[Click to read the first European Sangha Convention Report]

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Listening to the voice of the Sangha

—  KWAN UM SCHOOL OF ZEN WILL HOST THE  —

1st European Sangha Convention

— View 100 survey results —

— Sangha Weekend Plan —

Saturday:

• Meeting of Members/MoM (~1,5h) – administrative part
• Sangha Convention (~3h) – vision part
• Evening Music LIVE

and
Dharma Puzzle – Community building game (1h)
We will work in teams to find out how various buddhas, bodhisattvas and Dharma protectors
can fit together

Sunday: Precepts Ceremony  – APPLY

— What is the Sangha Convention? —

Sangha Convention is YOU! For the first time, members of our European Zen Centers and Groups are empowered to share their diverse experiences and insights, discuss their ideas and concerns about our Sangha. They will vote for positive changes that could help our School adapt to contemporary culture while keeping its core tradition, so we can better help this fast-changing world. The results of this convention will be presented to the European Teachers Group, who will consider them in their decisions.

[Read about it in our bylaws]

— Who should come? —

Each Center and Group is requested to delegate two deputies to the convention. One of your delegates can be also your representative during MoM. Also all Senior and Bodhisattva Dharma Teachers of the KUSZEu and all Guiding Teachers are invited to join. The latter have no right to vote in this assembly.

— Why you? —

This is the way how you can use your perceptions, ideas, and concerns for the benefit of the whole KUSZ community. Because you may have something important to say and you’ve been thinking about the correct situation to do so.

— When? —

September 8-9, 2018 after a short Meeting of the Members (MoM) in Wu Bong Sa. Save the date now, because SC can happen only once every 3-5 years.

— What will be discussed? —

What did you want to express for a long time? What is important and interesting for you? One of the topics submitted to SC by MoM 2017 is Millenial Report, which deals with the challenges of young generation within the Dharma regarding “diversity, education, religion, values, health, environmentalism, social justice, and technology”.  What are your recommendations for a wide, open and alive Dharma and Sangha? We will discuss

— SC survey results —

We grouped your email suggestions into four topics explored by the survey:
(1) Zen practice for beginners
(2) New forms of together action
(3) More education
(4) Empowerment of members

Your answers will become a foundation for Sangha Convention 2018 recommendations that will be presented to the European Teachers Group for further evaluation. 

Join our  FOUR TOPICS TEAMS! Fun is guaranteed and don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to make a difference for you and others: comms@kwanumeurope.org.

Building Dialogue within the Sangha

Most KUSZ together action is organized in such a way that we can practice without thinking. Our forms guide most possible actions in the Dharma room. It removes the pressure to think and discuss so as to figure out what to do next. That simplifies our practice so we can intensely sustain Don’t Know over long periods.

Discussion backed by thoughtful reflection is vital to running our communities. Don’t Know should underlie all practice, even discussion. Priority was given to silent practice in the Dharma Room.  That is wonderful. On the other hand, we also need to take enough time to deepen our mutual understanding and discuss new ideas.

A first step toward any possible new activity is to set up a Sangha discussion. The Sangha Convention does this on a grand scale of the European Sangha. In the future we will continue in this direction to make sure that our Sangha life and practice reflect the vision of Zen Master Seung Sahn and the goals, aspirations, and challenges of the surrounding society.

The Council | European Office