Robert Kennedy
Buddhist-Christian Contemplative Retreat
November 2-4
2 nights $120 ($60 deposit) Dana
Drawing from Zen Buddhism and Christianity, Fr. Kennedy will lead us in exploring the wisdom of Zen and in in discovering aspects of Zen practice which can complement and enrich the practice of Christianity, the way of Christ. This retreat will include meditation, lectures, discussion times, and the use of silence.
Fr. Kennedy’s retreat may be anticipated in this passage from his book Zen Gifts to Christians:
"In the dawn of the 21st century, global communications have evolved to the point where the Christian world can no longer be ignorant of Zen Buddhism. The meeting of these two international religions can bring needed light and compassion to many. Their encounter must not be allowed to degenerate because of prejudgments and misunderstandings. Let us Christians then pay attention to the gifts that are offered to us, and gratefully accept and integrate into our lives all that is possible . . . Fortunately, there is a new generosity and openness in the Christian world to non-Christian religions that can enrich us profoundly."
Fr. Robert Kennedy, Ph.D., is Chair of the Theology Department at St. Peter’s College in Jersey City where he teaches Theology and Japanese. He is also a practicing psychologist and the author of two books Zen Gifts to Christians and Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit. He studied Zen Buddhism in Japan and in 1991 was made Sensei in the White Plum Lineage and later was given the title Roshi which enables him to formally teach Zen and create successors to the teaching. He holds doctorates in Theology from the University of Ottawa and St. Paul University, a Masters in Theology from Sophia University in Tokyo, and a Doctorate in Psychology and Clinical Studies from Andover-Newton. He is a graduate of the Blanton-Peale Institute of Religion and Health. He is also the US Representative to the United Nations NGO, The Institute for the Creation of Spiritual Consciousness in Politics and the Economy.
Here is the daily schedule of the Robert Kennedy 2006 Southern Dharma retreat. The 2007 schedule may be different.
5:45 Wake up
6:15 Zendo
7:30 Breakfast
9:00 Zendo
10:30 Rest
11:00 Zendo
12:30 Lunch
2:30 Zendo
4:00 Rest
4:30 Zendo
5:15 Rest
5:30 Dinner
7:30 Zendo
9:00 Liturgy
9:30 Rest