Zen Studies Society

DBZ: O-Bon Samu Sesshin

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The days leading up to O-Bon offer a unique opportunity to participate in traditional Rinzai monastic practice, working with the monastery residents to prepare the O-Bon festival in a modified sesshin schedule that includes short morning service, zazen (meditation), daily samu (work practice), daily Dai Segaki chanting, dokusan (one-on-one interviews with a teacher), and teisho (Dharma talks).

Early August at Dai Bosatsu mountain is a wild and beautiful dream-like setting where the boundaries between the tangible world and the endless realms seem to dissolve.

O-Bon Samu Sesshin ends Friday afternoon before the official start of O-Bon Weekend and the Opening Fire that evening.

There is no fee for the O-Bon Samu Sesshin, but please consider purchasing a tiered-price ticket or making a donation to help cover the cost of your stay. If you have any questions, please email office@daibosatsu.org. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

DBZ: O-Bon

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Join Chigan Roshi and Shinge Roshi for this beautiful and moving ceremony at which we we honor our ancestors, family members, and other loved ones who have passed away; as well as the hungry ghosts within and outside us.

O-Bon begins on Friday evening as we welcome the spirits with a ceremonial fire. On Saturday we paint their names on paper lanterns and gather for the O-Bon dinner offering. We then hold a traditional chanting service which includes calling out the names of the deceased. Chigan Roshi will give a teisho (Dharma talk) following this service.

Finally, we light our lanterns and make a silent, candle-lit procession to the bank of Beecher Lake, where we float our glowing lanterns across the dark waters while chanting Namu Dai Bosa. A bonfire and festive refreshments complete the evening. On Sunday morning, we gather in the zendo for short morning service and zazen, followed by an informal breakfast.

If you are not able to attend and would like the names of your deceased loved ones to be read aloud during the ceremony, please email their names to office@daibosatsu.org by August 7 and consider making a donation.

The fee for this weekend is $325 for nonmembers and $285 for Zen Studies Society (ZSS) members. Note that the member price is for ZSS members only – please consider becoming a Supporting Member. If you have any questions, please email office@daibosatsu.org before registering. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

If you are able to support students in financial difficulty, please consider making an additional donation. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, you may apply for a reduced rate here. If you would like to discuss a family rate, please email office@daibosatsu.org.

DBZ: Healing and Wellness Weekend

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This weekend retreat offers encouragement and support for people who are living with chronic illness or who are looking for a place of community and healing. Originally created by DBZ resident monk Donge John Haber as a retreat to offer a caring and inspiring space for those living with HIV/AIDS, its intention has expanded over the past 30 years.

The weekend includes an O-Bon ceremony to celebrate the lives of our deceased loved ones. Daily zazen, yoga, and a writing workshop will be offered. Additionally, each participant will receive one bodywork session from practitioners who volunteer their time and expertise.

The fee for this weekend is $350 for nonmembers and $300 for Zen Studies Society (ZSS) members. Note that the member price is for ZSS members only – please consider becoming a Supporting Member. If you have any questions, please email office@daibosatsu.org before registering. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

If you are able to support students in financial difficulty, please consider making an additional donation. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, you may apply for a reduced rate here.

NYZ: Ordinary Mind Sesshin

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Join us for a half-day or full-day sesshin taught by Barry Magid, head teacher of Ordinary Mind Zendo. Ordinary Mind is dedicated to Charlotte Joko Beck’s vision of a psychologically-minded Zen practice adapted to the needs of American students practicing in the context of our everyday lives. Our zendo is committed to the proposition that the Dharma can be fully practiced, realized and transmitted in the midst of lay life.

The day includes a Dharma talk, an opportunity for dokusan (one-on-one interview with the teacher), oryoki lunch, liturgy, and lots of zazen. Please find the daily schedule below. This sesshin is also available via Zoom.

The fee for this sesshin $50 – $100, and is free for Zen Studies Society (ZSS) members. Please consider becoming a ZSS Supporting Member. Reach out directly to gayle.maslow@gmail.com to register. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

Schedule

Morning
9:00 – 9:30    Zazen
9:40 – 9:55    Morning Service
10:00 – 10:25  Zazen
10:30 – 10:55  Dharma Talk
11:00 – 11:25  Zazen
11:30 – 11:55  Zazen
12:00 – 12:25  Zazen

Midday (In-person full-day attendees only)
12:30 – 1:00   Oryoki
1:00 – 1:10    Break
1:10 – 1:40    Work Practice
1:40 – 2:05    Break

Afternoon
2:10 – 2:35    Zazen
2:40 – 3:30    Unstructured Sitting
3:35 – 3:55    Afternoon Service
4:00 – 4:25    Zazen
4:30 – 4:55    Zazen
4:55 – 5:00    Vows & Bows

NYZ: Zazen, Jodo-E Chanting Ceremony, & Informal Breakfast

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On the morning of December 8th, we will celebrate the end of Rohatsu week with chanting of the Jodo-E ceremony which commemorates Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment.

If you are not able to attend in person, we will be also offering this event online:

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 824 2548 5117
Passcode: DailyZazen

Details are flexible, depending on how many participants attend. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

NYZ: Ordinary Mind Sesshin

by

Join us for a half-day or full-day sesshin taught by Barry Magid, head teacher of Ordinary Mind Zendo. Ordinary Mind is dedicated to Charlotte Joko Beck’s vision of a psychologically-minded Zen practice adapted to the needs of American students practicing in the context of our everyday lives. Our zendo is committed to the proposition that the Dharma can be fully practiced, realized and transmitted in the midst of lay life.

The day includes a Dharma talk, an opportunity for dokusan (one-on-one interview with the teacher), oryoki lunch, liturgy, and lots of zazen. Please find the daily schedule below. This sesshin is also available via Zoom.

The fee for this sesshin $50 – $100. Please register by completing this form (payment accepted via Paypal). Registration closes November 6th. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

Schedule

Morning
9:00 – 9:30    Zazen
9:40 – 9:55    Morning Service
10:00 – 10:25  Zazen
10:30 – 10:55  Dharma Talk
11:00 – 11:25  Zazen
11:30 – 11:55  Zazen
12:00 – 12:25  Zazen

Midday (In-person full-day attendees only)
12:30 – 1:00   Oryoki
1:00 – 1:10    Break
1:10 – 1:40    Work Practice
1:40 – 2:05    Break

Afternoon
2:10 – 2:35    Zazen
2:40 – 3:30    Unstructured Sitting
3:35 – 3:55    Afternoon Service
4:00 – 4:25    Zazen
4:30 – 4:55    Zazen
4:55 – 5:00    Vows & Bows

Locations

Dai Bosatsu Zendo
223 Beecher Lake Road
Livingston Manor, NY 12758

New York Zendo
223 East 67th Street
New York, NY 10065


DONATE

Contact Us

Dai Bosatsu Zendo
office@daibosatsu.org
(845) 439-4566

New York Zendo
office@newyorkzendo.org
(212) 861-3333