TRANSITION TO SAIKENJI ATHENS

Dear practitioners and members of Zen Center Athens,

We want to inform you that as of Sunday, 15th of December, the Center will be operating permanently at the Saikenji Athens Temple, 76 – 80 Agisilaou Street, Athens.

Below you will find all the information about:

• The zazen programs that will be conducted during December.
• The new enriched yoga program and the schedule during the holiday season.
• General operating instructions for the new Center.

ZAZEN

Rohatsu Sesshin @ Saikenji Japan, December 1 – 5

From December 1 to 5, seventeen members from our Sangha travelled to Japan, visited the Saikenji Temple of Master Koten Roshi and participated in the Rohatsu Sesshin.

Zen Day @ Saikenji Athens, Sunday, 15th of December

During Zen Day we practice six sittings with Kinhin in between (meditative walking). We also attend the Dharma Talk with Koten Roshi or participate in a discussion among the practitioners and eat together at the Zendo in silence. Please bring your lunch as there is currently no possibility to prepare it at the Center.

Please be reminded that Zen Day is a form of intensive practice and you must have experience to participate.

Please let us know about your participation by sending an email to: [email protected]

From Monday, 16th of December the daily zazen schedule is as follows:

Morning zazen: Monday – Sunday, 8:20 – 9:05
Evening zazen: Monday – Sunday, 20:20 – 21:05

The zazen schedule will remain the same during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday seasons.

Introduction to Zen, Tuesday 17 of December, 19:30 – 21:00

During the introduction, the teacher will discuss the genealogy, the philosophy and how the exercise is conducted. You can then join the 40-minute sitting that will follow, after which there will be time for questions and discussion among the practitioners. Due to limited space, please let us know you are attending by emailing us at: [email protected]

As of the new year, Introduction to Zen is returning to its old schedule (first Tuesday of every month). The upcoming dates will be announced.

YOGA

Morning classes

Hatha Yoga: Wednesday and Friday, 9:30 – 11:00

Afternoon and evening classes

Yoga Nidra: Tuesday & Thursday, 17:15 – 18:15
Hatha Yoga: Tuesday & Thursday 18:30 – 20:00
Nada Yoga (Yoga of Sound): Friday, 18:30 – 20:30

Please note that the dress code for the yoga classes is black trousers (not tights) and a white blouse and it is necessary to be followed by everyone.

In preparation for the Holidays, the yoga classes will conclude on Friday, December 20 and will begin again on Thursday, January 2.

AIKIDO & IAIDO

The Aikido and Iaido training cannot take place at Saikenji Athens for the time being, and will continue to be held at the venues we have announced. You will be kept informed of any changes.

IMPORTANT UPDATE ON THE CENTER’S OPERATION

For security reasons, the door of the Center will remain locked during the practices. For this reason, you should be on site at least 10 minutes before the start of each practice.

Thank you and we look forward to welcoming you at Saikenji Athens.