Sesshin
The Zen Buddhist Temple of Chicago hosts monthly meditation retreats (sesshin). One-day sesshin are usually held at the Temple on the first Saturday of the month and last from 12:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., with breaks for mindful work and a meal.
Sesshin is a vital part of a Zen Buddhist's spiritual training. It affords the opportunity for intensive zazen, thus deepening and strengthening one's meditation practice. Everyone is welcome to attend and we encourage your participation regardless of your level of experience in practicing zazen. Although we strongly encourage everyone to attend the entire sesshin, please join us to the fullest extent that your schedule allows. If you plan to attend a portion of the retreat, please arrange your arrival so as not to interfere with zazen.
More intensive four-day sesshin are held several times each year, usually at a priest's or disciple's home, and last from 7:00 p.m. Thursday night until noon on Sunday.
The schedule for a one-day sesshin is:
12:30 p.m. to 1:10 p.m.
zazen
1:10 p.m. to 1:20 p.m.
kinhin (walking meditation)
1:20 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
zazen
2:00 p.m. to 2:10 p.m.
kinhin
2:10 p.m. to 2:50 p.m.
zazen
2:50 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
chant
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
samu (mindful work)
4:00 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.
zazen
4:40 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.
kinhin
4:50 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
zazen
5:30 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.
kinhin
5:40 p.m. to 6:20 p.m.
zazen
6:20 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
chant
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
dinner
8:00 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.
zazen
8:40 p.m. to 8:50 p.m.
kinhin
8:50 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
zazen
9:30 p.m. to 9:40 p.m.
kinhin
9:50 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
closing ceremony zazen
Longer sesshin are held several times each year, usually at a priest's or disciple's home.
