Community life in the spirit of Zen

SHARING

What a beautiful word!
Generosity is the first of the Buddhist virtues: Dāna Pāramitā.
Developing brotherhood and altruism, kindness and selflessness — these are the qualities to nurture today, for the benefit of all beings.
Selfishness and “every person for themselves” make no sense — and above all, have no future.

With eight billion human beings on Earth, we will either live all together… or not at all.

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SHARING AND SIMPLICITY

Pooling our spiritual energies and material goods—that is the essence of sharing.
Together, we are stronger, more determined, and above all, braver.

The more we reduce our expenses, the less income we need.
What’s the point of spending our days working just to cover basic needs: rent, food, heating?

Sharing means reducing.
It means saving on all levels—money, time, energy—and, most importantly, giving new meaning and direction to our lives.

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LIVING IN A COMMUNITY

Many dream of it, but too many dreams are shattered by the details of everyday life.
In a Zen temple, daily life is the heart of the community: it is its structure, its foundation, and its driving force.

Why live together?
To realize ourselves spiritually and to express what is most just and humane within us.

And this requires attention to the simplest things.
How many communities have collapsed because of dirty toilets or dishes left unwashed?

Community life demands clear rules and constant mindfulness.
Because harmony depends on the smallest details… and on a conscious presence in everything we do.

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WHY A ZEN COMMUNITY?

A Zen temple is a place of learning and practicing the teachings of the Buddha: an awakened awareness and presence in every moment, from dawn to dusk, in all our actions and situations.

Whether during zazen — Zen meditation — ceremonies, meals, samu — tasks performed for the community — or even times of study and rest, we cultivate this altruistic and compassionate awareness that gives meaning to our presence.

All the teachings and education of Zen point in this direction: developing wisdom, understanding who we truly are, and offering this understanding in service to all beings.

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The intellectual and rational dimension is important, of course — but it is not enough.
We understand many things, yet we struggle so much to embody them. This is perhaps one of the clearest paradoxes of our time.

The practice of Zen is about making sure that what we understand is what we live.
It is the union of action and ideal.

“The most insignificant gesture is the final moment of our life,” says a Zen proverb.

HOW TO DO IT?

The Ryumonji Temple offers various options to integrate community life in the spirit of Zen:

1. Retreat of a few days up to two weeks
   A first immersion into the life of a Zen monastery. An opportunity to discover if this path resonates with your expectations and aspirations.
2. Retreat of 2, 3, or 4 weeks
   A more complete experience for those who wish to adapt to the rhythm of the temple and fully engage in collective life and daily practice.
3. Commitment of 3, 6 months, a year or more
   To fully invest in the community. A longer retreat allows for a deep integration of the spirit of Zen in every aspect of daily life.
   A preliminary interview is required for longer stays to ensure this approach meets the needs and expectations of each individual.

LIVING TOGETHER, SHARED PRACTICE

Each retreat includes participation in meditation (zazen), ceremonies, samu (shared tasks), as well as the collective life of the temple.
It is through this shared practice that the harmony of a community is born.

For more information or to organise a retreat, contact us at info@meditation-zen.org