Bodhi Zendo Medition Center

Bodhi Zendo Meditation Center is a Zen training center in South India’s Perumal Hills, which also serves as the center for Bodhi Sangha, an international community of followers of Zen-Master P. AMA Samy.

Bodhi Zendo is open to all who practise Zen, or who wish to experience it. You can spend some days or weeks in silence and meditation, and experiencing the brotherhood of the Sangha. At Bodhi Zendo visitors will find a beautiful Zen garden with wonderful panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. There is also a considerable library, with literature on Zen, Buddhism, Christianity, Philosophy other religions and other subjects.

Everyday life at Bodhi Zendo includes group meditation (Zazen), shared work (Samu), South Indian meals and leisure time, providing the opportunity for studies and use of the extensive library. The schedule is mandatory for all visitors and several hours of each day are compulsory silence periods. To learn about the daily routine please refer to -&gt; Daily Schedule

Besides collective meditation there are daily private interviews, (dokusan) where visitors can discuss elements of their spiritual practice or problems with their Zen practice with P. AMA Samy (Dokusan).
During Sesshins, (Intensive Zen retreats), P. AMA Samy gives lectures about Zen called teishos, some transcriptions of which can be viewed on this site.

Day of silence
Every Wednesday is a day of complete silence.

Mini-Sesshin
At the beginning of each month a mini sesshin of three days duration takes place (Thursday to Sunday). The agenda can be found in the section -&gt; Mini sesshin.

Sesshin
Every 4 – 6 weeks an intensive Zen retreat, or Sesshin, takes place. The duration of a Sesshin is 5, or on some occasions 7 days and takes place in complete silence. You should have some experience in Zen meditation before participating in a full Sesshin. Please register in advance for any Sesshin. For dates please refer to -&gt; Sesshin timetable.

Introduction
If you intend to participate in an extended Sesshin of several days but are not experienced we suggest attending an introductory course. If you have enough time it is useful to attend a Mini-Sesshin first during which you will be familiarized with the techniques of Zazen.

Fr. AMA Samy (Arul Maria Arokiasamy) was born of poor Indian parents in Burma in 1936. As a boy he came into some contact with Burmese Buddhism and Buddhist monks. Back in India after the War, he was brought up for a few years by his maternal grandfather, who was a devotee of a Muslim saint and was caring for the burial shrine of the saint. The grandfather died in an accident leaving the young boy without support and guidance. However, the boy finished school and joined the Jesuits.

Even after becoming a priest, his heart was restless after God. His heart was not fulfilled by the then Christian spirituality. He began visiting Hindu ashrams and buddhist meditation centers. He was introduced to Ramana Maharishi by Swami Abhishiktananda, and was much moved by Ramana's vision. His quest and searching led him to become a wandering beggar for a while and settle down as a hermit near a holy shrine; the village people fed him.

It was the zen way which drew him most. With the help of Fr. Enomiya Lassalle, he went to Japan and was able to train with Yamada Ko-Un Roshi of Sanbo Kyodan. In 1982 Yamada Ko-Un gave him transmission and authorization to teach. Fr. AMA Samy is rooted in Christianity and in Zen; he can be said to stand in-between Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity. He stands true to Christ, true to Zen and true to the human heart-mind.

Fr. AMA Samy spends a few months every year abroad, mostly in Europe, teaching and helping his students (see the sesshin list). He is the founder of Bodhi Sangha.

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