BECOMING A STUDENT @ One River Zen
Formal Zen Studies at One River Zen is an opportunity to deepen your practice, connect with your true nature, and find your life’s calling.
Students practice under the special guidance of a Zen Teacher (Sensei). This has been the traditional path for seekers of the Way for more than 1,500 years. This teacher-student relationship is the foundation of a transformational Zen practice.
Through mutual dedication, study, and work, we break free of the delusive chains that bind us and begin to live openly and with skill - forging a path of awakening for all suffering sentient beings.
Establish a Meditation Practice
Prospective students begin the path by showing up online or in-person and practicing with the community.
Dokusan - or interviews with a Zen Teacher - are available during meditation periods or by scheduling time online. You can meet Sensei, ask questions, and begin establishing a comfort level with the practice.
Join the Community
Students enter into a deep relationship with the Sangha - the community of practitioners.
Zen practice is nurtured in the womb of the community, a special place where we support each other in awakening. Students make a difference by volunteering their efforts online or in-person and materially sustaining the sangha by becoming members.Whether you are (Student, Benefactor, or Patron members can all do Zen Studies with Sensei)
Request Shoken
Teacher and Student commit to practicing and training together
Shoken is the new student ceremony which takes place in dokusan between the student and teacher. Dokusan is private instruction with Sensei conducted privately during meditation or online.
Shoken is a brief ceremony that memorializes the wish on the part of the student to work with Sensei directly to deepen their Zen practice. This may mean the beginning of koan practice or precept study.
If you are interested in Shoken, make the request in dokusan.
Take Jukai
The student takes refuge in the Practice, Teachings, and Community and sets an intention to live skillfully
Jukai literally means to receive (ju) the precepts (kai). These precepts are not “prescriptive” like commandments. Rather, they are a gateway into observing our actions skillfully. When a student takes jukai, they are making a commitment to bear witness directly to their lived experience, to drop away judgments, and to manifest wisdom.
Elevate Your Practice-Journey
Student and Teacher move forward, engaging with life and training together as the student’s Path emerges…
As the training unfolds, our life-path becomes clearer: some engage life as Priests, Teachers, or Chaplains - some as Artists, Writers, or Parents.
Wherever your journey takes you, your practice empowers you to embrace life’s opportunities with confidence, skill, and compassion.
“My practice as a Zen student has changed my life! The people here are supportive, kind, and it's an amazing community to be a part of. ❤️ forever grateful.”
-Michelle
Questions?
Want to learn more about becoming a student? Feel free to schedule some time with Sensei Michael Brunner, Founder of One River Zen.
Sensei is a Zen Buddhist Teacher & Priest who has been practicing for over fifteen years and can answer all of your questions about becoming a student and help you get started…