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Group Practice Discussion “Actualizing Zen Vows in the World”
January 31 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Following the Precepts series, Victoria Austin will lead a practice discussion with the theme “Actualizing Zen Vows in the World”.
Actualizing Zen Vows in the World
The Bodhisattva Precepts can be studied at the level of ultimate truth, relative truth, and skill in action. Keizan Zenji, co-founder of Sōtō Zen in Japan, held work practice as of such high priority in the study of skillful means that he read the descriptions of the main training roles to the community at the beginning of every month. Not only did he emphasize mutual accountability of each position to every other and to the sangha as a whole, but he also taught accountability from the sangha towards each role. To him, mutual accountability made the difference between the precepts as an idea and the precepts as transformative practice in the world.
How do we translate his teachings of 900 years ago for our needs in the present day? In this group practice discussion, we will expand our understanding of the precepts using Keizan Zenji’s model to examine our application of the precepts to issues in our work and home life.
Participants of a wide variety of work experience and levels of commitment to Buddhist practice are welcome.
Shōsan Victoria Austin’s original work training was in architecture and urban planning, with a minor in East Asian Studies. She has held many work roles in San Francisco Zen Center, including in SFZC’s early businesses, the Accounting Office, Work Leader, Corporate Secretary, Tenzo, Director, Abbots’ Assistant, Tanto, President, and Outreach Director. Since the 2000s she has been exploring how to write practice-based job descriptions to explore community, intimacy and interconnection in people’s roles in the outer world, as well as in the cloistered world of temple life.
Victoria Austin is a Dharma heir in Shunryu Suzuki Roshi’s Soto Zen lineage and former President of San Francisco Zen Center, where she has held senior roles including Tanto and Tenzo.Since beginning practice in 1971, she has become a Senior Intermediate Iyengar yoga teacher (certified 1988), teacher educator, and assessor, teaching both traditions in ways that make them accessible across diverse settings and abilities.
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