Attend an Open House
When you are ready to get started, try Zen meditation at UVic! Everyone is welcome, and there is no cost. Please arrive fifteen to twenty minutes early for instruction on your first visit.
Zen Training
The Victoria Zen Centre offers many avenues for training. Formal Zen training includes our Tuesday Zen Open House, Sunday sessions, and all intensive retreats. Periods of sitting are twenty-five minutes in length, punctuated by five-minute periods of walking practice. Sitting, walking, chanting, ritual Zen meals, care-taking practice, and one-on-one meetings with Ven. Eshu create a dynamic matrix of practice through which we may begin to realize the vastness our True potential.
*Orientation by way of consultation or Orientation to Zen Buddhist Practice is a prerequisite for Formal Zen training at the Sooke Zendo.
Sunday Zen Practice
Regular Sunday Zen Practice is held at the Sooke zendo most Sundays (see our schedule). Sunday practice runs from 9:00 am till noon. Sunday sits include tea, chanting, sitting meditation, walking meditation, a Dharma talk, and interview with Ven. Eshu.
Training Meetings
Maintaining Formal Zen training while leading a busy life with a family and career can be difficult. If you aren't able to make it to the Zendo as often as you would like, one way of supporting your daily home practice is to schedule Training Meetings with Ven. Eshu. This is an opportunity to investigate your practice in an intimate one-on-one environment with our resident monk.
Non-Residential Training Period
From January 16 - April 17, 2012 The Victoria Zen Centre offers our members and associates a Non-Residential Training Period. I’d like to invite you to take part!
Monthly One Day Intensives
The schedule for our silent one-day intensive runs from 6am to 5pm, and includes sitting, walking, chanting, meal practice, and a period of care taking. Ven. Eshu gives a Zen talk during the mid-morning sitting, and conducts one-on-one meetings with each student.
Five Day Intensives
Our longer intensives on Saturna Island feature an extended schedule, which runs from 4am to 9pm. These silent retreats include sitting, walking, chanting, meal practice, and a period of care taking. Ven. Eshu gives a Zen talk each day, and meets with each student privately twice each day.
Eldership Programme
For those who wish to develop further in practice at the Victoria Zen Centre, we offer the Eldership Programme. To qualify for this year long focused programme of practice and study, a candidate must maintain membership in good standing with the Victoria Zen Centre for a minimum period of one year, and complete a minimum of two five-day intensives with Eshu. For more information on the Eldership Programme, please contact the Centre.
Private Instruction
Ven. Eshu is available for private instruction by appointment. Please contact Ven. Eshu to make arrangements
Visitors
If you are visiting Victoria and are affiliated with an established centre, please contact the Victoria Zen Centre if you would like to join us for practice.
Schedule of Fees, Services and Practice Opportunities
The Victoria Zen Centre offers a wide variety of practice opportunities. Below is a schedule of all of our services, and the fees for the various levels of membership and association with the centre.