Buddha's Enlightenment Sesshin (Rohatsu)

Thursday December 01, 7:00pm - Sunday December 04, 9:00am Red Cedar Dharma Hall Fee: $40 – $80 (plus dana, voluntary teacher support) Every year in December Zen Buddhists around the world celebrate the enlightenment of the Buddha with sesshin (formal meditation retreat). This year's sesshin will be as last years as a 2-and-a-half days long and a combined sesshin with Seattle Soto Zen. The sesshin starts with an orientation and evening of zazen on Thursday night Dec 1st. Then continues with regular 6am - 9pm sesshin days on Friday and Saturday. Saturday night is an optional all-night sit (traditional in rohatsu sesshin) and the retreat concludes on Sunday morning with a 6am-9am practice session including the Buddha's Enlightenment Ceremony and informal breakfast. The practice of sesshin is a powerful opportunity - watching the sun rise in the morning and set in the evening from your seat in the zendo. Sitting a full day is do-able with a little training and experience. Each day includes alternating sitting and walking meditation, Dharma Talks, optional private meetings with the teachers, meals, breaks, and afternoon tea. Nomon Tim Burnett of Red Cedar Zen and Eko Jeff Kelley of Seattle Soto Zen will co-lead the sesshin offering dharma talks and private interviews. Practice discussion may also be available with Red Cedar Zen lay teachers Yuzan Nancy Welch and Seishu John Wiley. General Daily schedule: Early morning - 6am - 8:45am: zazen, kinhin & service, oryoki breakfast Morning - 9:30am - 1:00pm: zazen, kinhin, dharma talk, service, oryoki lunch Afternoon - 2pm - 6pm: zazen, kinhin, tea, zazen, oryoki dinner Evening - 7pm - 9pm: zazen, kinhin, encouraging words, refuge chant Detailed schedule from last year's retreat is available at the workgroups site. There will be three oryoki (formal three-bowl) meals each day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Oryoki training is included and can also be arranged in advance and oryoki sets are available to borrow or purchase ($40) at the Dharma Hall. Out of town (and even local!) participants are invited to stay the night at the Dharma Hall and we have some spaces with sangha members' homes for spending the night. Overnight accommodation is worked out as part of the registration process. Part time attendance is fine but please come to an entire "block" of time together. Please indicate during registration what your attendance needs are.

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