Each summer we take a week to study a fascicle of Dogen’s Shobogenzo. The focus of the sesshin is sustaining practice during an intensive period, acting out our Buddhahood in the meditation, disciplines and rituals of a traditional Zen retreat. Sesshin is gathering our intention in a resolute and dignified manner so that we can put it directly on what is most important. We do this for a week in a structured and supportive container, and then bring the perspective gained to the rest of our life.

This year we are studying the fascicle “Kannon,” which is Dogen’s treatment of the koan of Kanzeon’s thousand hands and eyes.

Here is the schedule:

4:30am Wake-up
5:00am – 7:30 Zazen
7:30am Service
8:00am Soji (temple cleanup)
8:15am Oryoki breakfast
break
9:15am – 10:45 Samu (Work Practice)
11:00am – 12:30 Zazen
12:30pm Special Kanzeon Ceremony
12:45pm Oryoki lunch
break/exercise
3:00pm Evening Service
3:10pm – 5:15 Zazen
5:30pm Oryoki dinner
7:00pm Zazen (with dharma talk)
9:00pm Formal tea + Vespers

All zazen periods and services are open for anyone to drop in. Meals and overnights require registration. Overnight accommodations are available. Registration closes July 20.