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.
Sky Above Zen--in person and on Zoom--will re-open from its summer pause on Tuesday evening (6:45 to 8:30 pm), September 7.
Because of the increase of cases of Covid in the Washington, DC area, Sky Above Zen requires that participants meeting at The Chastleton wear masks and be vaccinated. If not, please plan to join by Zoom. If you have a meditation cushion or bench that you like to use, please feel free to bring it. Chairs will be available for anyone who would like one.
Each evening includes meditation, chanting, and a dharma talk. Daisan (a short 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. Each week Sensei KōDō will send login instructions for those who want to join by Zoom.
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 6:45 or earlier 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. It is helpful to be settled and sitting before the bell that signals the start of the evening.
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. Each goes exclusively to supplement the monthly rent for the Chastleton space. Suggested amount: $10/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.
Because of the increase of cases of Covid in the Washington, DC area, Sky Above Zen requires that participants meeting at The Chastleton wear masks and be vaccinated. If not, please plan to join by Zoom. If you have a meditation cushion or bench that you like to use, please feel free to bring it. Chairs will be available for anyone who would like one.
Each evening includes meditation, chanting, and a dharma talk. Daisan (a short 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. Each week Sensei KōDō will send login instructions for those who want to join by Zoom.
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 6:45 or earlier 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. It is helpful to be settled and sitting before the bell that signals the start of the evening.
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.
- 6:45 arrive
- 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. Each goes exclusively to supplement the monthly rent for the Chastleton space. Suggested amount: $10/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
- The Chastleton Co-op Apartments, 1701 16th Street (corner of R and 16th) NW, near Dupont Circle.
- When you arrive, please ring the buzzer. Someone will greet you and direct you to the first floor room where we will be sitting.
- The Chastleton 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.
- 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.