In June, ‘eco-philosopher’ and Zen teacher David Loy will be on a tour of Europe. After an ‘eco-retreat’ in Ireland, he will also spend a weekend in Antwerp before traveling on to Germany. It will be David’s fourth time as a guest in the Zen Sangha.
On Friday evening, June 21, he will give a public lecture, open to all, in the Zen Sangha zendo of Antwerp on the Italiëlei.
On Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23, he will guide a two-day ecoworkshop there.
This weekend is part of the offerings of the Zen Peacemakers Lage Landen.
David Robert Loy is an American professor of Buddhist and comparative philosophy, author and Zen teacher. He co-founded the Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center. His most recent publication, “EcoDharma. Buddhist Perspectives on the Ecological Crisis,” was published in 2021.
LECTURE The New Bodhisattva Way.
Friday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m.
“The New Bodhisattva Way” is the title of the lecture in which David will share with us his in-depth study of the ecological crisis and Buddhism’s role in it.
Instead of asking, “How do I get out of this situation?” the bodhisattva asks, “What can I contribute to make the situation better?” Today, more than ever, we need to understand the bodhisattva path as a spiritual archetype that offers a new vision of human possibility.
David Loy finds hope for new possibilities within our many global challenges. How can we find hope and what can we do?
According to a Zen koan, where the master is asked what all awakened people do, the answer is simple: “Respond in the right way. David adds that our practice is not to transcend the world, but to be more fully in it so that we can respond appropriately.
What is there in the Buddhist tradition that can help us do this?
In this lecture, David focuses on three aspects of the Bodhisattva Path (the New Bodhisattva Path) that balance the relationship between wisdom and compassion – and lead us to right action in the world.
The lecture is in English and begins at 7:30 pm.
No need to register.
Donation 15 euros (not for participants of the weekend workshop)
Address
p/a Pax Christi (2nd floor)
Italiëlei 98a – 2000 Antwerp
WORKSHOP ECODHARMA
from Friday, June 21 to Sunday, June 23
The ecodharma workshop begins on Friday evening, June 21, at 7:30 p.m. with the lecture in the zendo (see above).
On Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23, we will start at 9 am. There will be a program of meditation, teaching, interactive work forms, togetherness, sharing and a silent walk. We will discuss our options for meditative and active participation in a renewed climate consciousness.
The workshop is in English.
At noon there is no lunch provided, but people bring their own picnic.
On Saturday, we will end the workshop day at 5:30 pm. After a short break, Niamh Barrett, a sanghalid from Dublin, will receive the Zen Peacemaker vows from Frank Roshi in a jukai ceremony. Attendance for this ceremony is optional.
On Sunday, we will wrap up the weekend at 3 pm.
Meanwhile, eco-friends from the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland and Finland did already sign up.
Participation fee 100 euros.
Zen Sangha organizes these activities with David Loy out of sympathy and does not seek financial gain. The participation fee covers travel and accommodation costs, the fee for David and a part of the organisational costs.
Address
Pax Christi (2nd floor)
Italiëlei 98a – 2000 Antwerpen
REGISTRATION
Registration for the workshop is mandatory. You can register here with the registration form, after which you will receive a confirmation by e-mail. After registration you can transfer the participation fee to the account of Zen Sangha mentioning ‘ecoweekend’ and your OWN name. Your participation is only final after we receive your payment.
Bank account Zen Sangha
IBAN number: BE81 8901 5424 8724
BIC code: VDSPBE91
Bank: VDK, Sint-Michielsplein 16, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
For more information, write to registratie@zensangha.be
Bring
Picnic for lunch on Saturday en Sunday.
Sleeping bag if you stay overnight at sanghaleden’s home.
Accommodation
Antwerp has many hotels and hostels. See booking.com
Zen Sangha offers some places to stay in the homes of sangha members in Antwerp at 10 euro per night (shower included), payable to the host family. Please make a reservation for this with us when you register for the workshop.
Ecodharma: Buddhist Teachings for the Ecological Crisis (Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications, 2019).
‘This landmark work is simultaneously a manifesto, a blueprint, a call to action, and a deep comfort for troubling times. David R. Loy masterfully lays out the principles and perspectives of Ecodharma—a Buddhist response to our ecological predicament, introducing a new term for a new development of the Buddhist tradition.’
Awarded as Best Spiritual Book of the Year” by Spirituality & Practice
