WEBZ Sesshin Information and Registration

Please note that Dirt Zendo & Cloud Zendo Registrations are now closed.

Join us for our annual joint Sesshin retreat with Wy’East Zen Center. We are renting a beautiful retreat space out of town (Hull Park & Lodge, right outside Sandy, Oregon) with lodging and a kitchen, and sesshin participation will also be possible online (in our Cloud Zendo). Note that the Sesshin Zoom is not the same as the regular Bright Way Zen Zoom; you will receive the Sesshin Zoom link when you register.

Sesshin Description and Participation Options
Dirt Zendo/Pacific Time Zone Schedule
Cloud Zendo Sesshin Schedule (Translated into 8 Time Zones) (pdf)
Sesshin Registration Form

Quicklinks for those participating in the Cloud Zendo Sesshin:

Sesshin Schedule (8 Time Zones)
Sesshin Schedule (Pacfic Time Zone)
Cloud Zendo Retreat Guidelines
Chants:
Morning Chanting Service
Oryoki Meal Chant – Breakfast & Lunch
Oryoki Meal Chant – Dinner
Video of Oryoki Form
Work Chant
Afternoon Recitation
Evening Chant (Metta Sutta)

SESSHIN DESCRIPTION & PARTICIPATION OPTIONS

Attendance Options

Full-time participation is strongly encouraged, this is a precious opportunity! On Monday, March 20th, the Dirt Zendo retreat begins with arrival and dinner between 4 and 6pm (Pacific Time) and the Cloud Zendo retreat begins with zazen at 7pm Pacific. Click here for the sesshin schedule translated into 8 different time zones. Sesshin ends before noon on Friday, March 24th.

Part-time Participation Options:
Part-time participation in the Cloud Zendo: Attend any days or parts of the schedule you choose. Note that the Sesshin Zoom is not the same as the regular Bright Way Zen Zoom; you will receive the Sesshin Zoom link when you register.
Part-time participation in the Dirt Zendo (at the retreat facility): You may arrive Monday between 4 and 6pm, Tuesday between 6 and 7pm, or Wednesday between 6 and 7pm. After you arrive, it is expected you will stay at the retreat facility and participate in the full daily schedule.

Covid Measures

We ask that all participants in the Dirt Zendo are fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID 19, unless there are medical reasons that isn’t possible for you. In addition, Dirt Zendo participants will be asked to test negative via a rapid COVID test upon arrival at sesshin (bring a test if you can, but we will have some extras), and to stay home and participate via the Cloud Zendo instead if they have/develop any cold or flu-like symptoms. Masks will be optional.

Coming from Out of Town?

We’re hoping that Bright Way Zen Sangha Members who do not live locally and usually participate via our Cloud Zendo will be able to join us in three dimensions for our annual sesshin! Please let us know if you are planning to come from out of town; we should be able to arrange transportation and accommodations before and after the retreat as necessary. Also let us know if you need financial help covering travel costs, we hope to provide some crowd-funded assistance as needed!

Sesshin Cost

Dirt Zendo: Minimum suggested donation is $350, which allows us to break even given facility rental and food costs. However, we want anyone to be able to participate regardless of financial situation, so please register and pay what you can without hardship (according to our Suggestion Donation policy). If you can donate more in order to help cover the needs of others, it is much appreciated.

Cloud Zendo: Suggested donation for full time participation is $100 (but see our Suggestion Donation policy). Donate what you feel is right for part time participation.

Sesshin Registration

Complete the form, which can be found below the schedule.

SESSHIN SCHEDULE (may change slightly)

Zazen*Zazen means 20-25 minutes of zazen, followed by posture adjustment, followed by 20-25 minutes of zazen – Times in Pacific Time. Joining us in the Cloud Zendo? For the Sesshin Schedule translated into 8 different time zones, click here!

Monday evening:

4-6pm…….Arrival, check-in
5-6:00……..Dinner available
6:00 ……….Oryoki Instruction available

7:00………..Zazen
7:25………..Kinhin
7:35………..Zazen – Evening Teisho (encouraging words from teacher)
8:00………..Kinhin (Silver Dragons – those 60 or over – or those with health issues can go to bed at this time if they chose)
8:10………..Zazen
8:30………..Kinhin
8:40………..Zazen
9:00………..Closing Chant (Metta Sutta)
9:10………..To bed

Joining us from another time zone?

Click here for the Sesshin Schedule Translated into Eight Different Time Zones

The link above goes to a Google Spreadsheet.
Click here for a pdf copy of the Eight Time Zone schedule for printing.

Tuesday-Thursday:

5:10……….Wake-up bell

5:40am…..Zazen*Zazen (Posture Adjustment Bell 6:05)
6:30……….Kinhin (Silver Dragons – those 60 or over – or those with health issues can arrive in the Zendo during/after kinhin if they chose)
6:40……….Zazen*Zazen (Posture Adjustment Bell 7:05)
7:30……….Morning Chanting Service

8:00……….Oryoki breakfast (Meal Chant)
8:40……….Meal cleanup
9:00……….Work period (Work Chant)
10:30………End work period

11:00………Zazen
11:25………Kinhin
11:35………Zazen
11:55………Kinhin
12:05pm….Zazen

12:30………Oryoki Lunch (Meal Chant)
1:10………..Meal cleanup, Rest Period
2:45………..End rest period

3:00………..Evening Service – Fukanzazengi
3:10………..Zazen*Zazen (Posture Adjustment Bell 3:35)
4:00………..Mindful Movement (outdoor kinhin or gentle guided yoga in zendo)
4:30………..Zazen

5:00………..Oryoki Dinner (Meal Chant – Dinner)
5:40………..Meal cleanup, break

7:00………..Zazen
7:25………..Kinhin
7:35………..Zazen
8:00………..Kinhin (Silver Dragons – those 60 or over – or those with health issues can go to bed at this time if they chose)
8:10………..Zazen
8:30………..Kinhin
8:40………..Zazen
9:00………..Formal Tea, Closing Chant (Metta Sutta)
9:20………..To bed

Friday:

5:10……….Wake-up bell

8:00……….Oryoki breakfast (Meal Chant)
8:40……….Kitchen cleanup

9:15……….Closing Circle
10:30……….Work period (silence is lifted; packing, cleaning)
11:30………Retreat Closing Ceremony and Dedication to Retreat Center
12:00p……Retreat ends