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Practice activities requiring registration

The following practice activities require prior registration to participate. Most also allow for both in-person and virtual participation (see below), though some are available in one format or the other. Click on linked practice activities below for more information and to register:
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• In-person Winter Sanshin Salon: Transmitting Tales (Sat, Jan 31) - RSVP (no fee) HERE by Jan 28th.
• 3-day Uchiyama Roshi memorial sesshin (Mar 5 - 8) - Learn more & register by Feb 26th.​
• 3-part virtual discussion series with Tonen O'Connor: Sokushin zebutsu (mid-March) - Learn more & register.
• Virtual dharma study intensive with Okumura Roshi: Kesa kudoku ​Part II (late April/early May)
• 5-day sesshin (June 2 - 7)​
• 5-day precepts retreat (June 30 - July 5) - Learn more about receiving the precepts at Sanshin.
• 3-day sesshin (Sept 3 - 6)

Learn more about sesshin, a central practice offering at Sanshin, as carried out here in the style of Uchiyama Roshi.

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Our practice theme for 2026: World of Soto Zen

Throughout the year, we'll be exploring how we understand and express what it means to be a Soto Zen Buddhist.  Learn more and get the latest content and resources here!

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Virtual practice

Many of the practice activities offered here at Sanshin are also streamed online via Zoom. For a full schedule of our virtual practice offerings and the link to participate from home as able, please visit our virtual practice page.

And, if circumstances allow, please continue to support and participate with your local or regional dharma center.  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.   ​

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Mud and Lotus Collective recovery dharma group
Thursdays, 6:30 - 8 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church,
2120 N Fee Lane in Bloomington; enter at the north portico entrance     

This in-person group, which includes participation from Hosshin Shoaf (a dharma heir of Okumura Roshi, and one of Sanshin's practice leaders), explores the intersection between Buddhist teachings and practice and addiction recovery.  Following 20 to 30 minutes of guided meditation, participants read and discuss books or other materials related to recovery and the dharma.  No registration is necessary; simply attend as your life permits. No fee, but donations are welcome.

Regular practice 

The following regularly scheduled practice activities are open to all practitioners; there's no registration. If you are new to Sanshin or to Zen practice, please visit our New to Sanshin? page for basic orienting information.

All times listed are Eastern time.

Weekday mornings
Please be in your seat and ready to go before 6:05​ if joining us for the first zazen period, in time for the doshi's bows.
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​6:05 am  Doshi enters
6:10 am  Zazen
7:00 am  Kinhin
7:10 am  Zazen
8:00 am  Robe chant
8:05 am  Service
8:30 am  Reading from Shobogenzo Zuimonki, announcements, ​soji (cleanup)
​8:45 am  Bow out

Weekday evening zazen
Wednesdays: 6:30 - 7:00 pm
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​Wednesday evening dharma book discussion (7 - 8 pm): On The Roots of Goodness by Kosho Uchiyama.  You're welcome to drop in as your schedule allows, even if you're not familiar with the text. For some background on the roots of goodness as a Buddhist teaching, see this recent essay from Hoko.
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​Saturday is our day off; there's no public practice.

​Sunday morning zazen (9:10 am) and dharma talk (10:10 am)​:

• First Sunday: Talk by Okumura Roshi following sesshin or retreat
• ​Second Sunday: Hosshin leads a sangha work day or Hoko gives a talk
• Third Sunday: Talk by a novice teacher followed by World Peace ceremony
• Fourth Sunday: Talk by Hoko on Tangible Thusness (nyoho)
• Fifth Sunday: Talk by Hoko or a senior practitioner

Missed a Sunday dharma talk?  Many recordings are available on our YouTube channel.​​ ​

Getting Started in Zen Practice, second & fourth Tuesdays (Jan 13 in-person & Jan 27 online), 7:00 - 8:30 pm -- sign-up and more information is here.

Ryaku fusatsu: Monday evening closest to the 15th day of the month (Jan 12), 7 - 8 pm
Our monthly ceremony of renewing our aspiration to follow the precepts.  Everyone is welcome, regardless of whether or not you've formally taken precepts. 

Sesshin:  3, 5, or 7 days, typically covering the first weekend of the month (Mar, June, Sep, Dec)
A retreat consisting only of 14 50-minute periods of zazen, 3 meal periods, and sleep each day.