• This is the stone, drenched with rain, that marks the way.

• One of the powers of the Buddha: to see what someone needs and to give it to them

• We should practice zazen like someone who is dying. For such a person, there is nothing to rely on. When you reach this kind of understanding, you will not be fooled by anything. – Suzuki Roshi

• The secret of Zen comes down to just two words: ‘Not always so’. – Suzuki Roshi

• Someone asked Suzuki Roshi, ‘What is Nirvana?’ He replied. ‘Seeing one thing through to the end.’

• What is Zen? To see things just as they are – and then help them be the best they can be.

• Don’t anticipate. Nothing can save you now, because this is your last moment.

• Forget the ladder. In Zen, everything is right here on the ground.

Zen Open Circle is a lively and very Australian Zen community that is open to every sincere enquirer, without exception.

What is Zen? What is ‘Zazen’?
Our practice is seated meditation (‘zazen’) in shared silence, together with walking meditation, some sutras and bows, talks and conversation with our Zen teacher. Zen invites us to wake up from the small dream of the self by paying steady, loving, open attention to the present moment. More about Zen meditation and how we practice.

Weekly Meditation
We meet every Friday, from 5.30 to 8 pm at The Buddhist Library and Meditation Centre, upstairs, 90 Church Street, Camperdown. Get directions and our Friday night sitting schedule.

Our Teacher
Susan Murphy Roshi is our resident Zen teacher. Susan is a member of the Diamond Sangha Teachers Circle, stemming from Robert Aitken. She is also a teacher for the Melbourne Zen Group. More about Susan Murphy Roshi.

2012 Sesshin Dates
Autumn:  Saturday April 14th - Saturday 21st April

Spring:  Saturday September 29th - Saturday October 6th
Find out more about Sesshin