"There is some element, some essence of Buddhism that cannot be expedited. With ceaseless effort we have to follow the Way until the readiness of time. There is no shortcut."

— Eido T. Shimano Roshi

Zen Master Eido T. Shimano Roshi returns to Telluride this weekend for a retreat and lecture, Nov.13-14. At his first visit a year ago, the Sheridan Opera House was filled beyond capacity, and many people asked if he could return for a longer period of time. This second visit is in response to that request. The Roshi will lead a retreat on Saturday and Sunday morning, and give a public lecture Saturday evening.

Eido Roshi is the abbot of two Buddhist monasteries in New York — the New York Zendo Shobo-Ji, on Manhattan's Upper East Side; Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-Ji, deep in the Catskill Mountains upstate. He came to this country as a young man at the urging of his teacher in Japan "to bring Zen Buddhism to the West," he says. Now in his seventies, the Roshi is highly respected as one of the true masters. It is indeed a very special opportunity to study with him here in the West.

Eido Roshi visited Telluride for the first time in October 2003, at the invitation of one of his students, a local resident who wanted to share the Roshi's wisdom and presence with all of us. The Sheridan Opera House was filled beyond capacity, with an audience hungry for spiritual direction. Many attendees voiced the wish for a longer retreat or workshop at that time. The Roshi's return to Telluride in November is in response to that request.

Reverend Dai En Hi Fu, who will speak on Saturday afternoon, has been studying with Eido Roshi for over 24 years. He was ordained as a Rinzai Zen Buddhist monk in 1996. Dai En is currently is working to build a new retreat center and guest facility in central Massachusetts called Wild Goose Zendo and has opened a new temple in Concord, Mass. Dai En works to honor all brothers and sisters bringing true Buddha Dharma to the West.

It is not necessary to attend the retreat in order to hear the evening lecture. It is also just fine to attend only one day of the retreat. For more information or to register for the retreat (space is limited), please call the Ah Haa School at 970/728-3886. There is no fee for the retreat or the lecture but donations are much appreciated; suggested donation is $10 per session/lecture.