You have probably heard of the passing of Thich Nhat Hahn. He was a Buddhist monk, peace activist, prolific author, poet, teacher, and founder of the Plum Village Tradition, historically recognized as the main inspiration for engaged Buddhism. There are many quotes from him over the years that have resonated with me. Today in a newsletter from the director of the film “Walk With Me” – Marc J Francis, came these quotes that I would like to share with you: […]
Category Archives: News
Beginnings Are Endings – Endings are Beginnings
As 2021 comes to a close, another year is etched into the storehouse of consciousness. The storehouse consciousness is where we keep all impressions as seeds of the physical and mental experience. The storehouse consciousness is said to store the impressions of previous experiences, which form the seeds of future karma in this life and the next. How do we transform our consciousness to live fully as human beings, to be fully awakened and realize our potential for wisdom and […]
This Is Zen – An all-day retreat
Saturday, October 2, 2021. The Retreat will be on Zoom and in person at our Zendo for fully vaccinated individuals. 6:50 am to 7:30 am – Our day starts with Meditation Practice on Siesta Key Beach (weather permitting). Directions: We will meet Northeast of the last lifeguard tower furthest north of the pavilion. Park in the North Lot. 9:00 am to 5:00 pm – We begin our retreat with an opening ceremony, chanting the Heart Sutra, and a 30-minute meditation, followed by an introductory […]
Important News – Our Zendo Is Open
Ordinary Zen Sangha has reopened. Based on recent studies, according to the C.D.C., it will be safe for those of us who have been fully vaccinated. I am inviting Sangha members to join me for all of our activities in person at our Zendo, the Wednesday Evening Practice Session, Sunday Morning Practice Session, and our upcoming Retreat. Newcomers are always welcome. Zoom sessions and podcasts of the Dharma Talks will continue. Please check the calendar for updates or cancellations before […]
Ordinary Zen Sangha is mentioned in Talk KOREA Article
We are mentioned in an article about Won Kwang Sa Zen Temple (Korean: 원광사, English: Original Light Zen Temple) a Korean traditional Zen temple and monastery located near Fárikút in a valley near Esztergom, Hungary. The only architecturally traditional Korean temple in Europe/ 10 years anniversary of the Zen Hall https://www.korea.net/TalkTalkKorea/English/community/community/CMN0000004722
Campaign Nonviolence Conference events August 6-8, 2020
Hi Will: This is the national Conference that we organized, I was very involved in the organizing. As you will see I am teaching on Friday and presenting on Saturday. I would like to extend an invitation to all members of the Sangha. To participate for free you just need to enter the code: CNVFRIEND2020. Would you kindly pass on? Thanks, Veronica Pelicaric https://paceebene.salsalabs.org/saturdayeblast-8-1-20?wvpId=4e804234-829e-4092-863f-ad0e8e6784be
Dharma Talk Videos
Dharma Talk videos on YouTube are from our practice sessions. Zen Master Chong An Sunim visited OZS several times.
In a time of great change, what now?
My mission in founding OZS some 5 years ago was to provide a supportive environment in which we can directly experience the essential wisdom teachings of the Buddha through the timeless, ageless practice of what is called Zen, Chan, or Seon. Ordinary Zen Sangha (OZS) has been committed to bringing the benefits of this wisdom practice into our ordinary lives, just as they are, in this place and time. In our current situation, a time in which the whole world […]
COVID-19 response update for OZS practice sessions
All OZS sessions at our Sarasota Zendo on Fruitville Road are canceled till May 1, 2020. With COVID-19 active on our continent and locally, as a precaution, I have canceled Wednesday evening and Sunday morning meditation sessions at our Zendo, effective immediately for the rest of March. As we navigate through this health concern, the most important thing is for everyone to take care of each other. If we work together as a community to slow the transmission, our health […]
COVID-19 response at OZS
“When the crowded Vietnamese refugee boats met with storms or pirates, if everyone panicked, all would be lost. But if even one person on the boat remained calm and centered, it was enough. It showed the way for everyone to survive.” –Thich Nhat Hanh OZS is monitoring the COVID-19 situation as it unfolds and currently remains open for practice on Wednesday evening and Sunday morning. We are promoting handwashing and sanitation, as well as bowing as greeting in lieu of […]