Welcome! Where we areYou have just arrived at the Baltic Sea in Germany. We are an open Zen Sangha in Schleswig-Holstein, the most Northern region of Germany, located two hours north of Hamburg. We live between the North Sea in the West and the Baltic Sea in the East, not far away from the border to Denmark. Our home belongs to one of the most remote areas in Germany. The landscape is flat to slightly hilly, with vast skies and rapidly moving clouds. This region is mostly farm land with a few middle sized towns. Zen practice is rare in our area which has prehistoric roots several thousand years old. Who we are What we do Our name
Teacher OZC Sangha
Our goals and vision
Dōgen study group  Ryōkan-san When this Sangha began to form itself, the name Ryōkan started to arise. Every now and then we read the few of his poems which have been translated into German and started to become interested in his life. Later, our love for calligraphy appeared, which made him even more interesting. On the many hidden tributary streams which the Dharma takes, Eido Roshi came to us a number of years later. Through her, we feel even more connected to Ryōkan-san’s teachings and his lineage.
What can Ryōkan-san say to us here in Northern Germany, living with well filled refrigerators, warm clothing abundant, the desired only a mouse click away? What can we learn from an Asian outsider from the 18th century, from a priest in a religion into which most of us are not born, from a human being who deliberately took himself out of his social structures? We do not know. All we can say is that many of his poems instantly resonate within our hearts. Also, his way of life and his main character traits speak to us and some of them are emphasized by the land we live in. In particular: Simplicity "Leading a simple life," is mentioned as a prerequisite in Shakyamuni Buddhas and Dōgen Zenji’s last teachings for happiness and contentment. For this, we do not have to live in a grass hut in the woods. To simplify our life and to always further work on simplifying it, to set new priorities and align ourselves towards them - in this, Ryōkan-san can be a good example. Solitude Phases of solitude and retreat are of crucial importance for anyone who embarks on a spiritual path. It requires a mature personality to be able to cope solely with that which is most difficult - ourselves. For our common path growing up in this area in which we often feel utmost insecure is of crucial importance. In this regard, Ryōkan-san shares with us many of his difficulties and joys. He lets us participate in his winter days and summer evenings. We can always turn to him for comfort and advice. Creativity Ryōkan-san was an artist. Creativity is a very important aspect of our humanity, of our spirituality. Balance Ryōkan-san was often alone, and often suffered from his solitude. He was not a classical hermit. Troughout his entire life, he seems to have been careful of guarding a certain balance between solitude and sociability. Humor and the joy of living Many of his poems speak about his admiration and joy he found in nature and in the simple things around him. Many of the anecdotes about Ryōkan-san are very funny and even though they may not be the historic truth, they give us a good image about Ryōkan-san’s ability to take himself and others lightly.
Devotion and determination Ryōkan-san was a Zen monk from the bottom of his heart. He loved Zazen, Master Dōgen, Buddhist scriptures and was proud to be a Zen priest. His way of life gives proof of it. In spite of many hardships and difficulties he never doubted his initial life decision. A new page on this website is dedicated to Ryōkan-san. We are planning to add translations of his poems little by little, and hope to contribute our small share to spread his teachings. We aspire to live by the values he has modelled for us through his life and his poetry. |
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