Encountering the Sixth Ancestor in The Platform Sutra: An Invitation for Paid Subscribers
You are invited to join us this fall as we resume our study of The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Ancestor, the teaching of a towering and revolutionary dharma genius, the Chinese ancestor Dajian Huineng (Great Mirror Insight Genius).
This text is regarded as essential in both the Soto and Rinzai lineages of Zen, and the study period is open to all paid subscribers. If, after reviewing the course description, you find yourself interested but are not a paid subscriber, you can become one now by clicking the link below or the subscribe button to the right. Once you become a paid subscriber – or, if you already are a paid subscriber – send us a message expressing your interest plus a bit about your background with Zen practice and study via the link at the bottom of the post.
Note: For those interested in joining the Vine of Obstacles Zen training group, this is a good place to start.
It is not necessary to have participated in the previous course on The Platform Sutra to participate in this course. The Sixth Ancestor's teaching is fully present in each of his encounters.
When
Sunday, November 3, 2024 – Thursday, December 12 (six weeks/five Sundays), including optional online retreats on Sunday, November 3 and Sunday, December 8 (retreats are not included in the course fee). No session on Sunday, Dec 1.
Where
Wherever you are, online here on Ghost, and via Zoom.
What
We'll study The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Ancestor, Chapter Seven: Encounters, using the translation by John R. McRae.
Those registered for the course will receive invitations to five group practice sessions that include dharma talks given by Vine teachers, Tetsugan Sensei and Dosho Roshi. These sessions will be offered from 10:45 to 11:45am CT on Sunday, November 3 and December 8, and from 10:00 to 11:15am CT on Sunday, November 10, 17, and 24. Recordings will also be available.
Participants will be invited to respond to reflection questions for each week of the course, and to raise questions about the text.
Zazen sessions with Vine teachers and students will also be open to those in the course. Morning meditation is offered Monday through Thursday, from 6:00 to 7:00am CT, along with chosan (brief morning meetings that involve dialogue with the teachers) on Thursdays mornings following zazen (chosan ends by 7:20am CT).
Finally, participants in the course can request an individual practice meeting with one of the Vine teachers during the six-week study period.
Note: this version of the course is for those who are not current Vine students.
Register for the course
Registration deadline: 5:00pm CT on Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Tuition: $130 (this is a one-time payment, in addition to the monthly Ghost subscription fee).
The text
We will use The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch, translated by John R. McRae, supplemented with Dosho Roshi's original translations. Paper copies of the text are available at Amazon, and a free PDF can be found here:
To enroll and for questions
Contact us here.
More about Vine of Obstacles Zen here:
And here: