Rohatsu Retreat Schedule 2020

All times are listed in Pacific Time.

Monday, Dec. 7th

Communal Practice
7:00pm………Zazen
7:20pm………Kinhin
7:30pm………Zazen + Retreat Welcome
7:50pm………Kinhin
8:00pm………Zazen
8:20pm………Kinhin
8:30pm………Zazen
8:50pm………Closing Chant (Metta Sutta)
9:00pm………End of Communal Practice

Personal Practice
After the end of evening practice, if it’s compatible with those you live with, try to maintain “noble silence” – no speaking unless absolutely necessary – until after zazen the following morning. Ideally, go to bed; this helps you carry the stillness of zazen into sleep. If unable to go to bed, sit more zazen, do walking or reclining meditation, read some Dharma material, or do some journaling.

Tuesday, Dec. 8th – Saturday, Dec. 12th

Communal Practice
6:30am………Zazen
6:55am………Posture Adjustment/Zazen
7:20am………Kinhin
7:30am………Zazen
7:55am………Posture Adjustment/Zazen
8:20am………Chanting Service (Chant along, but keep yourself muted; it doesn’t work to chant together on Zoom. Click here for a copy of the chanting service.)
8:30am………Break for breakfast prep
8:45am………Formal Breakfast (Oryoki optional;* click here for a copy of our meal chant.)

Personal Practice
9:15am………Break, Cleanup
9:30am………Silent Work Practice (Choose something simple, physical, and restorative to do, like cleaning, sewing, or gardening. Also take this time to prepare your lunch. Set a timer for yourself so you can work without looking at the clock. When the timer goes off, immediately stop your work and clean up.)
11:15am…….End work, prepare for zazen

Communal Practice
11:30am…….Zazen
11:55am…….Kinhin
12:05pm…….Zazen
12:30pm…….Break for lunch prep
12:45pm…….Formal Lunch (Oryoki optional;* click here for a copy of our meal chant.)

Personal Practice
1:00pm…….Break, Cleanup
1:30pm…….Rest (Spend this time taking a nap or doing something very quiet and relaxing – take a leisurely walk, read some Dharma material, or just sit in the sun or listen to the rain.)
2:30pm…….Exercise (Do your personal exercise routine at this time, or at least take a vigorous walk.)

Communal Practice
3:30pm…….Afternoon Recitation (Genjokoan)
3:40pm…….Zazen
4:00pm…….Kinhin
4:10pm…….Zazen
4:30pm…….Kinhin
4:40pm…….Zazen
5:00pm…….Kinhin
5:10pm…….Zazen
5:30pm…….End zazen, dinner break

Personal Practice
Although dinner is on your own, try to maintain silence and stillness throughout this period. Take care of other life responsibilities as necessary but try to stay offline if you can, and avoid getting too caught up in busyness.

Communal Practice
7:00pm………Zazen
7:20pm………Kinhin
7:30pm………Zazen + Teisho (Encouragement talk given during zazen)
7:50pm………Kinhin
8:00pm………Zazen
8:20pm………Kinhin
8:30pm………Zazen
8:50pm………Closing Chant (Metta Sutta)
9:00pm………End of Communal Practice

Sunday, Dec. 13th

Communal Practice
6:30am………Zazen
6:55am………Posture Adjustment/Zazen
7:20am………Retreat Closing Circle
8:00am………Retreat Ends

Bright Way Zen will hold its Sunday morning practice as usual, starting at 9:30am Pacific.

* Note on oryoki – If you have an oryoki set and want to use it, the following is recommended. There will not be time during the formal meal ceremony dedicated to the usual process of washing up.

Open and lay out your oryoki set ahead of time on a tray.
Serve your food into your oryoki bowls in your kitchen, and cover them as necessary to keep food warm.
Bring the tray with your oryoki and food to your meditation seat and wait for the meal to begin.
Chant along with the meal verse and eat afterwards.
When you are done eating, go ahead and clean your bowls with your spatula.
After the formal meal has ended, go wash your oryoki bowls and package them back up again.