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.

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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.

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ordination altar

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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