dr. Paula Arai
Iwasaki brushes the double helix with miniature calligraphy of the Heart Sutra set against the universe. He renders the enlightening wisdom that we chant in the Heart Sutra as embedded in the very code of life, embodied in every cell of the interconnected web of life, generating myriad forms of compassionate action.
Courtesy of Dr. Paula Arai
Iwasaki brushes the double helix with miniature calligraphy of the Heart Sutra set against the universe. He renders the enlightening wisdom that we chant in the Heart Sutra as embedded in the very code of life, embodied in every cell of the interconnected web of life, generating myriad forms of compassionate action.
PLEASE NOTE:
Sky Above Zen on Zoom scheduled each Tuesday evening (7:00 to 8:00 pm) is paused for the summer. The re-opening date—Tuesday, September 7, at the latest—will be posted here.
Each Zoom evening includes meditation, chanting, and a dharma talk. Daisan, or interview with the teacher, is offered every month. On occasion shakyō (sutra copying) is offered, including an introduction to the practice and copy materials.
Please use the contact form below to sign up for our email list to receive Zoom instructions. Each week Sensei KōDō will send Zoom invitations with login instructions.
Our worldwide crisis of COVID-19 and the persistent racism toward those who are deemed people of color in this country remind us that life is precious and fleeting and that we are empty of separateness and wholly interdependent.
Our Zen practice of the Three Tenets—Not Knowing, Bearing Witness, and Taking Action—helps us live the fullness of our humanity and effect real change in the world. Click here for a reading list of books helpful in challenging racism.
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Zazen
Sky Above Zen meets weekly on Tuesday evenings September (starting Tuesday after Labor Day) through May. Please arrive by 6:40 to help set up cushions and chairs. Sitting begins promptly at 7:00. Plan to be seated five minutes before the scheduled sit. In Zen it is said if you arrive on time, you are already late.
The Zendo for in-person meeting is currently closed.
Watch here for the re-opening date and new location:
Evening Schedule
We come together for evening zazen (sitting meditation), kinhin (walking meditation) and chanting (a few of Sky Above's principal chants and sutras). A weekly teisho (dharma talk) is given, usually emphasizing koans. These Zen stories about the basic truths of our lives are dark to the mind but radiant to the heart.
Daisan
Daisan, an individual interview with the teacher, is offered on the last Tuesday of the month or by request. Daisan is the traditional opportunity to ask questions or briefly discuss your practice with the teacher. Koan practice is also offered.
Meditation Instruction
Beginners are encouraged to come and instruction is always available. Please send an email if you'd like a ten-minute introduction to meditation. “Beginner’s mind” is highly esteemed in Zen. Whether this is our first time in the zendo or the millionth, we aspire to be beginners with a mind that is open and self-sufficient. We do not think, “I have attained something.” We resume our original boundless mind, and practice.
Shakyō—Tracing Emptiness
Shakyō is the dharma practice of copying sutras. Copying the Heart Sutra is an excellent way to put yourself fully into the sutra. Maezumi Roshi says, “The sutra is copying you too!” Shakyō is offered quarterly on Tuesday evening. The date will be announced well ahead of time just above the contact form at the bottom of this page. If interested, please use the form to sign up.
Zazenkai (All-day Retreat)
Date, time, and location to be announced.
Donations
We are grateful for every donation. It goes exclusively to supplement the monthly rent for the small chapel. Suggested amount: $5-$10 each week.
More Information
If you have any questions, please send an email to skyabovezen [at] gmail.com or call 202-599-8242 and leave a message.
Sky Above Zen on Zoom scheduled each Tuesday evening (7:00 to 8:00 pm) is paused for the summer. The re-opening date—Tuesday, September 7, at the latest—will be posted here.
Each Zoom evening includes meditation, chanting, and a dharma talk. Daisan, or interview with the teacher, is offered every month. On occasion shakyō (sutra copying) is offered, including an introduction to the practice and copy materials.
Please use the contact form below to sign up for our email list to receive Zoom instructions. Each week Sensei KōDō will send Zoom invitations with login instructions.
Our worldwide crisis of COVID-19 and the persistent racism toward those who are deemed people of color in this country remind us that life is precious and fleeting and that we are empty of separateness and wholly interdependent.
Our Zen practice of the Three Tenets—Not Knowing, Bearing Witness, and Taking Action—helps us live the fullness of our humanity and effect real change in the world. Click here for a reading list of books helpful in challenging racism.
—————--
Zazen
Sky Above Zen meets weekly on Tuesday evenings September (starting Tuesday after Labor Day) through May. Please arrive by 6:40 to help set up cushions and chairs. Sitting begins promptly at 7:00. Plan to be seated five minutes before the scheduled sit. In Zen it is said if you arrive on time, you are already late.
The Zendo for in-person meeting is currently closed.
Watch here for the re-opening date and new location:
Evening Schedule
We come together for evening zazen (sitting meditation), kinhin (walking meditation) and chanting (a few of Sky Above's principal chants and sutras). A weekly teisho (dharma talk) is given, usually emphasizing koans. These Zen stories about the basic truths of our lives are dark to the mind but radiant to the heart.
- 6:40 arrive to help set up cushions and chairs
- 6:55 everyone sitting
- 7:00-7:25 Gatha of Repentance and zazen
- 7:25-7:35 kinhin
- 7:35-8:00 teisho and zazen
- 8:00-8:05 kinhin
- 8:05-8:27 chanting, zazen
- 8:27-8:30 Four Great Vows and Evening Gatha
Daisan
Daisan, an individual interview with the teacher, is offered on the last Tuesday of the month or by request. Daisan is the traditional opportunity to ask questions or briefly discuss your practice with the teacher. Koan practice is also offered.
Meditation Instruction
Beginners are encouraged to come and instruction is always available. Please send an email if you'd like a ten-minute introduction to meditation. “Beginner’s mind” is highly esteemed in Zen. Whether this is our first time in the zendo or the millionth, we aspire to be beginners with a mind that is open and self-sufficient. We do not think, “I have attained something.” We resume our original boundless mind, and practice.
Shakyō—Tracing Emptiness
Shakyō is the dharma practice of copying sutras. Copying the Heart Sutra is an excellent way to put yourself fully into the sutra. Maezumi Roshi says, “The sutra is copying you too!” Shakyō is offered quarterly on Tuesday evening. The date will be announced well ahead of time just above the contact form at the bottom of this page. If interested, please use the form to sign up.
Zazenkai (All-day Retreat)
Date, time, and location to be announced.
Donations
We are grateful for every donation. It goes exclusively to supplement the monthly rent for the small chapel. Suggested amount: $5-$10 each week.
More Information
If you have any questions, please send an email to skyabovezen [at] gmail.com or call 202-599-8242 and leave a message.
Location & Directions
- Church of the Holy City (small chapel, top floor), 1611 16th Street, NW, near Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.
- When you arrive, at the end of the driveway you will find the side door locked. Please ring the buzzer for the 2nd floor, and we will unlock the door for you. Just inside you’ll see the stairs that will take you up to the small chapel.
- The church is a 10-minute walk from the Dupont Metro station (Red line, North - Q Street - exit). Walk east a few blocks along Q Street, then turn left on 16th. The church is on the right.
- There is free on-street parking available throughout the neighborhood.
Shakyō (Sutra Copying Practice)
The next session will be announced here: TBD
Shakyō sessions are limited to 10 participants. Sign up via the contact form below to ensure that materials are available. No experience is necessary for this dharma practice.
The next session will be announced here: TBD
Shakyō sessions are limited to 10 participants. Sign up via the contact form below to ensure that materials are available. No experience is necessary for this dharma practice.
Please use the contact form below to sign up for Shakyō or to be included on the Sky Above mailing list.