Main Course B
Main Course B brings together students from diverse walks of life, cultural and educational backgrounds. Each semester comprises 20 sessions of 2 to 4 hours of weekly meditation (Sanzen-kai) within Mahayana Buddhism and the Soto Zen approach to Buddhist discipline. Its scope of study is larger than that of Main Course A with teaching being more explicit, detailed and performance oriented.
​​Scope
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Main Course B curriculum covers four broad subjects:
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Sanzen-kai practices
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Mahayana Perspectives
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In-Ryo roles
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Individual Attendance Plan & Log
Schedule
Sunday Sanzen-kai [B1]
9:50 am Zendo ready [Orientation 20 mins]
9:55 am Robe chant
10:00 am Kinhin walking
10:10 am Zazen sitting
10:50 am Kinhin walking
11:00 am Tea Ceremony
11:10 am Chanting service
11:20 am Dharma talk
12:00 pm Community luch
12:40 pm Clean-up Samu
1:00 pm Doors close
Thursday Sanzen-kai [B2]
6:20 pm Zendo ready
6:30 pm Zazen
6:50 pm Kinhin
7:00 pm Zazen
7:40 pm Kinhin
7:50 pm Tea Ceremony
8:00 pm Lineage Service
8:20 pm Reading
8:40 pm Instruction
9:00 pm End
As Professor Kogen Mizuno says in his book, Basic Buddhist Concepts (page 45):​
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Since all things change from instant to instant, life is an accumulation of momentary actions and happenings. Each of these moments must be fulfilled, not with carpe diem hedonism but with a provident realization of the individual’s full potential.
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Participants are encouraged also to attend A-classes and Zen retreats selectively during their enrolment and to take up an independent study, a short to medium term project of 3 to 6 months. In order to complete their Main Course B work, students can submit a paper on a subject of their ryo training and ryo roles within Sanzen-kai and Retreat curriculum or a topic of their choice.
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Curriculum
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A semester credit (20 sessions) is 6 units, 60 hours. A student may enrol by semester or year.
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All sessions are conducted in “hybrid” mode – in-person zendo practice and online.
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Venues
Sunday Sanzen-kai [B1] – St Pius X Catholic Church, 419 Waterdale Road,Heidelberg West
Thursday Sanzen-kai [B2] – Quang Ming Buddhist Temple, Braybrook
For more information, contact Brett Hope for Course B enquiry, ph 0433 859 339, email B-course@jikishoan.org.au