Rohatsu is traditionally the most intensive sesshin of the year, commemorating the Buddha’s enlightenment under the bodhi tree. Sesshin means "touching the heart/mind" - since the time of the Buddha practitioners have gathered in community during the rainy season to deepen their practice and touch the true nature of Mind.
This sesshin will conclude our 9-week practice period, with a traditional rohatsu ceremony to celebrate the Buddha’s enlightenment. Please join the Mountain Rain sangha for this seven-day residential retreat, led by Myoshin Kate McCandless and Shinmon Michael Newton, with shuso Myosen River Shannon, in the beautiful natural surroundings of Brew Creek Centre.
Sesshin Resources
CHANT BOOK HERE MEAL CHANT HERE DAILY SERVICES LIST HERE
The daily schedule HERE
To add a name to be chanted during our well-being and memorial dedication services, please click button:
Online registration
For those attending online HERE is the Zoom Link to join the cloud zendo at Brew Creek. (Meeting ID: 861 2715 9631 Passcode: 024586)
Full participation in the schedule is expected. Personal modifications to the schedule can be arranged to accommodate special needs, in dialogue with the teachers and ino (head of zendo) at the retreat. Please note special needs on your registration form, and check in with the ino at the beginning of the retreat if you have any questions or concerns about the schedule.
Zazen: sitting meditation (approximately 6 hours per day) indoor and outdoor
Kinhin: walking meditation, indoor and outdoor
Dharma talks daily by MRZC guiding teachers and the shuso
Oryoki: formal meals in the Japanese Zen tradition (orientation provided)
Formal afternoon tea service in the zendo
Dokusan: individual meetings with teachers
Samu: work practice to maintain the community
Meditation Experience
We recommend that you have some meditation experience prior to participating in this retreat. You are welcome and encouraged to join Mountain Rain Zen Community for an orientation at one of our regular Wednesday evening or Sunday morning sits. Practitioners from other traditions are warmly welcome. Please inquire if you have any questions about whether this retreat is right for you.
Meals
Three delicious vegetarian meals are provided daily, as well as coffee, tea, and snacks. We are happy to accommodate special dietary restrictions providing you advise us in advance through your registration. Thank you for your understanding.
We will use the traditional Zen monastic style of eating using oryoki bowls. Instructions will be provided. If you do not have your own oryoki set you may rent one from Mountain Rain Zen. Please be sure to pay the oryoki fee when you register to reserve your set.
