Precepts retreat with Hoko

July 4 - 9, 2023
Jukai-e on Sunday, July 9, 10 am

This retreat focuses on the study of the sixteen bodhisattva precepts that Buddhists receive as guidelines for living a life of practice.  The daily schedule includes zazen, lectures, work practice and silent meals, and a precepts ceremony (jukai-e) is held during the last day of the retreat, during which those receiving the precepts will make their vows and receive a dharma name and a rakusu, or small robe, which they have sewn beforehand. 

In-person participation in the retreat is required for precepts recipients; there may be room for a few additional local and regional practitioners to participate in person as well.  Others may participate virtually.  Everyone is welcome to attend the jukai-e in support of the recipients.

Typical daily schedule
Day 1 
5:00 Welcome meeting
6:00 Supper
7:30 Opening remarks
8:00 Zazen
8:50 End of Day

Days 2 - 5 
04:40 Wakeup
05:10 Zazen
06:00 Kinhin
06:10 Zazen
07:00 Breakfast
07:30 Soji (temple cleaning)
08:00 Break
09:00 Dharma talk
10:30 Question & answer
10:50 Break
11:10 Zazen
12 pm Lunch/break
01:00 Work period (For precepts recipients, work period will frequently be devoted to preparing for the jukai-e.)
02:50 Tea
04:00 End of work/break
05:10 Zazen
06:00 Supper/break
07:10 Zazen
08:00 Kinhin
08:10 Zazen
9:00 End of day

Day 6
04:40 Wakeup
05:10 Zazen
06:00 Kinhin
06:10 Zazen
07:00 Breakfast
07:30 Soji (temple cleaning)
08:00 Break
09:00 Preparation for jukai-e
10:00 Jukai-e
11:00 Photo, cleanup and reset
11:30 Sangha gathering
12 pm Lunch/cleanup
End of retreat

We receive the precepts from a preceptor, but they really come from the Buddhas and ancestors.  The preceptor is a person between the recipient and Buddha  Our traditional belief is that the precepts are transmitted from Bibashi Buddha, the first Buddha, from the very beginning.  The reality to which Buddha awakened is the source of these precepts.  That's our faith.  I can't "give" the precepts to anybody.  They aren't my possessions; they were transmitted to me from my teacher, and his teacher transmitted them to him.  The recipient does not become "my" possession either.  Even Buddha sad that he had no disciples.
-- Shohaku Okumura

Registration and Fees

The suggested cost for the five-day precepts retreat is $275.  However, Sanshin Zen Community aspires to accommodate all sincere practitioners at retreats and events, regardless of their ability to pay.  If you are unable to pay the full cost of the event, please contact the Sanshin program assistant to inquire about fee reductions or waivers.

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Receiving the precepts

Due to the amount of work and preparation required, a maximum of six practitioners may receive lay precepts at Sanshin each year.  Full in-person attendance at the weeklong April 13 - 20 sewing retreat as well as the July precepts retreat are required for recipients; neither partial attendance nor virtual participation is an option.  Recipients will receive further information directly about registration and payment for these retreats.  If you have questions about the logistics of retreat registration and attendance, please email us.

​If you're interested in receiving the precepts, please fill out and submit the request form below to begin this process.​  We'll close applications here when the limit is reached or sufficient lead time no longer remains.