Rohatsu Sesshin – Buddha’s Enlightenment Retreat

Rohatsu Sesshin is a 7-day retreat in commemoration of the Buddha’s Enlightenment. It is an opportunity to come together to support each other in deepening our practice, to diligently care for and collect body and mind, and to discover anew, clarify, and actualize our ultimate concern.

Our time together will include components of traditional Zen training:

  • Zazen (seated meditation)
  • Kinhin (walking meditation)
  • Bowing and chanting practice
  • Oryoki training, with breakfast, lunch and supper served in the zendo
  • Dharma talks about our practice
  • A period of mindful work practice
  • Opportunities to meet one-on-one with our teachers to discuss your practice.

Participants are encouraged to attend the full retreat schedule, but partial days are possible. Please be clear about what your intention and commitment is.

The Friday evening oryoki review, orientation, and evening zazen is mandatory but requires no payment. Buddha’s Enlightenment Ceremony (open to the public) will be on Saturday. 

Please complete your retreat APPLICATION & REGISTER no later than Tuesday, December 3rd.

If you are unable to sit sesshin, but wish to support those who are, please consider offering to cook or bring in food for the retreatants. We would happily receive up to 7 soups (2 ½-3 G), salads, and/or cookies! Please contact our Administrator, Julie Strahan, if you would like to support the Rohatsu Sesshin in this way.

Program Fees:

  • Full retreat – $425 for members/$650 for non-members (partial attendance may be possible, see below), which includes oryoki meals (breakfast lunch and supper) in the zendo.
  • Partial attendance by day: $75/$100 (members/non-members). 
  • Oryoki bowl rentals are $10 ($45 for purchase).
  • Limited dorm lodging may be available ($30/night) for those who wish to spend the week in residence. Priority will be given to Practice Period participants.

As always, AZC is committed to making the teachings available to everyone. To request financial assistance from our Scholarship Fund, or if you would like to donate to the Fund for others to be able to participate, please call Julie Strahan at 512-452-5777.