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.
Hokoji will host shorter-length seasonal sesshins throughout the year, with the following upcoming dates:
July 27th - 29th
October 19th - 21st
These 2-day retreats begin with practitioner arrival / welcome and orientation (sign-ups for timekeeping, etc), and meditation. Each day consists of sitting (zazen) and walking (kinhin) meditation, chanting, and work practice. Meals will be served in the house. View and example 2-day retreat schedule here.
Our longer 7-day sesshin 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. The retreat ends with an informal late breakfast / clean-up / farewells. An example 7-day retreat schedule can be viewed here.
Our next 7-day sesshin will take place this September 15th - 21st. Registration will for the retreat will open in August.
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.