retreats

JOIN US. Throughout the year Hokoji hosts a multi-day Zen retreat with a consistent schedule that creates a deep, quiet container for zazen (sitting meditation) practice. Practitioners are invited to allow the mind to rest in its natural state and enter a shared silence that opens the heart and allows for a higher awareness to arise and grow. The Japanese word for retreat is Sesshin which means to collect the heart/mind. During these retreats we devote every aspect of the day to the realization of the Buddha Way.  Registration is required for all retreats.

UPCOMING 7-DAY SESSHIN

Our next 7-day sesshin will take place September 15th - 21st. Registration will open in August - please check back here or join our mailing list for updates.

7-day sesshins begins with practitioner arrivals / welcome, orientation (Oryoki instruction, sign-ups, etc), and evening meditation. Each day consists of sitting (zazen) and walking (kinhin) meditation, service and chanting, personal interviews with the teacher, work practice (samu), and informal afternoon tea. Meals are taken through the practice of Oryoki --a mindful way of eating that provides an opportunity to deepen our practice. An example 7-day retreat schedule can be viewed here.

All meals served during sesshin are vegetarian and gluten-free. A set menu will be posted by the tenzo at the beginning of the retreat. We will do our best to consider food allergies, though participants with special dietary needs should plan to bring / prep their own meals.

The expected donation to attend a retreat if lodging at Hokoji is $65/day per person, which covers expenses including electricity and utilities, food, refreshments, and overnight accommodations.   $45/day per person is the expected donation if attending daily and partaking in meals, but not lodging at Hokoji.  Please contact us to discuss a sliding scale if you are in need.  

When making your online donation, please specify in the message that it is for sesshin.