Saturday, October 5th at 10:15am
What is zazen good for?
Zazen, seated meditation, is the fundamental practice of Soto Zen. “Homeless” Kodo, a charismatic and nonconformist Japanese Zen teacher, famously said throughout his life that “Zazen is good for nothing!” Yet, it is clear that meditation has benefits of many kinds, and we are often told that we sit with and for all beings, saving all beings. So how are we to understand Sawaki Kodo’s teaching? This talk by Visiting Teacher Rev. Choro Antonaccio will explore good for nothing zazen and suggest how to come to grips with devoting ourselves to practice that, we are taught, gains us nothing.
About Rev. Choro Carla Antonaccio: Rev. Choro is a Soto Zen Buddhist priest ordained in the lineage of Suzuki Roshi by her teacher, Josho Pat Phelan Roshi. She began formal practice in 1999 at Chapel Hill Zen Center where she has been a resident practitioner since 2005. Rev. Choro has trained at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, San Francisco Zen Center City Center, and Green Gulch Farm. She was Shuso for the Chapel Hill Zen Center community in 2016 and has served as Tenzo, Work Leader and Ino in Chapel Hill. In 2018, after 30 years of teaching and fieldwork, Choro stepped back from her academic career as an archaeologist. She is married and currently lives on temple property as a resident priest. Choro and her priest husband Bunkai are hoping to relocate to Austin this fall and become members and supporters of our growing community!
All are welcome to join our Saturday Program:
8:00 am Beginner’s Instruction (Zendo) -or- Informal Zazen (classroom)
9:15 am Zazen
9:50 am Chanting Service
10:15 am Dharma Talk by Rev. Choro
11:15 am Tea & Cookies