From my early days of Zen training I was inspired by the few stories I heard of Zen female ancestors who displayed a courage, resourcefulness, and brightness of mind that inspired me. It is only in recent years that a rich treasure of stories about Zen women (and other female Buddhist women) have become available to us. As role models and as deep practitioners, these female ancestors unlock an access to female strength and depth of insight that deeply enrich and balance Zen teachings.
With my own students, both male and female, we have dived deep into this well of wisdom and have become richer because of it.
Linda Myoki Ryugo Lehrhaupt Roshi
Offerings
Benediktushof
Zen Conference August 2025 Radiant Light – (Zen)Women on the Way
The location of the conference is again, after the very successful event 2023, the Benediktushof. Experienced women teacher will give talks and workgroups. See more: flyer and the article in the attachment.
Leaders: Linda Myoki Lehrhaupt Roshi, Susanne Jushin Dittrich and team Gudrun Yushin Abrecht, Martina Kaisei Siegwardt
benediktushof-holzkirchen.de
Date: 28. or 29.08. – 31.08.2025
At Benediktushof, near Wurzburg, Germany
Retreat: The Wisdom of Awakened Women
In the book „The Hidden Lamp“ (edited by Zenshin Florence Caplow, Reigetsu Susan Moon) one hundred Buddhist stories from twenty-five centuries of awakened women are published for the first time. Each story is commented upon by a different contemporary female Buddhist teacher.
In this mostly silent meditation retreat, we will reflect on various stories from The Hidden Lamp and allow their sparks to kindle our own flames. There will be periods of sitting and walking meditation, gentle movement practice and an opportunity to study the koans both in mindful discussion in groups and also individually with the teachers. Inspired by Zen practice, the retreat is open to everyone whether you have experience in Zen or not. Some experience in meditation, however, is required. The retreat will offer the opportunity to experience Zen study with koans, a centuries-old meditation experience that emphasizes shining the light inward to come into contact with one’s own original wisdom.
The retreat will be held in German.
Retreat Leader:
Susanne Jushin Dittrich
31.10. – 03.11.2024
Info and registration:
benediktushof-holzkirchen.de
Contact :
Teachers
Dr. Linda Myoki Ryugo Lehrhaupt Roshi
Zen practice since 1979, Guiding Teacher for Zen-Herz-Sangha
Founder and executive director of the Institute for Mindfulness-Based Approaches.
Teaching MBSR since 1993 and training MBSR teachers since 2002.
Training as a Spiritual Companion (Member of Spiritual Directors International-SDI)
Leader of international Zen und Mindfulness retreats. Author.
Susanne Jushin Dittrich
Zen practice since 1999: until 2015 with Rolf Drosten Roshi, from 2016 with Myoki Roshi.
Authorized by her to lead meditation groups, individual and group koan work.
Teacher for Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Leader of various meditation groups and retreats
Psychotherapist, supervisor
Ressources
Radio broadcast (German)
Zenfrauen/Koangruppenpraxis
Lecture (German)
Die verborgene Geschichte
der Zen-Frauen
Publications
The hidden light
Article in BUDDHISMUS Aktuell, issue 2/2021
On the way with our (Zen) ancestors
Article in the Seminarhaus Benediktushof magazine
Books
The Hidden Lamp
Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women, edited by Zenshin Florence Caplow, and Reigetsu Susan Moo
ISBN: 3942085488
Zen Women
Beyond Tea Ladies, Iron Maidens, and Macho Masters by Grace Schireson
ISBN: 3942085410
Die weibliche Seite des Buddha. Ein Lesebuch
Agnes Pollner
ISBN: 9783783195354
© ZenFrauen unterwegs 2021