Holy Cow! A Zen Garden In India

Arrived yesterday at Bodhi Zendo (www.boghizendo.org) after a short but harrowing taxi ride from Kodaikanal. Bodhi Zendo is truly an amazing spiritual place. Situated on top of a ridge among the acres and acres of farm and forest land of St Joseph Agri Farm (owned by the Jesuit order) the zendo (meditation centre) has spectacular views of mountains and valleys. The grounds within, reminiscent of Zen gardens, are attentively designed and immaculately maintained. The sleeping accommodation is just luxurious by spiritual standards – single room with attached bathroom and parquetry flooring. And the food thus far exceeds expectation. Over and above the typical delicious South Indian vegetarian meals Western soups and toast (yes, toast with butter!!!) are also available. In addition tea and coffee are offered with every meal and, for breakfast, cereals are served as well. The best part is that meals are eaten with cutlery and on dining tables - quite a change after the cross-legged floor sitting and hand-managed meals at the ashram. So all things considered this place is a five-star spiritual retreat. Bodhi Zendo is open to all who practise Zen, or who wish to experience it. You can spend some days or weeks in silence and meditation, and experiencing the brotherhood of the Sangha. There is also a considerable library, with literature on Zen, Buddhism, Christianity, Philosophy, other religions and other subjects.

Bodhi Zendo serves as the center for Bodhi Sangha, an international community of followers of Zen-Master P. AMA Samy who is also a Jesuit priest. A brief biography, taken from the Bodhi Zendo website, of this highly interesting man:

Fr. AMA Samy (Arul Maria Arokiasamy) was born of poor Indian parents in Burma in 1936. As a boy he came into some contact with Burmese Buddhism and Buddhist monks. Back in India after the War, he was brought up for a few years by his maternal grandfather, who was a devotee of a Muslim saint and was caring for the burial shrine of the saint. The grandfather died in an accident leaving the young boy without support and guidance. However, the boy finished school and joined the Jesuits.

Even after becoming a priest, his heart was restless after God. His heart was not fulfilled by the then Christian spirituality. He began visiting Hindu ashrams and buddhist meditation centers. He was introduced to Ramana Maharishi by Swami Abhishiktananda, and was much moved by Ramana's vision. His quest and searching led him to become a wandering beggar for a while and settle down as a hermit near a holy shrine; the village people fed him.

It was the zen way which drew him most. With the help of Fr. Enomiya Lassalle, he went to Japan and was able to train with Yamada Ko-Un Roshi of Sanbo Kyodan. In 1982 Yamada Ko-Un gave him transmission and authorization to teach. Fr. AMA Samy is rooted in Christianity and in Zen; he can be said to stand in-between Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity. He stands true to Christ, true to Zen and true to the human heart-mind.

I am slowly easing myself into life here. I thought the sesshin retreat starts early today but discovered that it actually commences this evening. The Japanese word for "Sesshin" means to come in touch with your heart. Sesshins last five to seven days. They are performed as intensive Zen retreats with absolute silence. Usually they include 14 - 16 twenty-five minute periods of sitting mediation each day. These sittings are accompanied by meditative walks (Kin-hin), private interview with the Zen teacher / master (Dokusan) and Teisho (Zen lecture). A Sesshin enables you to intensify your Zen practise and to gain inward purification. More of this later. As I will be retiring into silence (and total concentration) in the next six days................Om Shanti Shanti Shanti!