Open Gate Sesshin Schedule

Open Gate Zendo 2011 Summer Sesshin and Ordination

The time is near for the Open Gate 2011 Summer Sesshin and Ordination Ceremony. The Sesshin will held on Saturday and Sunday July 23rd & 24th with the Ordination ceremony beginning Saturday at 11:00 am (followed by a pot luck lunch and social period). Attendees are welcome to come Friday evening and spend the night in the Zendo as well. Attendees arriving in the morning should arrive by 7:00. Below is the two day schedule.  Guests coming only to the Ordination and potluck social should arrive between 10:30 and 11:00.
      
Ordination Ceremony

This summer we will be welcoming four new members into the Order of the Boundless Way; George Walczak, Ron Brickey, Matt Lawther and Nick Crowther-Wilton, will all officially receive their Buddhist names and the vestments of our clerical order (Nick's ordination in England-see previous postings).  With Ron and George coming to Open Gate from across country and Matt coming all the way from Australia, it would be nice to have full attendance so that they will get to meet as many of our sangha members as possible. Everyone is encouraged to come for the ordination ceremony to meet our new brethren, even if they are unable to attend the full sesshin. (Small gifts and/or cards from sangha members to the new initiates are welcome)

If you have not done so already, please send an e-mail opengatezendo@msn.com  in order to confirm your attending between now and Wednesday July 20th.  As usual we need an accurate head count for planning and buying food stuffs.

If you would like more information about this sesshin or the ordination, please feel free to contact to contact Miles at- opengatezendo@msn.com
       

Saturday Schedule

Morning Session

6:30 Wake-up bell

7:00 Non-residents Arrive (Chosho -morning bell tolled 9 times)

7:15-Call to Zazen (Plank drum (Han) roll)

7:30-8:00 One period of Zazen

8:00-8:05 Incense Ceremony (Remain standing to exit Zendo)

8:05-9:00 Casual breakfast and social time (in Hojo)

9:00-9:15 Break and kitchen cleanup

Second Morning Session

9:00- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

9:15-9:45 One periods of Zazen

9:45-10:45 Samu (Arrange Zendo for Ordination Ceremony)

10:45  Han Roll (Call to Ordination ceremony)

11:00-12:00 Ordination Ceremony

12:00-1:30  Potluck Lunch and Social Time (Cards and Gifts)

1:30 Han roll (announcing end of lunch and social time)

1:30 – 2:00 Samu (Clean up and return Zendo to original configuration)

Afternoon Session

2:00- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

2:15-3:30 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

3:30-4:30  Angya practice. (Monk procession walk)

4:30- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

4:45-5:15 One period Zazen

5:15- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for Dinner- bring out trays

5:30-6:15 Dinner ceremony (Oryoki)

6:15-6:40 Break and kitchen cleanup

Evening Session

6:30- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

6:45-8:00 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

8:00-8:10- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for tea, bring out trays

8:10-8:50 Tea ceremony & Dharma talk by  Matt Lawther

8:55- Closing ceremony

9:00- Daily Closing- Konsho (striking the evening bell) tolled 9 times

9:00- Prepare for bed or non-residents leave for the night.

Sunday Schedule

Morning Session

6:30 Wake-up bell

7:00 Non-residents Arrive (Chosho -morning bell tolled 9 times)

7:15-Call to Zazen (Plank drum (Han) roll)

7:30-8:00 One period of Zazen (Chosan- first morning meditation)

8:00-8:05 Incense Ceremony

8:05- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for lunch- bring out trays

8:15-9:00 Breakfast ceremony (Oryoki)

9:00-9:15 Break and kitchen cleanup

Second Morning Session

9:15- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

9:30-10:45 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

9:30-10:45 Dokusan (one on one meeting with the teacher) by rotation.

10:45-11:45 Samu (work and/or exercise/rest period)

11:45 Han Roll

12:00-12:30 One Period Zazen

12:30- 12:40 Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for lunch- bring out trays

12:40-1:30 Lunch ceremony (Oryoki)

Afternoon Session

1:30-2:00 Break and kitchen cleanup

1:45- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

2:00-3:15 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

3:15-3:30 Short Break

3:30-4:30 Tea ceremony, Teisho/Group Discussion

4:30-Closing - Konsho (striking the evening bell) tolled 9 times