2011 Retreat (Sesshin and Zazenkai) Schedule
The Atlanta Soto Zen Center offers a regular schedule of sesshin and zazenkai (longer and shorter zazen retreats).
Sesshin, literally "to unify the mind", is an intensive meditation retreat offered periodically to deepen our practice. Characterized by deep introspection and silence, sesshin is a wonderful opportunity to receive personal guidance in private interviews with the teachers, to draw from the strength of the sangha practicing together, and to experience the deep stillness that lies within each one of us. All are encouraged to attend sesshin whenever possible.
Weekend or one-day zazenkai is offered every month at the in-town
center, the second weekend of the month. Longer sesshin retreats are
offered periodically
both at the in-town
center and at nearby retreat locations with overnight
accommodations and the ability to completely immerse your self in the
sesshin practice.
Our sesshin and zazenkai follow three basic types of schedule (click
title for example schedule):
- Buddha - is an opportunity for
you to deepen your practice through
intensive immersion in zazen. The only interruptions to the daily
sitting schedule are for meals and services and to wrap around the
regular morning, evening and weekend schedules. This will give you a
clear perspective on your daily practice. Those who have experienced
this “no frills” kind of extended retreat testify to its effect on the
meaning of zazen, and a resultant clarification of the meaning of
Buddha’s enlightenment, which we celebrate by sitting all night near
Dec.
8th.
- Dharma - is an opportunity for
you to deepen your understanding of the
teachings of Buddhism in the context of intensive zazen. Text materials
will be provided and the sesshin leader will deliver a series of talks
on the subject, and facilitate study periods and dialog. During sesshin
you will be discouraged from reading any material other than that
provided for study hall. In this way you will be able to focus on the
content offered and through zazen more fully integrate your
understanding of it into your immediate experience.
- Sangha - is an opportunity to
deepen your understanding of the
practice community by learning the traditional
chants and protocols of Soto Zen liturgy and practices in a context of
intensive
zazen
practice. While providing ample zazen time, sangha sesshin also
provides more opportunity for personal interaction through chanting,
work practice, training and discussion.
Annual Theme - "Meeting the Masters: an Introduction to the Soto
Zen Lineage from Bodhidharma to Matsuoka-roshi"
During the year we will focus the study content of our retreats on
historical masters in the Soto Zen lineage which was transmitted to
China through Bodhidharma, to Japan through Eihei Dogen and, in the
Atlanta Soto Zen Center lineage, to America through Zengaku Soyu
Matsuoka-roshi.
The primary teacher for each retreat is our Abbot, Zenkai Taiun
Michael Elliston. In addition, Sensei will invite either guest teachers
or senior students to assist in the teaching of these retreats. The
retreats are staffed by the members of the Silent Thunder Order, which
comprises Sensei's students. At the longer retreats, the staff will
include an Ino (overall retreat and zendo coordinator), Tenzo (food
service coordinator) and Work Captain (task coordinator). For the
weekend retreats, these functions may be condensed.
When you register for a retreat, you will be contacted by the Ino or
Work Captain to confirm your plans and schedule participation. While
full retreat is recommended, we do allow partial participation for
those with other duties.
If you have any questions or would like to apply for a staff
position, please email info@aszc.org.
Upcoming Sesshin Dates (2011)
These longer sesshin retreats are recommended to anyone who is
sincerely interested in experiencing the real
heart of Zen practice. The retreats begin with an orientation the first
evening to
introduce participants to the spirit and schedule of sesshin and then
once sesshin begins, we immerse ourselves in the rigorous practice of
self-awakening.
Dates |
Theme and Format
|
Coordinators and Registration Information |
| October 26-30 |
Ho Hum Hollow retreat See flyer |
information and registration |
|
December 5-11 |
"Rohatsu" |
Upcoming Weekend Zazenkai Dates (2011)
Our regular monthly weekend zazenkai are held on the second Saturday
of the month and may include Friday night for overnight visitors. For
more
information about specific dates, please view details or send email by
clicking the links below or speak with the sesshin organizer in person
at the center. Occasionally we will shorten these retreats to "bankers
hours" and just include Saturday.
Dates |
Theme and Format
|
Coordinators and Registration Information |
|
October 7-9 |
"Touzi Yiquing & Furong Daokai" |
Gakusan Terry Sutton |
| November 11-13 |
"Danxia Zichun & Hongzhi Zhengjue" |
Gatsu Jabez Maurer |
|
December 9-11 |
"Eihei Dogen" |
Zenku Jerry Smyers |
Registration
To register for any of these events, please email register@aszc.org.
Please specify
the
event, and if you plan only partial attendance, those portions you plan
to attend. You may pay in advance with PayPal below
or
by
sending
a check to the center. You should receive an acknowledgment
within 5 days.
Partial Attendance
As a lay practice center, we rejoice in all participation that our
members can arrange and recognize that most have responsibilities which
prevent full attendance. For those unable to participate for the full
retreat, please consult the schedule to arrive and leave during
appropriate break times and
please be mindful of the increased intensity of those
attending full-time. Please be especially attentive to whether a
cushion is occupied before sitting on it!
Overnight space is limited and so many choose to commute.
Full-attendance commuters may choose to wait until 8:30am to arrive
(but are welcome at 6:00am).
All attendees who are new to retreats at the Atlanta Soto Zen Center are required to attend the orientation session.
Overnight Accommodations
The Atlanta Soto Zen Center has very spartan facilities for
overnight accommodations (think summer camp). Multiple occupancy room
spaces are available on a first-come first-served
basis, and require pre-payment at least one week in advance to
guarantee space (others may be accepted if space is available). For
information about accommodations, please
email innkeeper@aszc.org.
Please bring a sleeping bag and linens if possible.
We do not have full-time staff and so you should plan your arrival
for the beginning of the event.
Transportation
Please see our location page for
driving directions and public transportation (Marta) options to the
center.
Airport transportation is available through public
transportation (there is a station in the airport). For bus transfer,
see our location page. The closest station to the ASZC is the Lindberg
station for taxi service (approx. $15). Airport Metro Shuttle and Atlanta Superior Shuttle
also
service
our
location
(1167D
Zonolite
Place,
Atlanta,
30306).
Meals
Multiple day retreats include meals, but participation in the kitchen is expected. Meals are vegetarian and dairy - those with special needs should notify upon registration.
Cost
Retreat fees go to support the overhead of the Zen Center and
to fund necessary investments in future program and infrastructure. While
these
are
collected
on
the
honor
system,
they
are
not
considered
optional. There are limited discount and sponsorship opportunities
available for staff, full time students or those in need of financial
assistance. Please inquire at time of registration. The fees covers the
cost of meals and overnight accommodations as
specified.
Many people choose to attend only a portion of each retreat.
Attendees should inquire about how to prorate the cost based on their
planned attendance schedule.
We offer several fee package options for retreats, based on duration
and whether you plan to stay overnight (held at our
facilities at 1167 C/D Zonolite Place Atlanta is). If you are unsure of
which package, please contact us at register@aszc.org
for clarification.
You may pay the retreat fees by check made out to "Atlanta Soto Zen
Center (or ASZC)" put in the donation box at the center, by mail to "PO
Box 133241, Atlanta GA 30333-3241" or by PayPal (below). Dana to the teachers should be
made in cash or check made out directly to the teacher.
|
Package |
Duration |
Retreat Fee |
||
|
Non-Member |
Member |
Disciple |
||
| Commuter Weekend Retreat (Zazenkai) -or-
Any single day of longer retreat
|
Friday evening - Sunday noon |
$90.00 | $75.00 | $47.50 |
| Residential Weekend Retreat (Zazenkai) -or-
Any single full day of longer
retreat plus two nights |
Friday evening - Sunday noon including "sleepover" at ASZC |
$114.00 | $95.00 | $57.50 |
| Commuter 3-day Retreat |
Any three days of a longer retreat |
$247.50 | $225.00 | $142.50 |
| Residential 3-day Retreat |
Any three days of a longer retreat including "sleepover" at ASZC |
$280.50 | $255.00 | $157.50 |
| Commuter 4 or 5 day Retreat (Sesshin) |
Tuesday or Wednesday evening - Sunday noon |
$330.00 | $300.00 | $190.00 |
| Residential 4 or 5 day Retreat (Sesshin) | Tuesday or Wednesday evening - Sunday noon including
"sleepover" |
$365.00 | $340.00 | $210.00 |
| Rohatsu Sesshin Residential |
Sunday evening - Sunday noon |
$535.00 | $510.00 | $315.00 |
| Drop-In During Retreat |
Partial (1/2 day or less) attendance during retreat. Meals are not included. Fees are per appearance. |
$36.00 | $30.00 | $20.00 |
| Extra Meals |
Meals for Drop-in or Scholarship |
$5.00 |
$5.00 |
$5.00 |
Pay with PayPal
NON-MEMBER |
MEMBER
|
DISCIPLE
|
The cost for retreats held off-site will be slightly higher and
listed separately with the retreat information.
The cost for retreats with Guest Teachers may be slightly higher to
handle travel expenses and partial dana and will be listed separately
with the retreat information.
In addition, Dana (the perfection of giving) should be added in for the support of the teachers.
Cancellation Policy
Extended retreats may be canceled or moved due to insufficient registrations. All registrants will be notified at least one week prior to the start of the retreat. Weekend sesshins will be canceled only due to extreme circumstances.