​Canberra Soto Zen Group

Aims and Objectives

 

Aims

 

1. To practice the Way in the Soto Zen tradition in accordance with the teachings of Zen Master Dogen Zenji as taught by Zen Master Ekai Korematsu Osho, Teacher and Abbott of Jikishoan Zen Buddhist Community(JZBC)

 

2. To provide an environment for and support to those in the Canberra region community who have an interest in the Soto Zen tradition and more generally in Buddhism.

 

3. To maintain a link with Zen Master Ekai Korematsu Osho, and encourage members of CSZG and interested individuals to

• Attend retreats, workshops, lectures and relevant studies

• Become members of JZBC (this provides a direct link to the Teacher) or

• Be supportive of its aims:

i) To promote the teachings, practice and realisation of Shakyamuni Buddha in Canberra and surrounding areas for the alleviation of pain and suffering and the peace of all.

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ii) To encourage the teachings, methods and practice of all the Buddhas, ancestors and

Patriarchs associated with the Zen Schools of the Mahayana tradition.

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iii) To promote, encourage, develop and assist the study and practice of Zen Buddhism in

Canberra with special emphasis on the teachings and methods of Eihei Dogen Zenji, the

founder of the Soto Zen School in Japan.

 

 

Objectives

 

i) To practice Zen meditation as a group, sharing a common interest in the Soto Zen tradition. As far as possible, do this under the guidance of a teacher certified in the Soto Zen Buddhist tradition (i.e. who is qualified to be the abbot or head priest for the community).  

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ii) To invite teachers from the same or other traditions to participate in CSZG’s practice program and other community activities in order to promote greater awareness and understanding of Buddhism.

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iii) To conduct the practice within a structure based upon Dogen Zenji’s pure standard for Zen communities and upon other Soto Zen Buddhist guidelines, adapting them where necessary to meet local cultural requirements.

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iv) To conduct Zen Buddhist ceremonies, social functions and fund raising activities to support CSZG’s members and to further CSZG’s aims and objectives.

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v) To plan, acquire, provide, maintain and dispose of property, facilities, ceremonial instruments and practice-related items as necessary to meet the requirements of practice programs and other community activities.

 

vi) To manage the operations through:

- a Committee composed of: a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and an ordinary member.  

- keeping records of decisions and financial transactions records sufficient to report to all members as required  

- holding meetings of members as and when required, to ensure accountability and input to decision making