The World of Zen, from West to East

Exhibition

03-30 November 2016

Cultureel Centrum 't Vondel
J. Possozplein 40, 1500 Halle

Description:
This exhibition explores the fascinating universe of Zen Buddhism. Since the end of the sixties Zen Buddhism was introduced in the West. End '80 a zendojo was also launched in Halle and still operates today. This photographs exhibition gives an insight into the practice of Zen: meditation, rituals, images, attributes, and everything that belongs to the practice.

The pictures were taken by the practitioners themselves and show various places: the dojo Halle, various retreats in Belgium, the main temple La Gendronnière (near Blois in France) as well as several important temples in Japan. After all, Zen is not only spiritual on the way but it requires that people sometimes have to make long distances to go to the center or just to meet the teacher.

Zen is a form of meditation that originated in India five hunderd years before our era in the historical figure of Buddha Shakyamuni. Then Zen Buddhism made a rich development when it came into contact with different cultures. In China, it took over elements of Taoism and Confucianism. In Japan, it makes a profound refinement. A journey of a thousand years.

Now that Zen is introduced in the West, the continuous exchange between the Eastern and Western culture continues to play a role. Western practitioners travel to Japan and Japanese monks explore how zen comes here to fruition. The world of Zen offers a journey from here to there and back.


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