Introduction to Dokusan

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When:
October 15, 2013 @ 6:30 pm – October 15, 2013 @ 8:00 pm
2013-10-15T18:30:00-04:00
2013-10-15T20:00:00-04:00
Where:
Blue Mountain Zendo
853 Constitution Drive
Allentown, PA 18103
USA
Cost:
$15 per class/$40 for series
Contact:

Zendo 031Introduction to Dokusan (Private Interview) focuses on the formal structure, procedures and conduct involved with private interview or dokusan. Dokusan is designed to create the intensity required to aid the student in the subjective exploration of the great matter at hand (life and death). The teacher guides the student via barriers (*koans) which act as an expedient to loosen and remove our self imposed attachments and delusions. The resulting kensho (insight) helps to restore our natural state of unity as well as promoting the internal freedom which is required to find peace within ourselves and others. In dokusan, Zen teachers use many methods to aid in this process; however, the details of the story are written by the student with a minimal amount of correction or redirection from the teacher. The teacher’s role in Dokusan is as a guide, a compass; however, the path must be yours, there are no shortcuts nor can anyone clear the briars for you. Go straight on, and when you truly need encouragement or direction, the Zen Teacher stands ready to loosen the knot.

* Koans (from Chinese kung-an, literally “public notice,” or “public announcement”) are based on anecdotes of Zen (Chinese: Ch’an) masters. There are said to be 1,700 koans in all. The two major collections are the Pi-yen lu (Chinese: “Blue Cliff Records”; Japanese: Hekigan-roku), consisting of 100 koans selected and commented on by a Chinese priest, Yüan-wu, in 1125 on the basis of an earlier compilation; and the Wu-men kuan (Japanese: Mumon-kan), a collection of 48 koans compiled in 1228 by the Chinese priest Hui-k’ai (known also as Wu-men).