Zen Group of Western Australia

The Zen Group of Western Australia (ZGWA) is an organization of lay zen practitioners located in Perth, Western Australia. The group holds weekly formal meditation (zazen) and regular intensive Zen meditation retreats (sesshin) several times a year.
==Afilliation==
The ZGWA is affiliated with the Diamond Sangha tradition of Zen Buddhism, which was founded in Hawaii in 1959 by Robert Aitken Roshi.
ZGWAs lineage comes from the Sanbo Kyodan (the Order of the Three Treasures), started by Harada Roshi in Japan in the early part of the 20th century. Harada Roshi taught a unique method of Zen practice. He amalgamated the heart teachings from the two main schools, Soto and Rinzai, to make a practice suitable for lay students. The Diamond Sangha tradition uses rituals from the Soto and Rinzai schools, with mediation practices of Shikantaza from the Soto school and koan training from the Rinzai school.
== Teachers ==
ZGWA's senior teacher is Ross Bolleter Roshi, who supervises new Zen teachers and assists with the founding of new groups throughout Australia and New Zealand. Bolleter Roshi received transmission from Robert Aitken Roshi in 1995. Ian Sweetman Roshi is the resident teacher in Perth, authorized in 2001 by Ross Bolleter Roshi. 
== Organization ==
The group is a not-for-profit organization, assisted by an annually elected council of volunteer members. Council responsibilites include the organizing of sesshin and weekly zazen, correspondence to members about events and assisting with orientation for newcomers.
== History ==
The ZGWA started in 1983 with a small group of people sitting in a private home in Mt. Claremont, Perth. Over the years, the ZGWA's zendo has moved from private residences to office buildings and is currently situated at a church hall. 
== See also ==
* Zen
* Diamond Sangha
* Sanbo Kyodan
== External links ==
* Diamond Sangha Website
* Affiliates of the Diamond Sangha
* Buddhist Peace Fellowship
Category:Buddhist organizations
Category:Zen