NYZ: Shakuhachi Workshop

Shakuhachi is a traditional Japanese bamboo flute that is used in Zen Buddhism for Suizen, or “blowing Zen”, the spiritual practice of playing the flute during zazen. The honkyoku repertoire of the shakuhachi – which was developed specifically for Zen practice – has particular technical and aesthetic features that allow it to resist being heard as “music.” Therefore, it tends not to distract the meditating mind in the way that other music might. Compared to other shakuhachi repertoires, honkyoku pieces feature fewer notes with a focus on ornamentation and timbral effects. There is a famous saying from the world of suizen: ichion jobutsu, meaning “enlightenment in a single note.”

In this workshop, participants learn about the instrument, its tradition in Zen Buddhism and the honkyoku repertoire. Everyone can try playing the shakuhachi flute (PVC flutes are provided).

The workshop will be led by Marco Karaku Burmester who has been studying shakuhachi in New York City and Kyoto since 2006. Marco has been playing during standard-length zazen sessions and 5-hour Suizen intensives at New York Zendo Shobo-Ji. As a student of Ronnie Nyogetsu Reishin Seldin, Marco has a longtime connection with Dai Bosatsu Zendo, New York Zendo Shobo-Ji and Zen Center of Syracuse Hoen-ji. His current teacher James Nyoraku Schlefer recently granted him a teaching license and the shakuhachi name Karaku 嘉楽 which means, “one who brings joy and peace through music”.

In the early evening, there will be a Shakuhachi Concert at 6pm (tickets sold separately). Please join us for one or both events.

The fee for this event is $30 for nonmembers and $25 for Zen Studies Society (ZSS) members, please register by purchasing a ticket below. Note that the member price is for ZSS members only – please consider becoming a Supporting Member. ZSS Health Protocols apply.