5-Day Sesshin
Only Buddha Recognizes Buddha
August 25 - 29, 2025
Amsterdam Zen Center
Only a Buddha can know a Buddha. Just as only a fish knows the heart of a fish and only a bird follows a bird's trace, no one but a Buddha can discern the heart of a Buddha. Only a Buddha can transmit to a Buddha, as only a Buddha can receive from a Buddha. Ordinary people cannot know the heart of a Buddha, just as humans cannot know the hearts of either fish or birds. If you want to be completely free and at peace, you must fully clarify this point. A Buddha cannot transmit the Dharma to an ordinary person, just as an ordinary person is not ready to receive the transmission from a Buddha. Until you have realized your own unborn Buddha-mind and the Buddha-mind of all ancestors, you will not be an empty vessel. Few really understand this principle. Those who do are indeed rare. — Genpo Roshi "Beyond Sanity & Madness"
Only a Buddha can know a Buddha. Just as only a fish knows the heart of a fish and only a bird follows a bird's trace, no one but a Buddha can discern the heart of a Buddha. Only a Buddha can transmit to a Buddha, as only a Buddha can receive from a Buddha. Ordinary people cannot know the heart of a Buddha, just as humans cannot know the hearts of either fish or birds. If you want to be completely free and at peace, you must fully clarify this point. A Buddha cannot transmit the Dharma to an ordinary person, just as an ordinary person is not ready to receive the transmission from a Buddha. Until you have realized your own unborn Buddha-mind and the Buddha-mind of all ancestors, you will not be an empty vessel. Few really understand this principle. Those who do are indeed rare.
— Genpo Roshi
"Beyond Sanity & Madness"
Location: Amsterdam Zen Center
Binnenkant 39, 1011 BM Amsterdam, The Netherlands
We invite you to arrive before 10:00 AM to find a seat. Coffee and tea will be available prior to sitting periods.
Attire: No special attire requirements. Consider wearing something comfortable for sitting.
Meals: Lunch will be provided.
Daily Schedule:
9:30 Doors Open
10:00 – 10:35 Zazen
10:35 – 10:45 Kinhin
10:45 – 11:00 Service
11:00 – 11:15 Break
11:15 – 1:15 Big Mind with Roshi
1:15 — 1:45 Break/Samu
1:45 — 3:00 Lunch (meal provided), Break & Samu
3:00 — 4:50 Zazen/Dokusan
4:50 — 5:00 Four Vows
Please direct questions to Chet at chet@bigmind.org.
Western Zen Path Participants please email Chet to reserve and confirm your space.
Limited Attendance - 45 Max Participants
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