• Small classes, flexible scheduling

• No previous knowledge or experience assumed

• Practical instruction in sitting meditation, chanting and mantra practice

• Background on the history and philosophy of Zen Buddhism

• Course texts: Principles of Zen by Martine Batchelor, and Dropping Ashes on the Buddha by Seung Sahn Sunim

• Intended audience: anyone interested in beginning a daily meditation practice with the support of a spiritual community and a teacher

Currentlly Scheduled Classes - through November, 2006

Saturday classes: Noon to 2 pm
(except for Class Four)
Tuesday & Wednesday classes: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Sunday Classes: 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Class One
Saturday August 19
Wednesday August 23
Saturday August 26
Sunday September 3
Class Two
Wednesday August 30
Saturday September 2
Tuesday September 12
Class Three
Saturday September 9
Wednesday September 20
Saturday September 23
Class Four
(10:00 am - 5:30 pm) Saturday September 30
Saturday November 18
The first three classes can be offered, by arrangement, on the following dates in October if there is interest:
Saturday October 14
Tuesday October 17
Saturday October 21
Sunday October 22
Saturday October 28
Classes will resume in 2007 for new students as well as for those who have not yet completed the series.

• Main page
• Join the "Principles of Zen" Yahoo group
• On-line resources related to the oxherding pictures
• Website for Dae Do Sah
• Registration and course fees

Class One Looking for the ox
• The basics of meditation:
     Quieting the body & the mind
     Correct posture
     Attention & mindfulness
• Creating personal sacred space
• Overview of Mahayana Buddhism
• Kwan Se Um Bosal chanting and the Four Great Vows
prerequisites:
no formal prerequisites other than the intention to begin a daily meditation practice

Class Two Seeing the footprints
• The mind and meditation:
     Looking at the mind, just as it is
     Sitting with boredom & agitation
     The importance of daily practice
• Chanting meditation
• Working with mantras
• What is Karma?
prerequisites:
(1) completion of the the first class
(2) regular meditation practice for at least one week
(3) attendance at one weekly meditation group (4) assigned reading from Class One

Class Three Catching sight
• The balance of calmness and insight (samadhi and prajna)
• Why you should not try to become an expert in meditation
• What is enlightenment?
• Great Dharani chanting
prerequisites:
(1) completion of second class
(2) regular meditation practice for at least two weeks
(3) attendance at two weekly meditation groups
(4) assigned reading from Classes One and Two

Class Four Getting hold of the ox
This class will consist mostly of meditation practice - it will last from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm on a Saturday, coinciding with an all-day meditation retreat. All participants will have one-on-one "dokusan" with Myo Shin Osho.
• Great Faith, Great Doubt and Great Perseverance
• Working with Koans
• Yebul chanting
prerequisites:
(1) completion of third class
(2) regular meditation practice for four weeks
(3) attendance at four weekly meditation groups
(4) assigned reading from previous classes