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On October 2, an Open House is scheduled at Noorder Poort. Everyone interested in Zen meditation, is invited to come and visit us on that day. There will be tours of the house, instructions on Zen meditation and short talks. Our doors will be open from 10:30 AM to 4 PM. If you arrive by public transport, we have a taxi service to pick you up from the station at Steenwijk (€ 4,50 one way); just let us know what time you arrive. A contribution from Shukun Götz The wish was, that it was going to be a pilgrimage: Hiking, encountering meditation for one month in the Zanskar valley in the Himalayas which is also named “little Tibet”. This is because Tibetan religion and culture is lived there in a very true and authentic way. Only for seven months during the year can this valley be reached by passes, in the utmost north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir with an altitude of 4500 meters and more.
Very often a son or daughter from a family will become a nun or monk in one of the numerous monasteries. In very small fields barley and peas are growing, the base of an almost self-sufficient way of living. The harvest is always endangered by an early beginning of the winter. Nevertheless this poor, but luckily not hungry people are so kind, hospitable and content that it opens one's heart. To continue this tradition in the changing world is important, so that the people are able to take care of themselves and nurture their culture and religion. They also require doctors, craftsmen businessmen and politicians. Still almost 90 % are illiterate. Education is the only way to confront this problem. Several Westerners therefore founded schools, because almost no help could be expected from the Indian government. Our group was lucky to visit one of the schools.140 pupils are happy to get the chance of school education, even if their parents are too poor to pay for it. 90 of them have to leave their villages, which are often far away, and are living in school for eight months of the year. The school is connected closely to “Muney monastery” and Buddhism is one of the most important subjects. The Dalai Lama blessed the school and gave it the Name “Jamyang Ling School” which means “Manjushri school”. Manjushri is the Bodhisattva who helps to cut away ignorance and who holds the Sutra of Perfect Wisdom in his hand. The pupils pray to Manjushri every morning :
Who holds to his heart a scripture text Symbolic of his seeing all things as they are. Whose intelligence shines forth as the sun Unclouded by delusions or traces of ignorance Who teaches in sixty ways, with the loving compassion. Of a father for his only son All creatures caught in the prison of Samsara Confused in the darkness of their ignorance Overwhelmed by their suffering (…)
It is so moving to see and hear them every morning praying and chanting mantras in front of the Manjushri Stupa for about half an hour! And it is also moving to experience how they learn! They know that education is a great gift. What I feel very strongly is that supporting this school will be a good part of my practice. I suggested to our Zen-group that we should participate in this project. And we are therefore appealing to everyone to participate in our support to do this. The plan is to sponsor a teacher for five years. Of course you also may sponsor a pupil or the school in general. What about you? Can you join in this kind of “Buddhist Fellowship”? If so please contact Shukun.
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International Zen Institute
of America and Europe
