Hõza (法座) is derived from the Buddha’s method of teaching his disciples through giving Buddha Dharma talks and counselling the monks, nuns, and lay followers who gathered around him to hear him speak. During hõza we sit together in a circle, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere for open discussion.

Hõza in Mukyõhõ enables us to help solve our problems and learn how to make practical use of the Buddha’s teachings in everyday life. Hõza benefits all members, not only an individual with a specific problem or question to be asked.

During hõza we learn how to employ the Buddha’s teachings as a guide for living, to obtain relief from our suffering, and to gain insight and thus achieve spiritual growth.

The range of problems and questions raised in hõza varies from personal problems we may have at home or at work, through to problems of human relationships, to questions about the teachings of the Buddha Dharma. As a member during hõza speaks about their problem, the other members listen and respond with compassion, trying to understand their problem, situation, and emotions.

Hõza as a manifestation of living Buddhism in action, differs from ordinary group counseling in three ways. Firstly, we come together in a situation where we can practice compassion as taught by the Buddha and learn to consciously apply it in our daily lives through reflection on everyday circumstances. Secondly, we learn to think of other people’s suffering and problems as our own and to put ourselves in their situation. Thirdly, together we help to seek solutions for their problems that are based on application and practice of the Buddha’s teachings.

Contemplation on the Four Truths of The Noble One (shitai 四諦) is the fundamental key to the problem-solving process.

• First, members share their problems (the truth of suffering - Kutai 苦諦)

• Second, we work together to discover the cause of the problems (the truth of cause - Jittai 集諦)

• Third, we reach a conclusion about the right way of overcoming the problems (the truth of the Way - Mettai 滅諦)

• Fourth we discuss an active analysis of the Eightfold Path to end the problems (the truth of extinction - Dõtai 道諦)