Winter Sesshin 2018 January 13-15

As most people are aware, the Chinese year is based on a Lunar Calendar.  Being slightly misaligned  with our Western Solar Calendar, the Chinese New Year usually begins sometime in and/or about February. This typically makes our January the 12 month of the Chinese year. This Lunar Calendar was the same calendar in use in China and Japan when, in the Zen Tradition, it is said that the Buddha became enlightened. The observance of the Buddha's awakening became known as Rohatsu which simply means 12th month - 8th day (of the Lunar Calendar) and is still observed by this accounting by many traditional Zen temples and monasteries in the Far East.

As a matter of long standing tradition, Winter Sesshin at Open Gate Zendo has been held in January to coincide with the Martin Luther King holiday weekend. Not only to pay homage to both the traditional dates of Rohatsu and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, but to free up December for those of us who also observe the holiday traditions of the West.

Practice begins at 7:30 am Saturday January 13th and runs through Monday, January 15th.  The three day practice schedule will include the our annual Martin Luther King Jr. Silent Peace Walk (Olympia’s Capitol Lake, Marathon Park starting at noon Sunday). 

Anyone wanting to arrive early is welcome to come Friday evening and spend the night in the Zendo. Attendees arriving in the morning should try to arrive by 7:00.  There will be an informal breakfast with social time Saturday morning, but otherwise we will be following our traditional silent sesshin schedule and etiquette.

There is no fee for attending, but as usual, contributions for food and to help pay for supplies and heating costs would be greatly appreciated. Mattresses will be provided for those who wish to remain in residence for their duration at sesshin and showers will be made available.

    

Please e-mail; opengatezendo@msn.com with any questions and/or to confirm your plans to attend, we need an accurate head count for buying food stuffs.

2018 Winter Sesshin

Saturday Schedule (1/13)

First 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

8:05-9:00 Informal Breakfast and kitchen cleanup (in Hojo)

9:00-9:15 Sesshin Introduction and Instructions

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.

10:45-12:30 Samu (work and/or exercise/rest period)

12:30- Call to Lunch (Han roll)

12:15- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for lunch- bring out trays

12:45-1:45 Lunch ceremony (Oryoki)

1:45-2:10 Break and kitchen cleanup

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)

6:15-6:30 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 & Teisho (teaching) and/or Dharma Discussion.

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  (1/14)

First 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 breakfast - bring out trays

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

9:00-9:25 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.

11:15-1:15 Angya practice. (MLK Silent procession walk Capitol Lake)

1:15-3:30  Hosted Sangha Lunch in Olympia.

Afternoon Session

3:30- Call to Zazen (time adjusted to return time)

3:45-5:00 Two periods of Zazen alternated with Kinhin

5:00- 5:30 Work and/or exercise/rest period (may be adjusted for schedule)

5:15- Call to Zendo (Han roll)

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 & Teisho (teaching) and/or Dharma Discussion.

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.

Monday Schedule (1/15)

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 breakfast - 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)

Afternoon Session
11:45 Han Roll

12:00-12:30 One Period Zazen

12:30- 12:45 Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for lunch- bring out trays

12:45-1:30 Lunch ceremony (Oryoki)

1:30-2:00 Break and kitchen cleanup

1:45- Call to Zazen (Han roll)

2:00-2:30 One periods of Zazen 

2:30-2:45 Short Break

2:45-3:30 Tea ceremony, Teisho/Group Discussion
3:35-Closing - Konsho (striking the evening bell) tolled 9 times

Fall Retreat at Mt. Adams Actual Dates October 13th -15th

Please Note: I have Corrected the Dates for the Fall Retreat at Mount Adams. Apparently my time travels have left me calendar challenged.  Miles

Fall Retreat Mt. Adams Zen Temple October 13-15th

It has become our Autumn tradition to have a joint Sangha retreat at the beautiful Mount Adams Zen Temple.  On the weekend of October 13th-15th, we will be combining efforts with the Mount Adams Zen community in conducting blended retreat format that combines the Mount Adams Zen Temple practices with our own traditional Boundless Way style sesshin.

Many members of our extended sangha have had the opportunity to practice at Mount Adams and are aware of the subtle differences in style, while for others this will be a new experience.  Mount Adams Zen Temple is in the Vietnamese Zen tradition and carries many of the nuances of this heritage, just as our practice carries the nuances of the Japanese tradition.

Since both our communities are modern Western descendants of Zen, neither Japanese or Vietnamese, we are not bound to any specific ethnic style of practice.  The combination of old traditions holds many promises in the development of a “Contemporary  Zen” form that is not of any specific tradition, other than the tradition of Zen itself.

Due to the logistics of conducting this sesshin away from home we need to know how many people are planning to attend,  please remember to “register” by sending an e-mail to: opengatezendo@msn.com to confirm your attendance.  Even though overnight accommodations will be indoors, please prepare yourself as if you were going on a camping trip, with sleeping bags and personal items.  For the most part we will be sleeping barracks style and meals will be provided within the retreat schedule.

It is recommended that you arrive Friday night to take full advantage of the full day schedule on Saturday.

If you want to reserve and rent a room at Trout Lake Abbey call: (509) 395-2030

For more information about Mount Adams Zen Center go to:  http://www.mtadamszen.org/

Friday Evening Schedule
5:30-6:30 Gathering and Casual Dinner
6:30 -7:30 Mt Adams Evening Service


Saturday Schedule
5:45  Metta Practice
6:15 One period of seated meditation
6:45 Informal Breakfast
7:30 Clean up break period
8:00 Orientation for Retreat
9:00 Morning Service
10:00  Samu (work period)
11:45  Two periods of meditation divided by walking meditation
1:00 Lunch- Soto style Oryoki
2:00 Clean up and Break
3:45 Two periods of meditation w/walking meditation & private meeting with teacher
5:00 Half hour of walking meditation (outside)
5:30 Dinner-Soto style Oryoki
6:30 Clean up and break
7:00 Metta Practice
7:30 One period of seated meditation
8:00 Tea and Dharma talk
9:00 Time for Bed

Sunday Schedule
5:45  Metta Practice
6:15 Two periods of seated meditation divided by walking meditation
7:30 Informal Breakfast
8:30 Clean up
9:00 Morning Service
10:00 Samu (work period)
11:30 Two periods of meditation w/walking meditation  & private meeting with teacher
12:45 Lunch-Soto style Oryoki
1:45 Clean up and Break
2:45 One period seated meditation
3:15 Tea and Group discussion
4:15 Retreat Ends

2017 Summer Sesshin Aug 26th-27th

This years Summer Sesshin/Ordination will be divided by two venues. Saturday (Aug. 26th) will be at Open Gate. While Sunday (Aug. 27th) we be held at the Clouds and Water Island Hermitage.

Those who can arrive at Open Gate on Friday are welcome to stay in the Zendo, and can either stay Saturday night at Open Gate or go early to the Island and camp out there. Our Island schedule has to be arranged around the ferry schedule (and fees) so keep this in mind when planning.

See the ferry schedule here: 
(http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/index.aspx?NID=2200&PREVIEW=YES). 

At the ordination we will be welcoming three new members into our greater Sangha from all across the country. Chis Price from Alexandria Virginia, Richard Fagan from Kansas City Missouri, and last but not least, Dharma Brother and long time Desert Zen Center Sangha member, Eric Reed from Big Bear, California.

Saturday's activities at Open Gate will also be modified to accommodate this wonderfully evolving nature of our growing Sangha. It will be a shortened schedule, leaving the afternoon open. (Please note that the entire schedule may be modified according to need.) We will have a number of guests from our greater Sangha who will be traveling from Virginia, Missouri, California and Oregon. Our affiliations with- Mount Adams Zen Center, The Desert Zen Center, Plum Mountain, and Mountain Way, have really expanded our family and we are honored to have people coming here from all directions.

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)
2:00 Guest Teacher Dharma Talk
3:00 Konsho (closing bell)

It is important to note that our our affiliations have not only expanded our Sangha to include Mount Adams Zen Center and the Desert Zen Center, but that these groups are bringing some of the flavor of their practice to our group, in the same way we have introduced the flavor or our practice to theirs. Therefore this years ordination ceremony will reflect these affiliations much like our Order of Hsu Yun services have done in the past.  I think everyone will enjoy the extra festivities.

Sunday on the Island at the Clouds and Water Hermitage will likewise be a shortened schedule with practice in the morning, a casual picnic style lunch and a mostly open afternoon. For a full day you should plan to arrive on the morning ferry and stay until the evening ferry. However, if you only have half a day in mind, you could come in the morning and leave at lunchtime or arrive at lunch time and leave on the evening boat.  Personally, I will be on the island all day.

Remember staying on the Island is camping, so bring clothes for doing grounds work, extra water, and maybe snack food and drinks that you would like to have outside our planned lunch.  Due to our lack of a kitchen facility and limited water, we will be eating picnic style foods with paper plates and leftovers from Saturday (think- summer casual, camping/picnic). 

Sunday Schedule

6:20-6:30 Board Ferry at Steilacoom Dock
6:55-7:00 Ferry Arrives & Departs
7:00-7:30 Arrive for Sesshin
7:30- Call to Zazen (Han roll)
7:30-8:00 One period of Zazen
8:00-8:05 Incense Ceremony
8:05-9:00 Informal Breakfast Snack and Tea
9:00-9:30 Break and kitchen cleanup
9:15- Call to Zazen (Han roll)
9:30-10:45 One period of Zazen and a Dharma Talk.
10:45-12:30 Samu (Clean up, grounds work etc.)
12:30- Potluck Lunch 
12:45-12:55 Ferry Arrives & Departs
2:30-6:30 Free time 
6:45-7:15 Prepare to leave on the ferry
7:25-7:35 Ferry Arrives & Departs

If you plan to camp on the Island. There is plenty of room to sleep barracks style in the Zendo. Otherwise, camping spots are available near the road and on Johnnie's property for those who want to pitch a tent.

Remember to bring your robes, practice sessions will still be normal sesshin formal. Don't forget to bring clothes for enjoying a forest hike or beach walk. And..sun screen! It's supposed to stay pretty warm.

See you soon,
Miles