Dharma Rain - Retreats
Retreats
Periods of focused practice are an ancient and vital part of Buddhist, and
especially Zen, tradition. At retreat we have an opportunity to focus on
deep meditation and inner reflection. The longer retreats include the opportunity
for private interviews with teachers, lectures and special ceremonies, as
well as formal meals (oryoki) and longer periods of meditation. Retreats
are held in town at the Portland Dharma Center unless specified otherwise.
Watch the schedule and newsletter for information
about upcoming retreats. Most are open to the public to drop in for meditation
and services, but require
people to sign up ahead of time for meals and overnights. Further information
about retreats is available by contacting the Center.
Approximately every month, the Center holds a retreat. These range
from one-day retreats on Saturdays (Zazenkai),
weekend retreats, to a week-long intensive sesshin,
a term which means “examine the heart.” Retreats
include meditation and services, tea, class, work periods, and some also
include an opportunity for
discussion and questions.

Beginners Retreat
This weekend, residential retreat is designed to provide familiarity with
internal and external practices of Soto Zen Buddhism. Instruction is provided
for newcomers, and all levels are welcome to deepen their practice. Currently
scheduled twice a year.

Zazenkai
An all-day intensive practice of sitting, typically 8 hours of sitting in
three blocks during a 12-hour period (from 5am to 5pm). Also includes two
oryoki meals, brief work practice, and breaks. Currently scheduled about
every 6 weeks.


Segaki Retreat — Fall
Every fall,
we hold
a weekend Segaki retreat,
focused on cleansing karma and releasing attachments to the past,
including those who have died. For photos of the 2006 children’s
ceremony, click here.

Rohatsu Sesshin — Early December
In early December, we hold
a week-long Rohatsu sesshin,
in honor of the Buddha’s enlightenment;
this is a deep and profoundly quiet retreat. It is held in conjunction
with the Zen Community
of Oregon and the Eugene Zendo at Great
Vow Zen Monastary.


Jukai — Early Spring
In the early spring, we
have Jukai, the week devoted to giving
and receiving the Buddhist Precepts.
Daijukai — 2011
Every third year, we do the major ceremonies of Daijukai,
which are rarely performed in the United States. Daijukai was in 2008, and
the next one is scheduled for March, 2011.

Denkoe — Spring
In the spring, we have held Denkoe, a week-long
sesshin devoted to the ancestors, during which we study one chapter of the
Denkoroku. This is held
out of town at Great Vow Zen Monastery.
The last Denkoe was May 11-17, 2009. This retreat is being reconfigured,
and will not be held in 2010.

Three Robes Retreat
A Zen meditation retreat about Right Effort for averyone from ascetics
to people with physical challenges and health issues. Each participant
meets with a teacher at the beginning of the retreat to establish a personal
practice vow for the sesshin that is appropriate for his or her physical
abilities — that is, something that is both possible and challenging.
This is a new offering from Dharma Rain Zen Center, and was held at Great
Vow Zen Monastery May 10-16, 2010.
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