Amsterdam Sewing the Kesa 2024

What is a sesshin ?

Touch the mind, become intimate with oneself, concentrating in zazen on the unified body and mind. This teaching was transmitted by Master Taisen Deshimaru.

Neither philosophy, nor ethics, nor religion, the Zen allows us to reach the origin of every philosophy, ethics or religion. Spring of awakening, the Zen transforms our life here and now.

Sesshin means touching the mind, it is a period where we essentially concentrate on zazen, also including samu, concentration on daily chore such as cooking or dish washing. Eventually we may practice yoga, do-in etc.


From Saturday 10 February until Sunday 11 February 2024

Zen Dojo Amsterdam - Gyo Kai


The practice of zazen is the essence of Zen.

Sitting facing the wall on a round cushion (zafu ), the legs in the lotus or semi lotus position, the knees laid down on the ground, the back well straight, the neck stretched, the left hand on the right hand, the edge of the hands on the abdomen, in a total immobility.

The breathing is quiet and the concentration is more directed to the breathing out.

The conscious mind is still, without entertaining nor rejecting the thoughts, we let them pass through the concentration on the posture and the breathing.

Master Deshimaru practising zazen

This sesshin is managed by The nun Françoise Kosen Laurent

La nonne Françoise Kosen Laurent

Françoise Kosen Laurent, former model or Louis Ferraud! Françoise chose the sewing of the sacred robe of the Buddha and became one of the oldest nuns of Master Deshimaru. She sewed her first rakusu in 1976, when she was ordained a zen nun.

Co-founder of the second dojo on Pernety Street, called "the workshop", where Deshimaru's real sangha truly began.

There, monks and nuns cooked the ’’guenmai’’ (traditional rice soup from the ancient Zen temples) that zazen participants ate every morning with Master Deshimaru. In this workshop, the kesa was sewn, and kimonos, kolomos, zafus were made ..... Later on, Françoise continued and deepened this practice, which she then taught in turn in the dojos and during the sesshins. And particularly at the temple of La Gendronnière.

In 2006, she met Master Kojun Kishigami, (last direct disciple of Master Kodo Sawaki), considered in Japan as a national treasure for his knowledge and practice of the kesa. Thanks to this relationship with Master Kishigami, she allows us today to deepen the study of the kesa "Nyoho e", in the tradition of Master Dogen and Master Mensan.

An meeting not to be missed for those who are passionate about this subject or for those who want to advance the sewing of their own kesa or rakusu.

"Master Kosen"

This sesshin will occur from Saturday 10 February (arrivals the evening before), until Sunday 11 February 2024, in Zen Dojo Amsterdam - Gyo Kai .

Zen Dojo Amsterdam - Gyo Kai

The Zen Dojo Amsterdam has the name Gyo Kai,which means ocean of practice. 

The Dojo is part of the international Kosen Sangha and is under the leadership of master Kosen Thibaut. Shown in the photos, you see people who practice in the dojo, some of them practice on a regular basis and some practice now and again. In the photos you see the following people Anna, Carolien, Ernst, Adrian, Paul, Arnaud, Florian, Jaap, Barbara, Carlos, Patricia, Julia, Gijs and John. Some are monk or non or bosshisatva, others are just to practice.  

We are fathers and mothers, artists, post delivery, psychologist, actrice, musician, architect, coach, filmmaker, teacher, employed or unemployed and all walks of life !!!.

Everyone is very welcome in our dojo to practice zazen.

 

 

Zen Dojo Amsterdam Zen Dojo Amsterdam
Zen Dojo Amsterdam: Buddha in our garden Zen Dojo Amsterdam: The Dojo Zen Dojo Amsterdam: Ceremony
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Buddha on the altar sesshin nov 2016 sesshin nov 2016
zazen morning zazen morning
NORTH SEA SESSHIN: 2 1/2 days: 30 November till 2 December 2018. Two and a half days of intensive zen practice under the direction of zen master GYU JI, (Ingrid Igelnick). Zen Dojo Amsterdam Sesshin
Mondo Guen Mai

Address

Andreas Bonnstraat 12 1091 AX Amsterdam - Tel. +31 (0)6 444 00 270

How to come


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Informations

We offer two prices

  • For people of modest means : 60 €
  • For people able to pay the sesshin at its right price :80 €

(Price for the complete Sesshin)

Arrival the day before, Friday February 9, 2024.

Informations and registration : www.zendojoamsterdam.nl

Phone : +31 (0)6 444 00 270

Email : info@zendojoamsterdam.nl


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Turn your light inside and make a half-turn, The infinite and inconceivable source can neither be faced nor avoided Meet the ancient masters and be intimate with their teaching. Tie up the grass to build a hut and never give up.

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Master Kosen

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