Maja Z Mikos, PhD /// Do Ka 道河 Soto Zen Nun /// Shi Yan Sa 释延萨 34th generation Shaolin disciple
HINOTORI AN
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Integrating ancient wisdom into the modern world
Located in the heart of urban Zurich, Hinotori An, the Firebird Hermitage, represents an authentic hybrid between a hermitage and a small urban zendo. It was founded by Doka sensei, who is ordained in both the Soto Zen and in the Shaolin Chan lineage.
The Hinotori An practice can be entered through three symbolic gates:
1st gate – Opens to the Spiritual Path (Zen Training);
2nd gate – Opens to the Applied Path (ZenQiYo Academy);
3rd gate – Opens to the Engaged Path (Doka Foundation).
Regardless of which gateway the practitioner approaches the practice, the principles on which the practice is based are the same, just conveyed in a different way and performed at a different pace. With this, everyone is enabled to directly or indirectly recognize and break conditioned patterns, and reach peace of heart and spirit. And, with patience and aspiration everyone can even reach a highest level at which wisdom and compassion are governing.
In 2023, the practice will take place on-site (at Hinotori Zendo), online, and at host locations.
THE FIRST GATE: SPIRITUAL PATH
ZEN PRACTITIONERS
For committed Zen students.
The first gate opens the path of spiritual cultivation with an emphasis on Zazen and conversations with the teacher. Communication follows principles that discourage meaningless chatter, flattery, and over-intellectualised discussion. It is conducted in a way and with a goal that favors the spiritual growth of practitioners. When practitioners need help clearing karmic debris, they are provided with additional support ("Life Guidance"). Since the practice is aimed at lay people, who usually attend the Zendo for only a few hours a month, it is impossible to expose them to Zen principles continuously, as is the case in a monastic environment. In order to overcome this shortcoming at least partially, the practice within this path is divided into three passages (Carp, Dragon, Phoenix).
Location: on site, online
Teacher: Doka Sensei
hinotori.zendo@gmail.com
THE SECOND GATE: APPLIED PATH
URBAN PRACTIIONERS
For those who want to calm their heart, clear their mind and improve overall well-being and health.
The second gate opens the path to the cultivation of body and mind with a focus on developing higher level of self-awareness and well-being. The approach follows the essential Hinotori principles, but in a way that is much softer than one used in Zen training. Practitioners have a choice between 1) the program that is tailored for those who are not ready to enter the Zen path in a demanding and disciplined way but want to reach a decent understanding of Zen practice in order to apply it to their daily lives; or 2) programs that target specific individual issues and follow the Three-Kernel approach (ZenQiYo@Individual).
Starting in 2023, the institutional programs will be discontinued and will be replaced with lectures and talks.
Location: on site, online or host location
Teacher: Doka Sensei
THE THIRD GATE: ENGAGED PATH
SOCIAL PROJECTS
For those who are part of the urban population exposed to extremely difficult life conditions (especially children and young people) and for the charities that support them.
Practice on this path follows the approach of engaged Buddhism and is carried out through workshops, seminars, and lectures.
Location: host location
Teacher: Dr. Maya Doka Mikos
MEETINGS WITH TEACHER
INTRO MEETING
Anyone who wants to practice Hinotori Zendo (excluding one-timers) must make a short appointment with the teacher beforehand. This is an informal meeting with Doka sensei, organized to give an opportunity for a short mutual introduction.
Location: on site, online
Read More >
Teacher: Doka Sensei
MEETINGS WITH TEACHER
ZEN GUIDANCE
These meetings with the teacher are part of the 1st gate and should be perceived as important part of the zen practice. Their aim is to help student break through Ego structures, conditioning, and dualistic perception. For this reason, zen communication would differ in character and approach from that in ordinary life (education, career, relationships etc.) and with the progression of practice, it will increasingly gain on purity and directness. Zen guidance are conducted in various formats: mondo (related to technique, life etc.), dharma meeting (related to personal spiritual development), dokusan (breakthrough of duality).
Location: on site, online
Teacher: Doka Sensei
MEETINGS WITH TEACHER
LIFE GUIDANCE
This meeting is available to everyone and has a complementary character. It is useful for both Zen students and urban practitioner. The conversation is aimed at a specific topic that triggers conditioned way of perceiving, thinking, reacting, or acting. Thus, it can not only help in reprograming unfavorable reaction pathways, but also in clearing up the karmic layers. This guidance is founded on Buddhist principles coupled with insights into biological aspects that are part of the solution as well as the problem. This meeting is not life coaching, a session with a psychologist, or confession to the priest, although it may contain elements of all of these forms of conversations. Compassion, trust, and confidentiality are safe nets offered to each participant.
Location: on site, online
Teacher: Doka Sensei
SESSHINS
INTENSE PRACTICE
Sesshin is a cornerstone of Zen practice and is invaluable to anyone who is hoping to gain insight into their true nature. Therefore, the opportunity to immerse yourself in Zen practice for a few hours or days, in the middle of the city and without having to travel far, is rare and precious. This intense, Zen meditations can last half a day (Half Day Retreat), a full day (Zazenkai) or several days (Weekend Sesshin). Sesshin is either performed in complete silence or will involve zazen, chanting, Orioki, Dharma talk and a private talk with the teacher (Dharma meeting or Dokusan).
Location: onsite, online
Performed by: Doka Sensei
hinotori.zendo@gmail.com
BUDDHIST CEREMONIES
RITUALS AND CEREMONIES
Ceremonies and rituals are instruments designed to keep vital principles of the tradition alive, provided they are performed consciously. In 2023, only a limited number of ceremonies will be offered at Hinotori An, all performed as a practice aimed at deepening understanding of the Zen path and raising levels of consciousness.
Location: on site, online
Performed by: Doka Sensei
hinotori.zendo@gmail.com
DAOIST MEDICINE
HEALING
Health and healing were viewed holistically in all spiritual schools. Even today, Buddhism and Daoism not only emphasize the need to look at health and illness from an all-dimensional perspective (body-heart-mind), but also potentiate the need for the spiritual maturity of the healer. With this it is perceived that only those who have attained the highest level of spiritual development can also attain the highest level of the healer. The methods used in Hinotori An to promote health are offered to everyone in the form of Gigong workshops and ZenQiYo programs. Other methods (fasting, phytotherapy, acupressure, etc.) are offered only to the regular Hinotori students, strictly adhering to the traditional principles of the healing.
Location: on site
Healer: Doka Sensei
hinotori.zendo@gmail.com
DIGITAL SANGHA
ONLINE PRACTICE
From 2023, Hinotori An will reopen its doors for on-site Zen practice. However, for overseas practitioners and those who for whatever reason do not have direct access to on-site practice, online practice will still be offered.
Location: online
Read more >
Teacher: Doka Sensei
hinotori.zendo@gmail.com
DIGITAL LIBRARY
WORD AND PICTURE
In addition to zazen, which aims to reach a dimension beyond the intellect, spiritual seekers are also given the opportunity to transcend form using the faculties of the intellect-sense complex. The practitioner embarks on a journey where ancient and modern knowledge can be encountered through words, paradoxes (blog, quotes) or through visual and acoustic stimulation (videos, music)*. These media thus become instruments with the potential to transcend words and images into a formless experience.
* still rudimental
Location: website, YouTube
Teacher: Doka Sensei
DIGITAL TAKUHATSU
DONATION
Digital Takuhatsu is a hybrid between traditional and modern approaches. Although this traditional Zen monastic practice is adapted to contemporary culture, it tries to preserve the spirit of the Dana practice. Takuhatsu should not be seen as a mere donation, but rather as a spiritual practice that promotes generosity and gratitude.
The alms round is held online once a year and lasts 49 days, which gives it an additional spiritual meaning.
Location: website
Receiver: Hinotori An