Zen Eco-Symphony Village

Zen master Hogen has long had the dream of forming a residential zen community on a rural piece of land in Australia. It is envisaged that the land will incorporate a permanent community of students with their families as well as a zendo and facilities for residential sesshins and self retreats. We are actively investigating potential properties in the Springbrook area, in the mountains at the back of the Gold Coast, Queensland. This location is between Byron Bay and Brisbane, both centres where sangha members currently live. Springbrook offers a pristine environment but is also only a half an hours drive down the mountain to the Gold Coast. There is a preference for situating the community near the Theosophical Society retreat centre. (Open Way Zen does not have any connection to the Theosophical Society).

The following 11 directions were written by Hogen-san during the time of his last visit. They are born out of his deep and long term commitment to us all, the Dharma, and his vision for a simple and pure life. This dream has been evolving for the past 15 years on this continent since the time of Hogen-san's first sesshin in Australia.

 Please know, by your participation in this, however large or small, such a possibility ripens.

A primary step is to compile a register of interested friends and students. This will include name and contact details, suggestions, likely level of involvement and any skills or support available. Please contact us zenfo@openway.org.au if you are interested.

The Basic Direction for Establishment of Our Zen Sangha Community.

1. This is the first priority: To find the essential basis to be in deepest harmony, peace and love with our whole community. This is most necessary and important for us all.
2. Daily Zen practice (with basic and essential precepts of love and compassion).
3. Permaculture penetration.
4. Self-sufficient community with alternative energy systems, a seed bank and many other positive alternatives.
5. Enough space and places for our new family and Dharma friends. A space from 80 or 200 acres, large enough to receive visits from global Dharma friends who will surely join us in living and working with our community which is open-air breathing, organic, gateless gate, with open-heart-precepts.
6. Simple life, humble being, wonderful awakening-encounter; (of Here-Now.)
7. A Pure natural environment (in nature and the surroundings).
8. Co-operating and learning with different eco-villages, in the mutual understanding of aid and support.
9. People can always join us from outside of the community for Zazen, sesshins or some new, open workshops, (wholistic medical, psychological, yoga, or art of living, crafts, macrobiotic, biodynamic etc.), even self-retreats, etc. (Which can also be a source of financial support for us).
10. To look for land with as many buildings as possible. Land with council approval is important.

In this sprouting new future, our children are such precious members. They are so important. They should be protected by our whole community, from bad influences and many kinds of destructive, worldly pollution. Factors such as T.V., magazines, chemicals, radioactivities, coca-cola, wars, drugs etc. To educate the children of the community through  live-in apprenticeships with  the special skills and talents of the community, so as to learn each family's special art of living.