Edgar and Joe, I don't know how it is now, but back in the 'good old days' (which in my case is the 1960's) zen centers operated on a pretty sparse budget. I was involved with two during that time, one intimately and over close to a 10-year period and the other casually and only over a 1+ year period. Both of these had pretty much the same programs and the same procedures. One center was in an urban area and one was in a secluded area in the mountains.
The urban center hosted a half-day Beginning Seminar free. Anyone could attend and there was no reservations required. Tea was served in the morning and light refreshments (more tea and some cookies) were served afterwards. They both had weekend, one-week and month-long sesshins (meditation retreats). Meals were served and accommodations provided for those not living in the area - or that wanted to stay there. There were fees for the meals and accommodations but as I remember they were not exorbitant and could be reduced or waived for people who needed that. Occasionally there were 'special' one-week or month-long sesshins that featured other compatible practices like tai chi, qigong, poetry, etc... These could have a higher fee. I don't remember what these fees were but I was just a working stiff then and certainly not rich. I know the fees were comfortable for me, and if I remember correctly I considered them actually less than it would have cost me to live at home for the week or month. And like I said I did know that some participants could not pay and that did not present a problem for the centers. Just a little FYI...Bill! --- In [email protected], "Joe" <desert_woodworker@...> wrote: > > O, Edgar, > > If you were never taught there about the practice of Dana, then you were > cheated. I'd demand your Voided-check back if I were you. > > You mean you only had to work in the Vegetable garden six hours a day on > their/your sesshin(s)? > > If not, you'll have a big debt to pay to the benefactors in the hereafter, or > the underworld. > > You could make this right if you make an offering now. Is anybody still > alive, there? > > --Joe > > > Edgar Owen <edgarowen@> wrote: > > > > In all my practice at Zen temples there was never any charge at all. > > Lessons, food and board were all gratis... > ------------------------------------ Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are reading! Talk about it today!Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
