Zen Buddhism

Zen practice is deceptive in its simplicity. The power of sitting quietly in meditation (zazen) can transform our perception from one of separateness to one of intimacy and unity. There is a great joy and peace in closing the gap between our self and others, between our self and the natural world. In the end we are just one interdependent, magnificent and mysterious whole. Although zazen is simple, our confused thoughts are complex and many, and because of this there are many teachings to help us undo the dualistic thoughts we carry. With a foundation in zazen we can study and integrate the profound teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha and his disciples who have carried the teachings forward to this time.

Reverend Neti Mushin Parekh began her formal Zen practice in 1995 in Sydney Australia, training with Subhana Barzaghi Roshi in the Diamond Sangha Tradition. The Diamond Sangha combines both the Soto tradition of shikantaza (just sitting), with the rigorous koan training of the Rinzai tradition.  Neti moved to the United States in 2001 and continued her koan training with Daniel Terragno Roshi. In 2009 she was authorised to teach in that lineage. She began training in Santa Cruz California with Rev. Kokyo Henkel in the Soto Zen lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi in 2012 and ordained as a priest in 2017. In 2021 Neti was given full transmission as a Soto Zen Teacher. On completion of this training she returned to Australia to establish a combined Soto Zen/Diamond Sangha Community in Canberra, the newly formed Twining Vines Zen Centre.