Sesshins and Zazenkais
Zen Retreats
Sesshins and Zazenkais are both Zen retreats with the same form and procedure, differing only in the number of days: while a Sesshin lasts one week, a Zazenkai extends over a weekend. A “Go-Sesshin” lasts five days.
Our Sesshins and Zazenkais offer an opportunity for intensive Zen practice in the tradition of Rinzai Zen. The retreat days are filled with Zazen, recitation, Kinhin (walking meditation), Dharma talks (teaching), and Taiwa (private interview with the teacher). Formal meals and Samu (work meditation in the form of simple tasks to be performed indoors or outdoors) complement the practice.
Our so-called “light-Retreats” have a somewhat gentler daily schedule than our regular retreats. The difference is that meditation periods are slightly shorter and mornings start a little later. This makes the practice weekend a little easier. “Sesshin light” and “Zazenkai light” are ideal for newcomers, beginners, but also for anyone who prefers a milder retreat for other reasons. All other rules are as usual and in accordance with our form.
All listed Sesshins and Zazenkais – unless otherwise stated – are led by Zen priest Seigaku Kigen Oshō and stand in the Rinzai Zen tradition of Kyozan Joshu Sasaki Rōshi and Seiun Genro Dai Oshō. Prior Zen experience is required for participation in regular retreats; meditation experience is advantageous for light-retreats, but will also be explained before the event. To assess whether a Zen retreat with us is suitable for you, please send us an email at mail@bodhidharmazendo.net.
Venue for our retreats: Hyakujōgan Zendo Hohe Wand, formerly called “BergZendo”, Lower Austria, 2742 Hohe Wand, Am Almfrieden 87
Arrival and End Zazenkais and “Zazenkais light”:
| Start: Friday | 5:00 PM – Arrival and settling in |
| 6:00 PM – Informal shared dinner | |
| End: Sunday | 5:00 PM |
Arrival and End Sesshins and “Sesshins light”:
| Start: | 5:00 PM – Arrival and settling in |
| 6:00 PM – Informal shared dinner | |
| End: | one week later, 12:00 PM |
Zazen (sitting meditation) consists of three or four periods of 25 minutes each. The first period in the morning lasts 40 minutes, as do the recitation and the Dharma talk. After the recitation and between the individual Zazen periods, a walking meditation (Kinhin) of about 10 minutes follows. If the weather permits, Kinhin takes place outdoors. Once a day we practice “Long Kinhin”, where we cover longer distances in walking meditation in the Hohe Wand Nature Park.
Showers are available during breaks.
The exact daily schedule of a regular retreat
(Schedule for light-retreats see further below):
| 3:30 | Kaijo (rising) |
| 3:40 | Sarei (formal tea ceremony) |
| 3:45 | Chōka (recitation) |
| 4:30 | Zazen |
| 7:00 | Formal breakfast |
| 7:30 | Break |
| 8:00 | Samu (meditative work) |
| 9:15 | Zazen with Dharma talk |
| 11:45 | Formal lunch |
| 12:15 | Break |
| 13:15 | Niten Soji (cleaning) |
| 14:15 | Sarei |
| 14:20 | Banka (recitation) |
| 15:05 | Zazen |
| 16:15 | Taiwa (private interview with the teacher) |
| 17:30 | Formal dinner |
| 18:00 | Break |
| 18:30 | Kaihan, Gyodo (recitation while walking) |
| 19:00 | Zazen |
| 21:00 | Kaichin (night rest) |
The exact schedule of a “Retreat light“:
During our light-retreats, one gets up later and practices somewhat less:
| 5:00 | Kaijo (rising) |
| 5:25 | Sarei/Chōka (formal tea ceremony/recitation) |
| 6:30 | Zazen |
| 8:00 | Formal breakfast |
| 9:15 – 10:30 AM | Samu (work meditation) |
| 10:50 | Dharma talk followed by Zazen |
| 12:45 | Formal lunch, followed by Niten Soji |
| 15:00 | Zazen |
| 16:00 | Taiwa (private interview with the teacher) |
| 17:30 | Formal dinner |
| 19:00 | Zazen |
| 21:00 | Sarei |
| Kaichin (night rest) |
During the retreats and light-retreats, the retreat rules must be observed. These can be found here.
What to bring:
- Own bed linen and pillowcase, own sheet (blankets and pillows available) or sleeping bag, as well as own towels (or optionally available for rent for a fee)
- Slippers
- Sturdy footwear (for Samu and Long Kinhin. Longer distances are covered in walking meditation on the Hohe Wand.)
- Shoes that can be put on quickly for Kinhin outdoors (quick transition from the Zendo to outside)
- Robust work clothing (Samu may include gardening, woodwork, etc.)
- Warm clothing (Kinhin usually takes place outdoors, Samu partially)
- Rain protection (Kinhin and Samu outdoors even in light rain)
- Possibly earplugs (for undisturbed night rest)
Course fees
Zazenkai / “Zazenkai light”:
| €130 | Shared room including meals, Dana for Kigen Oshō at your discretion. |
| €120 | for members of Bodhidharma Zendo, Dana for Kigen Osho at your discretion. |
These costs include everything: program, full board, and accommodation.
Dana (donation) for Kigen Osho at your discretion.
For towels and bed linen, an additional €7 per person per seminar will be charged (if not brought yourself).
Go-Sesshin:
| €280 | Shared room including meals, Dana for Kigen Oshō at your discretion. |
| €250 | for members of Bodhidharma Zendo, Dana for Kigen Osho at your discretion. |
These costs include everything: program, full board, and accommodation.
Dana (donation) for Kigen Osho at your discretion.
For towels and bed linen, an additional €7 per person per seminar will be charged (if not brought yourself).
Sesshin/”Sesshin light“:
| €400 | Shared room including meals, Dana for Kigen Oshō at your discretion. |
| €350 | for members of Bodhidharma Zendo, Dana for Kigen Osho at your discretion. |
These costs include everything: program, full board and accommodation.
Dana (donation) for Kigen Osho at your discretion.
Discount:
The Bodhidharma Zendo can grant an additional discount upon consultation in cases of financial need. Please submit a corresponding request at least one week before the start to mail@bodhidharmazendo.net
There is no legal entitlement to this discount.
Payment options:
Transfer the course fee at least one week before the start to the following account:
Account holder: Verein zur Förderung des Zen-Buddhismus
IBAN: AT931420020010963533
BIC: BAWAATWW
Please indicate as purpose “Zazenkai” or “Zazenkai light” or “Sesshin” or “Sesshin light” or “Go-Sesshin”!
Dana for Kigen Osho at your discretion.
Registration:
Please register by email to mail@bodhidharmazendo.net, stating your name, address, and telephone number. Prior experience is required for participation in the retreats. Please send us an email to clarify this. Participation is at your own risk. By registering, you commit to observing our Retreat rules. These are:
For harmonious and undisturbed Zen practice, observe the following points during a retreat:
- Wear plain, black and comfortable clothing with sleeves in the Zendo (T-shirts are fine, but not sleeveless. No shorts or short skirts)
- Do not wear scarves
- Do not wear watches or jewelry
- Tie long hair back or pin it up
- Do not use perfume, scented water, or aftershave
- Avoid eye contact
- Do not use mobile phones or telephones
- Do not read, write, paint, or play music
- Be punctual in the Zendo
- Rooms may only be entered during breaks
- Use toilets only during breaks or Kinhin
- Toilets may not be used during Taiwa
- Enter the kitchen only for Niten Soji – respect the silence of the Tenzo
- The contact person for all urgent matters is exclusively the Shoji
- Remain within earshot of the house during breaks
- Absolute silence applies – even in the rooms – for the entire duration of the retreat
Registrations are considered accepted once they have been confirmed by us via confirmation email. Participants will also receive a list of participants approximately three days before the start of the retreat.
Registration for our events includes consent for all registered persons to receive a list of all participants shortly before the start of the event, which also includes email addresses or involves the email address being sent visibly in the recipient field to all participants. This enables participants to communicate with each other, for example, to form carpools, share taxis, or make other arrangements among themselves.
Dates of current retreats:
You can find the current retreat events
in our calendar here.
