Sesshin and retreatsInformation and registration for sesshin at Sanshin is here. There are opportunities for both local and virtual participation in sesshin; genzo-e will only be available virtually. For access to our virtual practice offerings, please contact us.
2023
Special events
In 2023 Sanshin Zen Community will celebrate its 20th year. It's also the time at which Abbot Shohaku Okumura will step into a founding teacher role and turn day-to-day leadership over to the current vice abbot, Hoko Karnegis. In addition to the usual practice events, the ango (practice period) this year will include several special activities that mark these important milestones in the life of Sanshin. For the latest on these events, which we're calling our Platinum 20 Celebration, please see this page.
Virtual practice from around the Sanshin NetworkTemples, centers and groups from around the Sanshin Network are offering virtual programming and are willing to include practitioners from outside their immediate sanghas. English is spoken in all of the following locations, though it may not be the primary language. All times given are local time in the location of the centers offering the practice.
And, please continue to support your local or regional dharma center. With the advent of virtual practice, it can be tempting to gravitate to sanghas, temples and centers far from home. While you're welcome to participate in our virtual practice no matter where you live, it's no substitute for in-person practice with a sangha. Not only does practicing with others benefit you, your presence supports that local group and makes it possible for others to practice. Please stay connected with your local or regional practice community and practice there to the degree possible. Regular virtual practiceIn English
Hosted by Sanshin (IN, USA):
Please note: There is a significant time difference between Bloomington (Eastern time US) and Europe, or other locations around the globe. If you are outside of North America you are welcome to join us virtually, but for your own comfort we suggest investigating practice with a Sanshin Network sangha that's geographically and temporally closer to you. Hosted by Shodo Spring at Mountains and Waters Alliance (MN, USA):
Hosted by Shoryu Bradley at Gyobutsuji (Kingston, AR, USA)
Hosted by Zen Community of New York for Dōgen Study (NY, USA)
Daily and weekly programs
Monday Dharma Lab: “Kōan Study: How Dōgen School sees Kōan ~ Book of Serenity/Shōyō-roku” 1:00 pm ~ 2:30 pm Text: Trilingual text is offered to the participants. Recommended Reading: “Book of Serenity – One Hundred Zen Dialogue” translated by Thomas Cleary from Shambhala Thursday Evening Shōbōgenzō Classroom 6:30 pm ~ 8:00 pm Text: Bilingual texts are offered to the participants. Recommended Reading: “Realizing Genjōkōan – the key to Dōgen’s Shōbōgenzō” by Shohaku Okumura Friday Dharma Lab: Dōgen’s Eihei Shingi 11:00 am ~ 12:30 pm 03/05, 12 & 25 Text: Bilingual text is offered to the participants. Recommended Reading: “Dōgen’s Pure Standards for the Zen Community – a translation of Eihei Shingi” translated by Taigen Danial Leighton and Shohaku Okumura Please email here for information about how to participate. Hosted by the Everett sitting group (WA, USA):
in french
With Mokusho Depreay at Centre Shikantaza (Mons, Belgium)
Please email here for information about how to participate. in spanish
With Densho Quintero at Soto Zen Community of Columbia (Bogota, Columbia)
in italian
With Gyoetsu Epifania and Doryu Cappelli at Centro Zen Anshin (Rome, Italy)
Please email here for information about how to participate. |
In-person practice for local practitionersWeekday mornings
Please be in your seat and ready to go by 5:05, in time for the doshi's bows. 5:10 am Zazen 6:00 am Kinhin 6:10 am Zazen 7:00 am Robe chant 7:05 am Service 7:30 am Reading from Shobogenzo Zuimonki, announcements, soji (cleanup) 7:45 am Bow out Weekday evening zazen (6:30 - 7:20 pm) Please note that the period ends at 7 pm on Wednesdays to accommodate the book discussion and on the Monday closest to the 15th of each month to accommodate the ryaku fusatsu ceremony (see below). For those wishing to sit for thirty minutes on any other evening, please arrive early enough to let the jikido (timekeeper) know several minutes before the sitting period begins, and he or she will ring a small bell thirty minutes into that period. The regular bell will be sounded as usual at fifty minutes. Wednesday evening book discussion (7 - 8 pm) Shobogenzo Bodaisatta Shishobo and commentaries; materials are here. Saturday is our day off; there's no public practice.
Sunday morning zazen (9:10 am) and dharma talk (10:10 am): Please note that during the ango (April 3 - July 9), talks will be given by the shuso, Shinko Hagn.
Missed a Sunday dharma talk? Many recordings are available on our YouTube channel. Getting Started in Zen Practice, second & fourth Tuesdays (April 11 & 25), 7:30 - 9 pm; more information is here.
Ryaku Fusatsu: Monday evening closest to the 15th day of the month (April 17), 7 pm Our ceremony of renewing our aspiration to follow the precepts. Everyone is welcome, regardless of whether or not you've formally taken precepts. Sesshin: 5 or 7 days typically covering the first weekend of the month A retreat consisting only of 14 50-minute periods of zazen, meal periods, and sleep each day. Local fully vaccinated practitioners may drop in for one or more periods of zazen as they wish (no fee) or may register for full days with communal meals. |