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      The Zen Society
      
Living a Zen-Inspired Life - Authentic Spirituality
                    Mindfulness Meditation - Zen Training - Retreats  

Pine Wind Zen Community

 


"In order to meet the challenges facing all of us, we will need a spirituality grounded in the human heart, rather than beliefs or ideals. One that cultivates the best in each of us, challenges us to function at the level of full self-expression, and affirms the fundamental and immeasurable value of
every living being."


- Seijaku Roshi


About Us

The Zen Society is a 501c-3 non-profit organization, located in Shamong NJ, in the Pinelands of Southern New Jersey, only 40 minutes from center city Philadelphia. 

The Zen Society offers mindfulness meditation training, education in Zen - Buddhism, and a vibrant diverse Community, offering  courses and training focused on learning how to live in our world responsibly, with kindness, benevolence, wisdom, and all victorious mastery.

Our vision focuses on the integration of practice into everyday Living a Zen-Inspired Life; living community; and Priesthood, providing an environment or context for understanding; authentic spirituality, learning, ecumenical dialog, and engagement in the transformation of global consciousness and personal responsibility for the sustainability of the natural world.


Our Teachers

 

Seijaku Roshi, is the Founder and Spiritual Director of The Zen Society, and Abbott of Jizo-an Monastery.  After a series of personal transformative insights during the early years of his life, Seijaku began teaching publicly in 1975 at the request of his friends and students. Ten years later he founded The Zen Society, a nonprofit organization (501c3 New Jersey).

"The meaning we search for in life, is in its essence - living your life at the level of excellence and full self-expression is the very essence of all life forms. The purpose of your your life is clear, to live it at the level of excellence and full self-expression and as a benefit for others. This is Nirvana, this is Enlightenment. 

My work has been to help whomever I can, to realize the utmost importance of living their life, not mine or anyone else's, in the very brief time we are all given to do so. Why is this the "utmost importance"? A tree helps us breathe, helps us stay warm and dry, helps cook our food, provides us with playful and romantic opportunities, dreams and so much more, because it lives its life as a 'tree'. It has no desire to be anything other than a tree. It lives until it dies, and when it dies, what a terrible thing for the rest of us." 

Roshi is author of the book, "Kokoro - The Heart Within" - Zen Beyond Buddhism.  Available in bookstore everywhere and on the internet as an e-book at Amazon.com, and regularly a guest speaker for Churches, Synagogues, Academic Institutions, and other Non-Profits.  He is also the creator and founder of "Pathway to Freedom", a powerful two day event designed to help the individual re-discover themselves and the meaning for their lives.

With a mastery born of more than 35 years of teaching, Seijaku Roshi is one of today's most preeminent spiritual teachers and pioneers in the field of human potential and authentic spirituality for the 21st Century.

* Teaching "The Dharma Beyond Buddhism", Seijaku Roshi claims to hold no particular lineage and shares no formal affiliation with other Zen groups, denominations, or any hierarchy of Dharma Successors.



Rev. Mutsumiko Mary Schlembach,
has been a member of The Zen Society since 1992, and was ordained by Seijaku Roshi in 1999.  She has served in various principal positions over the years including, Attendant to The Roshi (Inji), Student Guardian (Jisha), and presently as President of the Board of Trustees.

Mutsumiko is one of the principal founders of Jizo-an Monastery in Cinnaminson, NJ and later Pine Wind Zen Center in Shamong NJ.

 

 



Rev. Emyo Richard Bizub, has been a member of The Zen Society since 2006, and was ordained by Seijaku Roshi in 2011.  He serves as Training Master (Tanto), and teaches regular meditation classes and Dharma Teachings.

Emyo is also the Director for Water Programs for the Pinelands Preservation Alliance in New Jersey.

 

 


 

Chikyo David Sides, has been a member of The Zen Society since 2007.  He received the Brown Robe in 2008 and has served as Zomu and the Jiki Jitsu.

He presently is a member of the Board of Trustees.


 


 

The Zen Society 2004 © All rights reserved

 

 

Upcoming Events and Programs

 
Public Calendar

1000 Words
(Photo Gallery)
Zen Life Counseling
Wednesday Evening Meditation
Zen Chat

Religious Ceremonies
Weddings
Funerals
Memorials
Blessings

Zen-Buddhist Teachings
Zen-Buddhist F.A.Q
Zen Practice

Pine Wind Zen Community
863 McKendimen Road
Shamong, NJ  08088

609.268.9151

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