Sui Zen, “Blowing Zen”
Shakuhachi Flute Meditation
With Rev. Seiso Paul Cooper
Barre Zen Meditation Center
At the U.U. Parish House 19 Church St., Barre,
Friday, September 26, 2025, 7:00 P.M.
Free, All Welcome
What is Suizen?
Suizen or “Blowing Zen” the practice of playing the shakuhachi, the root end bamboo flute, is one among many ways to express realization in the Soto Zen tradition. Other ways include: zazen (sitting meditation), kinhin (walking meditation). Suizen was traditionally practiced by the shakuhachi-playing mendicant Zen monks of the Fuke sect in Japan known as Komusō (Monks of Emptiness). They flourished during the Edo period (1600 to 1868). They occupy a meaningful part of the shakuhachi tradition, and their repertoire of meditative pieces, (honkyoku), and the shakuhachi‘s deep connection to Zen Buddhism are access points for many who are intrigued by the traditional Japanese bamboo flute and its culture. With suizen, the playing of the shakuhachi is at the core of the religious practice, making it unique in the world of Buddhism. It is the only melodic instrument found in Zen. Ichi on jo butsu, “Realization through a single note, became an important aspect of the Fuke sect’s ‘blowing Zen.’ The great shakuhachi master Fūyō Hisamatsu (1790- 1845) speaks of “going all the way with intellect and then going beyond intellect to realization.” The suizen repertoire or, Honkyoku, is distinguished from Gaikyoku, the music played for entertainment. Suizen pieces are traditionally played as a personal spiritual practice and not as a public performance. The program consists of a variety of pieces drawn from the traditional Zen repertoire. This event is an opportunity to join in and feel the meditative ambience of the sound of the shakuhachi. We look forward to you joining us for this special event.
Dai Bosatsu Zendo October 2021
About Seiso and Suizen
Seiso has been practicing suizen since 1993 as a Zen arts practice. He studied with American and Japanese Masters both in Japan and in the United States. Seiso is an ordained priest and a formally transmitted teacher in the Soto Zen Buddhist lineage of Dainin Katagiri. He is the co-founder and former guiding teacher of the Two Rivers Zen Community in Narrowsburg, NY. and the Lincoln Zen Center in Lincoln NE.
Seiso and his wife, Kagayaki Karen Morris, co-founded the Barre Zen Meditation Center, Kokyoji, (Eternal Mirror Temple) where authentic Zen meditation instructions and practice periods as well as traditional Zen teachings that support meditation practice are freely offered. Barre Zen Meditation Center is located in the Parish House at 19 Church St., Barre. Sponsored by the First Church Barre, Universalist
Seiso is available to share suizen at weddings, gatherings, funerals and special occasions. Contact: chugai108@gmail.com
Barre Zen Meditation Center Kokyoji, (Eternal Mirror Temple) 