Thousand Harbours Zen in Halifax, Nova Scotia will make history this weekend with some first-of-their-kind — for Canada— ceremonies. The community, headed up by Soto Zen priest and former Buddhadharma editor Koun Franz — will be officially installing Franz as the abbot of its temple, Sensouji (pictured), in a “Mountain Seat Ceremony” (shinsanshiki). A Dharma Combat Ceremony (hossenshiki) will also be held, as well as a one-day retreat. (You can read Koun’s explanations of the ceremonies here.)
Sensouji will be the first temple in Canada to hold these ceremonies, which will be attended in person by about twenty Soto Zen priests from Canada, the US, and Japan. Events June 21 will begin at 4pm and last til about 6pm (Atlantic time).
On Sunday from 9:30 am, at the Atlantic Buddhist Meditation Center in Herring Cove, THZ will host talks by visiting teachers from Japan as well as a traditional Full Moon Ceremony, followed by a potluck.
Thousand Harbours Zen asks that people signal their intention to come by using these links.
