Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 5:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Kannon Do Zen Meditation Center
1972 Rock Street
Mountain View, CA
Kannon Do will host a one-day meditation retreat, or
Sesshin on Saturday, October 13th. This day of mindfulness offers a rare
opportunity to turn our awareness to the simple activities that sustain our
lives, and that we normally take for granted: breathing, walking, eating, being
attentive to the workings of our mind. The distractions and pressures of daily
responsibilities diminish, giving a wider world view a chance to appear, along
with a sense of gratitude and calmness. We encourage you to organize your
schedule so that you can attend this short retreat.
Note to first timers: No meditation or Oryoki (eating
meals in meditation hall in monastic style) instruction will be given on
sesshin day, as this day is spent in silent mindfulness, interrupted only by
functional talk (what needs to be done etc). If you are a first timer we highly
recommend you attend a first timer instruction, and attend Oryoki training;
before attending Walking and Sitting sessions, oryoki, bowing ceremonies and
cleaning of the temple on Sesshin Day.
Details:
1. Sign-up sheets for attendance, Doan and Kokyo Sign-up,
food /meals sign up, and the Sesshin schedule is be available in printed form
outside the Zendo.
2. There is a $20 suggested donation for the upkeep of
Kannon Do and running of Sesshin.
3. If you plan to stay for meals during Sesshin i.e
Breakfast, Lunch or Tea, please write your name down on the attendee sheet so
we have a head count of how many people to feed.
4. To help additionally volunteer to bring food
(Vegetarian Protein and Vegetables for Breakfast and Lunch/ Fruit and Cookies
for Tea) for 18-20 attendees. Write your name and food you are providing on the
Sesshin food sign up sheet. And if you are preparing a meal for Sesshin
Attendees please make sure to bring it to the Kannon Do Kitchen, 1.5 hours
before Breakfast and Lunch.
5. Oryoki (eating meals in Monastic Style) Training will
be offered prior to the Sesshin and information is also available at
https://kannondo.org/getting-started/oryoki/
6. Sesshin Schedule, Guidelines, and Other Details:
5:30 AM Zazen
6:10 AM Kinhin/Tenzo prepares Breakfast
6:20 AM Zazen
7:00 AM Silent Bowing/Servers Report to Kitchen
7:10 AM Breakfast
8:00 AM Clean-up/Personal Time
8:40 AM Zazen
9:20 AM Kinhin
9:30 AM Zazen
10:00 AM Kinhin
10:10 AM Zazen
10:40 AM Kinhin/Tenzo prepares Lunch
10:50 AM Zazen
11:30 AM Silent Bowing/Servers Report to Kitchen
11:40 AM Lunch
12:40 PM Clean-up & Personal Time
1:10 PM Begin Work Period
2:10 PM Tea Preparation + Servers Prepare Tea
2:20 PM End Work Period + Clean-up
2:30 PM Tea
3:00 PM Kinhin
3:10 PM Zazen
3:50 PM Kinhin
4:00 PM Zazen
4:40 PM Kinhin
4:50 PM Zazen
5:30 PM Service
6:00 PM Clean-up
Guidelines:
A meditation retreat provides an opportunity to practice
for an extended period in a quiet, supportive atmosphere, free from the usual
distractions of everyday life. To help you, and others maintain mindfulness
during Sesshin, we suggest the following:
·
Please help us maintain silence during Sesshin
only speaking to someone if necessary, for instance about meal preparation. If
you find it necessary to have a conversation, please do so outside Kannon Do so
you not to disturb others.
·
Please refrain from reading and writing.
·
Each activity (meditation, meals, work period)
is closed with a group bow. If you need to leave after an activity, please do
so after bowing with the group.
·
Be aware that the telephone can be a great
distraction. If you find it necessary to use the phone, please do so outside
Kannon Do.
·
During the breaks following meals, you can use
the Zendo to rest or stretch, or you can walk outside. During breaks, you can
also help to wash and dry dishes and put away food in silence.
·
In addition to break times, you can use Kinhin
(walking meditation) periods to visit the restrooms.
Meals:
If you will be staying for one or more meals, please
indicate which ones on the signup sheet by the Zendo door.
When you arrive at Sesshin, take an Oryoki bowl Set from
the table, identifying it by writing your name on the wooden stick provided.
Keep the Oryoki at your seat while you are at Sesshin,
and when you leave, return the Oryoki to Kitchen.
If you are unfamiliar with the use of Oryoki, don’t be
concerned about getting it “right.” Try to follow along with someone who
understands the practice.
Bells:
You can understand much of the schedule by listening to
the bells, as follows-
·
Three bells indicate the start of sitting
meditation.
·
Two bells indicate the start of walking
meditation.
·
One bell indicates the end of a series of
meditation periods.
Cost: $20 (recommended donation)
