FAQ – In the monastic regime, where life is strictly organized, humor and irony is a welcome relief!
Here you will find the frequently asked questions and answers (faq). In the monastic regime, where life is strictly organized, humor is a welcome relief and an opportunity for obtaining mutual understanding and camaraderie in the monastery.
Woke?
There are two genders and they are different: man and woman
What awaits me in the monastery?
The Sword of Wisdom killed the old witch and her eunuchs and at the same time brought the king and queen to life.
Is there Praying?
Lord's Prayer!
What happens when men no longer have male rites of passages?
In a society without initiation rites for men, men remain dependent on their mothers and are devoured by the mother of death. In a sociological matriarchy (there is no religious matriarchy), women are happy, fat whores who boss men around. And men are thin, submissive, and nervous mama's boys who work the fields and do the work for the women. Wealth, the instinctual world, sexuality without responsibility, and earthly happiness flourish. But there are no intellectual achievements at all, a world of utter stupidity, without religion or meaning. Peaceful but stupid. (Marie-Louise von Franz)
Is Zen meditation buddhist?
Zen is mystical, it is about religiosity (inner meaning). Zen is the tradition of mysticism, it is the living core of every religion in which the only thing that matters is practice - religious experience, realization. And here in the West, religious experience has the language of Christianity. This way we can find our father again and free him from the belly of the beast.
What should I bring to the stay?
- Walking boots
- Clothes for the garden work
- Comfortable clothes for meditation
- Rain & sun protection
- Personal hygiene items
- Water-bottle for hiking
- Small Backpack
- Sleeping bag is not required
- rosary
Who can come to the monastery?
You!
What is the most important rule?
I'm Muslim, can I still come?
Welcome.
When and how long can I stay?
Anytime with advance notice. Whether for a cup of coffee, for sitting meditation, for a day, several days, weeks or months, you are most welcome.
What is the difference between walking and hiking?
I have gluten intolerance or celiac disease, can I still come?
Of course, but we will not make any exceptions when it comes to food. So think twice if this is the right place for you.
What are the payment terms?
How do I have to behave in the monastery?
How many people are in the monastery?
Are there courses for beginners and advanced practitioners?
Is the Monastery traditional Japanese or Korean style?
Grüezi, welcome to Switzerland! Swiss-Catholic! Of course not, we don't have time for romantic jousting games!
You are a zen master and catholic?
Yes.
Vocatus atque non vocatus deus aderit.
Can I do what I want?
Do you have to be able to sit cross-legged when meditating?
Do you eat with chopsticks?
Do I feel better when I meditate?
Why do you get up so early?
Do you eat vegan or vegetarian?
Can I do a silent retreat?
Are the there guided meditations?
Sex, Drugs & Music
During free time, personal needs can be pursued outside the monastery.
Can I have a single room?
No
Do I have to participate at mealtime?
Yes
How much free time do I have?
The abbot determines the schedule.
Church Service?
Every Sunday we attend Mass at the local catholic church.
What do I have to do during the stay?
The abbot determines.
Does the monastery offers yoga?
Kalisthenic exercises can be done in your free time.
Can I talk during the stay?
Of course, especially during the breaks. Only the bare essentials are spoken during work or the modules.
Do you chant in Korean and Japanese?
Chanting is a very old form of knowledge transfer (before we could read). The easiest way to remember a story is sung. Because we have only done it this way for thousands of years, it is appropriately familiar to us. The Lord’s Prayer is read in German and hopefully understood.
What is Zen?
What is Meditation?
What is the meaning of Zen?
In the beginning was the Word, and the living Word was with God, and the Logos was God. When you understand that there is no way to say it, then you should know how to say it, because in the beginning was the word. Zen removes confusion and is not a way of teaching. Zen Master Pohwa Sunim
How is Meditation?
While everyone is meditating non-stop, standing or sitting, it's always together. If you don't believe this: look carefully! What is talking now all the time? Zen Master Myo-Vong
What happens at the moment of death?
What awaits the deceased where?
Love, Peace and Harmony?
Not for the sake of peace, but for the sake of truth.
How many times is a Zen monk reborn?
Do you believe in ghosts?
Is the origin of Zen Japanese?
Does Zen connect the West with the East?
How long does it take for the soul to be born again in a new body?
What do you think about dying?
Is there a hierarchy?
Why is Zen without a doctrine?
What is the Trinity?
Do you recommend any books before the stay?
- The Bible
- Parzifal
- Hansel and Gretel
- Peter Pan
- Pinocchio
- Sleeping Beauty
- Bambi
- Jack and the Beanstalk
- Snow White
- Rumpelstiltskin
Do women and men live together?
What does it mean to be without possessions?
How do you become a Zen master as quickly as possible?
What is the biggest mistake in life?
What is the correct position when meditating?
Can I bring my own Singing bowls, incense sticks and scented candles to the monastery?
Can I smoke?
What is my choice during the stay?
What is our Zeitgeist?
Hansel and Gretel
Etiquette
Love, Peace and Harmony?
Not for the sake of peace, but for the sake of truth.