The UU Zen Center of Gainesville
The UU Zen Center of Gainesville is a part of a loose network of meditation groups with both a Zen connection and a Unitarian Universalist connection.
An overview of "UU Zen" is available at www.uuzen.org.
Is This a Real Zen Center?
The UU Zen Center of Gainesville is not led by an on-site Zen master or teacher. We are led by Rev. Meredith Garmon, Ph.D., a Zen practitioner since 2001. Formerly an assistant professor of philosophy, Meredith is the minister at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville.
Meredith’s teacher is Ruben Habito, Zen master (Roshi) at Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas, Texas, of the Sanbo Kyodan school of Zen. Meredith travels to Dallas for sesshin (intensive Zen retreats of 4 to 7 days) with Ruben three or four times a year.
Valerie Forstman, another Zen master at Maria Kannon Zen Center, makes occasional visits to Gainesville to lead day-long or week-end Zen intensives.
So … We have an on-site leader, Meredith, who is a serious Zen student and adheres to Sanbo Kyodan practice. Meredith consults regularly with Roshi Ruben Habito, who oversees the UU Zen Center of Gainesville from a distance. And Zen teacher Valerie Forstman makes visits.
What is Sanbo Kyodan?
The UU Zen Center of Gainesville practices Zen in the lineage of the Sanbo Kyodan (Three Treasures) school.
Japanese Zen master Harada Daiun Sogaku (1871-1961) received dharma transmission in both the Soto and Rinzai traditions. He was dharma heir of the Soto master Harada Sodo Kakusho (1844-1931) and a dharma heir of the Rinzai master Dokutan Sosan (1840-1917).
Harada's student and dharma heir, Yasutani Haku'un (1885-1973) formally founded Sanbo Kyodan in 1954.
Western successors of the Harada-Yasutani Zen lineage include Philip Kapleau, Robert Aitken, and Taizan Maezumi — though each of these broke away from Sanbo Kyodan.
Sanbo Kyodan Zen teachers in North America presently include:
- Ruben Habito, Dallas, TX
- Elaine MacInnes, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Valerie Forstman, Dallas, TX
- Maria Teresa Pineda, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Joan Riek, Rio Rancho, New Mexico
- Roselyn Stone, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
When and Where Does the UU Zen Center of Gainesville Meet?
The UU Zen Center meets at:
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville, 4225 NW 34th Street, Gainesville, FL 32605
Friday evenings, 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Tuesday mornings, 7:00 to 8:30 AM
Format for the Friday evening practice:
- Opening readings
- Zazen (seated meditation): 25 min.
- Kinhin (walking meditation): 7 min.
- Zazen: 25 min.
- Unison readings
- Tea served
- Dharma Discussion
- Closing bows
For our “Dharma Discussion” we usually discuss a different chapter each week from a book of Zen teachings.
Format for the Tuesday morning practice:
- Dharma Discussion: 30 min.
- Zazen (seated meditation): 25 min.
- Kinhin (walking meditation): 5 min.
- Zazen: 25 min.
- Closing bows