Rohatsu Sesshin: A 7 Day Meditation Retreat

Date: December 5 - 12, 2021

Time: Sunday Dec 5 at 7:30 pm to Sunday Dec 12 1pm

Location: Great Vow Zen Monastery / Zoom

Address: 79640 Quincy Mayger Road, Clatskanie, OR 97016, USA

Price: $75 - $380
Email us about program

Rohatsu Sesshin: A 7 Day Meditation Retreat

December 5 - 12, 2021

Sunday Dec 5 at 7:30 pm to Sunday Dec 12 1pm

THERE ARE A FEW SPACES AVAILABLE FOR IN-PERSON PARTICIPATION IN ROHATSU SESSHIN. TO PARTICIPATE VIA ZOOM, PLEASE FOLLOW THE REGISTRATION LINK. TO APPLY FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE, PLEASE WRITE TO registrar(at)zendust.org.

Rohatsu is a meditation retreat that celebrates the Buddha’s Awakening through our embodiment of deep practice.  For centuries now, all over the world practitioners have gathered in the Winter to support each other in whole hearted endeavor.

All in-person participants must be fully vaccinated. In addition, we require a negative molecular (PCR/NAAT, not antigen) Covid test within 3 days of your arrival. Details on what is required can be found here.

Sesshin is a rigorous and, at times, challenging meditation retreat that is not recommended for beginners. If you plan on attending in person, we require that you attend one of our silent weekend retreats or a five-seven day silent meditation retreat (with approximately 8 hours of seated meditation a day) at another Zen Center before registering for our longer zen retreats. 

It is our intention to offer the supportive structure to allow you to do a week long meditation retreat at home. You can participate to whatever degree your life allows. Consider the possibility to design your own retreat. Do a work/family sesshin. Take one day this week and make it a retreat day!

This retreat will also take place through the zoom app. You will receive a link to the retreat once you register.

Doing a retreat at home can be empowering, take up the practice in your own home and know the peace and clarity of mind in your own dwelling place! To support doing home retreat we recommend doing the following:

1. Reflect on your intention
2. Create a sacred space with a simple altar and meditation supports in a clean room that allows for calm/peace of mind
3. Commit to a schedule, we have a schedule posted below. We ask that you commit to at least 4 hours of meditation a day. Part-time attendance is welcome. Join for a day, the weekend or the whole week. Please let us know the dates you plan to attend.
4. Give up or reduce media, phone and extra computer use for the duration of the retreat
5. Keep the practice going during the “breaks” by engaging with Mindful Eating during meals and choosing simple work (gardening, cleaning, etc.), body practice/exercise (walking, yoga, qi gong) or creative projects that support your meditation practice/intention.
6. Consider being in silence for the whole retreat or practicing silence for specific periods during the day.
7. If you live with others, communicate with them what your intention is for this week of practice and ask them to support you

Approximate Schedule

Sunday Night

7:30 Orientation
8:30 Zazen/Opening Talk

Tuesday – Saturday
5:00 Zazen
6:50 Chanting Service
7:30 Breakfast

9:00 Work Practice

11:30 Zazen
12:50 Chanting Service
1:00 Lunch

3:00 Movement
3:30 Teisho (Dharma Talk)
4:30 Zazen
5:20 Chanting Service

5:30 Dinner

7:00 Zazen
9:20 Formal Tea/Closing Chant/Zazen

Sunday Morning

6:00 Zazen/Closing Remarks

7:00 Closing Circle

10:00 Sunday Program Chanting Service/Zazen

11:30 Dharma Talk

 

Leaders:
Jan Chozen Bays, Roshi
Hogen Bays, Roshi
Amy Kisei, Sensei