Sesshin in Switzerland with Eido Shimano Shut down

By Adam Fisher
Buddhist Channel
September 12, 2014

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=3,12014,0,0,1,0#.VBSQo_l_uSr


A Zen sesshin/retreat in progress at a Jesuit center in Switzerland has been halted after the Jesuits found out it would be hosted by Eido Tai Shimano.

Below is an excerpt of a letter from the director of the LaSalle-Haus describing what happened.

The retreat of Eido Shimano was not part of our program. The European Rinzai Sangha had rented our guest house and our staff was not informed about the coming of Eido Shimano.

Being a catholic retreat centre we have very strict rules regarding misconduct.

After having been informed of Eido Shimanos coming to our center and being aware of the fact that he is a controversial figure regarding issues of misconduct, I informed him personally, that he had to leave our center which he did a day after the sesshin had started.

Yours

Tobias Karcher

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About Sesshin Training

Sesshin, which means "to touch the essence" in Japanese, is Shinnyo-en's meditative training to help each individual nurture their buddha nature.

There are two types of sesshin in Shinnyo-en. One is "structured" (uso) sesshin, which consists of brief, face-to-face guidance between specially trained spiritual guides and members. This kind of training is given only at a Shinnyo-en temple and helps members to understand themselves in light of Buddhist concepts.

Then, that insight is to be applied and consciously taken further in daily life outside the temple through reflection on everyday circumstances. This outside effort is called "unstructured" (muso) sesshin. The Zen tradition also has a meditative method called sesshin. Although its aim is similar, its form is different in Shinnyo-en.