One-to-One Teaching: Daisan or Dokusan

A relationship with a teacher has always been widely acclaimed as central to optimum Zen practice and realization.  This teaching in Zen is individual.  It is called daisan or dokusan. 

Daisan is a short meeting about your practice with either or both of our two teachers, and takes place during a scheduled sitting period. 

All newcomers to our zendo, including beginners, are encouraged to come to daisan once or twice in order to meet our teachers in their teaching capacities.  However, after these initial meetings, daisan is limited to members of Plum Blossom Zendo.  You may continue to go to both teachers for daisan for as long as you wish although you may also wish to remain with just one of them.

Daisan is basic to personal development in Zen practice.  It is for checking up on details of your practice, for support in difficulty, for encouragement, for challenge as well as for sharing any insights you may have through your sitting.

The meeting is short so it is important to be focused on what you wish to talk about.  Check with the jitsu or the practice leader you had for the Introduction to Zen about the procedure for going to daisan.

Both our teachers offer teaching in ‘following the breath zazen,’ in shikantaza as well as koan work.