Jizo Sesshin
September 6 - 11, 2022
Monday 5pm to Sunday 1pm
This retreat will focus on the qualities of Jizo Bodhisattva, guardian of all that comes from the earth, and Jizo’s qualities – benevolence, optimism, fearlessness, determination, and vow. A unique element of this retreat is the inclusion of time devoted to art projects, creative time, and a slide show and talk about Jizo.
As part of our practice, we will be making small Jizo-related items.
For those who are attending the retreat via zoom, please acquire a few supplies for rock-painting and sculpting a Jizo:
A rock-painting kit. Here are a couple relatively inexpensive examples of a rock-painting kit for under $20 at Amazon, or Michael’s
All you really need is some acrylic paint, some paint brushes, and rocks. A black or metallic sharpie marker can also be useful.
Sculpey clay. Sculpey is a bakeable polymer clay available at any craft store or even at some supermarkets in the art supplies aisle. You can get a set of a few colors, or just one color, as you can also paint it. Modeling clay works well too.
Sesshin is a rigorous and, at times, challenging silent meditation retreat that is not recommended for beginners. In order to attend in person, we require that you attend one of our silent weekend retreats or a five-seven day silent retreat at another Zen Center before registering for our longer zen retreats. For more information about what to expect when attending a sesshin, click here.
Proof of vaccination and booster is required to attend events at Great Vow Zen Monastery. For the latest on our health policies click here.
Very Approximate Schedule 🙂
Monday Night
7:30 Orientation
8:30 Zazen/Opening Talk
Tuesday – Saturday
5:30 Zazen
6:50 Chanting Service
7:30 Breakfast
9:00 Work Practice
11:30 Zazen
12:50 Chanting Service
1:00 Lunch
3:00 Slideshow or Art Practice
5:20 Chanting Service
5:30 Dinner
7:00 Zazen
9:30 Formal Tea/Closing Chant/Zazen
Sunday Morning
6:00 Zazen/Closing Remarks
7:00 Closing Circle
SUNDAY:
10:00 Sunday Program Chanting Service/Zazen
11:30 Dharma Talk
![]() | Jan Chozen Bays, Roshi |
![]() | Laura Jomon Martin |