>> REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED <<

The tradition of the intensive practice period goes back to the time of the Buddha when, during the rainy season, the Buddha and his disciples gathered in one place to meditate and study together. As our own rainy season approaches here in the Pacific Northwest, we will hold our 23rd annual Mountain Rain practice period.

In Zen monasteries intensive practice periods traditionally last for three months, but ours is shorter, designed to support participants to intensify and strengthen their practice while living in the midst of family and work responsibilities. This year's practice period will be led by Guiding Teachers Myoshin Kate McCandless. and Shinmon Michael Newton and our theme will be Koans of the Book of Serenity.

Suggested reading list PDF: Click here

This collection of ancient teaching stories and dialogues was compiled in the thirteenth century by the Chinese Soto Zen monk Wansong, We will explore ways to practice with koans with a Soto Zen sensibility. We will also consider Dogen’s commentaries on some of these koans.

Kate and Michael will lead the opening weekend sesshin October 12-15, which will begin on Thursday evening with a shuso-entering ceremony.  Practice period will culminate with our first ever rohatsu sesshin, December 1-8, at Brew Creek Centre, led by our guiding teachers. Sesshin follows the ancient rhythms of the monastic daily schedule, including meals with oryoki, the traditional three bowls used by Zen monks.

On Wednesday evenings we will follow our usual dharma seminar format, and Sundays will include a dharma talk and chanting service, as usual. Our practice period shuso will take turns with the guiding teachers offering talks. In addition, Myoshin Kate will offer a dharma seminar on Thursday evenings on Koans of Sickness, Old Age and Death.

During practice period, the shuso or "head monk" is a long-time practitioner whose role is to support the sangha by offering a weekly dharma seminar, giving several talks, meeting for tea with participants, and cleaning washrooms, a traditional practice of humility. 

This year, we are happy to welcome Daikan John Green as shuso. He will give a Way-Seeking Mind talk at the opening weekend retreat, and contribute dharma talks during the practice period.

Shuso’s statement: I began my formal non-residential lay zen practice in 1997 at Chobo-Ji, a Rinzai temple in Seattle and after receiving jukai I became known in the community as Daikan. This was my first true refuge, a community that was non-judgmental and supportive. I was ordained in 2015 by Genjo Marinello Osho. I also explored other Zen related traditions/lineages and this led to meetings with Norman Fischer. In addition, I began sitting with Seattle Soto Zen, which was then led by Eko Jeff Kelly. After many years of attending week-long sesshins, I attended a three-week intensive at SFZC Green Gulch and found it to be another place of community. Around this time, I connected with Shinmon Michael Newton, and began a formal teacher-student relationship which led to a practice period at Green Gulch. In June of 2022 I received Soto ordination from Shinmon Michael Newton and then participated in two practice periods at Tassajara. My experience at Tassajara deepened my practice, not only in zazen but in community. By this time Mountain Rain Zen was engaged in the transfer of the Sherbrooke Street temple and in May of 2023 I became a resident priest. Outside of Zen practice, I am comfortable in the mountains and on the water, hiking, scrambling, and sea kayaking. These activities support my practice as well as the practice supporting these activities. 

 How to Participate

There are no specific requirements for participation, though we encourage you to register (see below). It helps to structure your practice period and affirm your commitment. Various possible components are listed below as suggestions. Please take into consideration your family and work commitments and decide what commitments from the list below will best nourish your practice. 

• Home sitting practice

• Practice at the zendo and/or on Zoom

• Dokusan (individual meetings) with Mountain Rain’s teachers and practice discussion with sangha leaders. (See below)

• Participation in a practice period dyad/triad (See below)

• Participation in practice period retreats

• Participation in weekly Wednesday evening dharma seminars

• "Zen Arts" practice (This can be broadly defined as any art/craft practiced with mindful awareness)

• Family and/or work as practice

• Engaged Buddhist practice (service/activism)

• Commitment to simplify or restrict personal lifestyle

• Specific personal mindfulness practices

Practice Period Dyads/Triads

We'd like to encourage local and long-distance participants to join a Practice Period Dyad/Triad. This is a small group of two or three people who will meet, in-person, by phone or Zoom,  at the beginning, mid-point and end of the practice period for discussion and support. If you would like to join a dyad/triad please sign up on the registration form below. You can form a group with someone you know, or we'd be happy to match you up.

Particularly if you are relatively new to practice we can match you with 1-2 other new people and one of our practice leaders. Please request this upon registration.

Dokusan

Discussion with guiding teachers Shinmon Michael and Myoshin Kate about your practice will be offered in-person at the zendo, or by phone or Zoom. If you would like to schedule a phone/Zoom dokusan please contact teachers@mountainrainzen.org and the teacher will contact you to arrange a time. 

Practice Discussion

Practice discussion will be offered by phone or Zoom practice leaders, Nin-en Susan Elbe, Dai-I Flo Rublee, and Jikai Vicki Turay, all of whom have been shuso for a past practice period. To schedule a practice discussion, please contact the individual practice leader if you already know their email, or contact info@mountainrainzen.org and specify who you would like to contact.

Dana

Dana is an ancient Pali word that means generosity. It is an important part of our practice and has many aspects, one of which is supporting teachers so that they can give their time and energy to sharing the dharma with the sangha. Dana is completely voluntary and the amount is up to your discernment, considering your circumstances. Dana to the teachers may be made by e-transfer, cheques sent to 29582 Berg Ave, Mission, BC V4S 1B9, or Paypal using the link on the website Teacher Dana page.

Dana to practice leaders can be made by e-transfer to their personal email, or by cheque sent to Mountain Rain Zen Community 2016 Wall St. Vancouver, BC V5L 1B1.

Registration - CLOSED

The registration form below will help you plan your practice period and clarify your intentions in advance. Anyone is welcome to participate in the events during practice period, but if you register as a participant, it will affirm your overall commitment. During practice period you will receive weekly newsletter with updates, resources and suggestions for discussion. Participants are invited to send in reflections, questions, photos, or poems to share with other participants, and we’ll post them in the newsletter.

Practice period is a wonderful way to strengthen and nourish your practice, supported by the sangha. We hope you’ll be able to participate in whatever way is best for you.