SOTOZEN-NET > Soto Zen Temples > Organization and temples outside Japan > Zen Center Schönböken Mokushôzan Jakkôji
The Zen Center Schönböken Jakkôji is the main venue of the German Zen Association. At this location Zen-sesshins (intensive training periods of Zen practise) take place under the guidance of Zen master L. Tenryû Tenbreul. In addition, the Zen center is open for people interested in practicing Zazen on a regular basis or participating in other Zen activities.
The Zen center is located in an old and formerly aristocratic manor which is more than one hundred and fifty years old. This facility consists of a neo-gothic mansion and a brick-lined gate lodge with a bell tower. The entire premises has a floor space of nearly five hectare (a huge park formerly designed as an English garden with ponds, bridges and many old trees).
In 1805 the manor Schönböken Jakkôji was founded by a wealthy townsman from Hamburg. During its history of nearly 200 years the manor met with a lot of changes. In 1989 its fate changed again and it became the home of the authentically transmitted practice of Zen.
The location (near Neumünster/Plön in Schleswig-Holstein), marginal to the small village Schönböken Jakkôji near the lake district "Schleswig-Holsteinische Seenplatte" is very charming and quiet – an ideal place for Zen-practice.
In Schönböken Jakkôji, mainly Zen sesshins are held (beginners will be inducted); sesshin dates are published in the annual programme. In addition, the Zen center is open for people interested in practicing Zazen on a regular basis or participating in other Zen activities.
The Zen Association Germany (Incorporated Society) was founded in 1983 to allow members and other persons interested in Zen to practise and immerse themselves in the path of Zen. This practice of Zen is in accordance with the tradition of Dôgen-Zenjis teachings of Sôtô-Zen, which were taken to Europe by Master Deshimaru and are now transmitted by the authentic and confirmed Zen master L. Tenryû Tenbreul.
The function of the Zen Association is to support and coordinate the work of the individual Zen dôjôs and Zen groups, to organize sesshins and lectures, and to provide information an all activities of the Zen community. In its publications “Zen-Informationen” and “Ishin-Denshin”-booklets e.g., current and traditional Zen texts are published as well as the annual programme, addresses and reports about sesshins, lectures and travels.
In addition the Zen Association operates the Zen center Schönböken Jakkôji.
The Zen dôjôs und Zen groups of the Association offer the opportunity to practice Zen under guidance together with other people on a daily basis.
Getting up at 5:30 a.m. • about 6 or 7 hours of Zazen-practice per day (during preparation time of the Ango / summer-sesshin about 3 or 4 hours) • lectures and verbal teachings • having meals at the dojo in the Zazen-posture (usually only breakfast and lunch) • Samu, these are chores for some hours of the day, for example in the garden or in the park, in the kitchen, at building sites as well as the cleaning of rooms.
Click on the national flags on the map, or on those at the left, to zoom to each country and see a list of its temples.
