Introduction to Sesshin
January 10, 2026, 9 am - 6 pm

This one-day workshop, facilitated by Dōju Layton, offers participants an opportunity to enter the practice of sesshin in the Sōtō Zen tradition transmitted through Kōshō Uchiyama Rōshi and Shōhaku Okumura Rōshi. Those who are interested in our full 3-, 5-, and 7-day sesshins, but may feel apprehensive, are particularly encouraged to participate. Newcomers and experienced practitioners who wish to deepen their understanding of Sanshin-style sesshin are welcome.

In the lineage of Antaiji and Sanshinji, sesshin is not a test of endurance but a quiet opportunity to “just sit”—shikantaza—together with all beings, deepening our understanding of the Buddha Way through wholehearted, simple practice. This introductory retreat will provide both instruction and direct experience in zazen (seated meditation), kinhin (walking meditation), and zendo etiquette and forms. Participants will also receive guidance in ōryōki (shared formal meals eaten using particular forms and utensils, maintaining the mind of zazen) and explore the meaning of sesshin as taught in this tradition. The schedule balances periods of silent practice, practical instruction, and opportunities for discussion. 

​Uchiyama Rōshi wrote, “Doing zazen means to actualize the reality of life. Zazen is the self which is only self without any playing with toys.” Join us for this one-day Introduction to Sesshin to learn more about what he meant and how you can bring this mind of sesshin into your life.

Additional considerations

• If you are traveling from out of town, you are welcome to stay overnight in the zendo and join us for regular practice activities on Sunday, Jan 11th (which will include 9 am zazen and a temple work day including lunch). Please indicate in the registration form if you plan to stay overnight.
• Note that you may register to participate virtually throughout, though some aspects of the workshop (such as instruction on zendo & oryoki forms) will be less accessible to those not physically in the room. To participate online for some or all of the day, please use the "Offer what you can" registration option below.

Dharma leadership dana

Sanshin honoraria fund

Sanshin offers an honorarium (a modest financial gift) to non-staff members leading a given practice activity at Sanshin. You can help Sanshin continue to support dharma leadership here.

Give to Doju

To make a donation directly to Doju (not tax-deductible), mail a check made out to "Daniel Layton" to:

P.O. Box 1577
​Bloomington, IN 47402

Workshop schedule

8:40 a.m. – Doors open

9:00 – Introduction; Review of Zazen, Kinhin, and Zendo Procedures; Basics of Sesshin

11:10 – Zazen

12:00 p.m. – Oryoki Lunch with Instruction

1:00 – The Meaning of Sesshin

2:10 – Zazen

3:00 – Kinhin

3:10 – Zazen

4:00 – Kinhin

4:10 – Zazen

5:00 – Tea and Final Discussion
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6:00 – End of day

About Doju

Dōju grew up in the Washington D.C. area. He received an undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary and a master's degree in evolutionary biology from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. While in the latter program, he began practicing zazen at the Missouri Zen Center in St. Louis after deciding against an academic career but lacking another clear direction. Inspired after reading Kōshō Uchiyama’s Opening the Hand of Thought, in 2015 he moved to Sanshinji in Bloomington to practice under Okumura Rōshi. Dōju was ordained by Okumura Rōshi as a novice priest in 2017. He served as shuso for the three-month summer ango at Ryumonji in 2021, and lived and practiced at Kotaiji in Nagasaki, Japan for the three-month winter ango in 2024/2025. To supplement his priest training, Dōju studied Buddhism at Indiana University, receiving a master's degree in Religious Studies in 2021. He is interested in the intersection of practice, ecology, and politics, and how to engage with these topics while being true to the Buddhist tradition.

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