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My first sesshin
« Experience a retreat in a Zen Temple »
This sesshin, while open to everyone, is specifically designed for those who have not attended a sesshin before. The aim of the weekend is to familiarize participants with zen practice.
The beginners´ sesshin allows the discovery of zazen and daily life in a zen monastery. Seminars and exchanges among participants help foster an understanding of the nature of sesshins, zen ceremonies, and the practice in general.
It is a great opportunity for those who are ready to take a first step into zen, and for others who wish to refresh their practice by taking another look at the basics.
Schedules for a beginners sesshin - may change
Friday
5h-7h pm: arrival
7.15 pm: welcome talk, explanation of the retreat proceedings
8:30 pm: silent meal taken in bowls
9 pm : discovery workshop of Zen meditation - zazen - and walking meditation - kinhin.
10 pm: Sleep
Saturday
6:30 am: Wake up
7:00 - 8:15 am: zazen - 30 minutes, Kinhin - 10 minutes, zazen - 25 minutes
8:15 am : Morning ceremony, dedicating one's practice for the good of all beings.
8:15 - 9:00 am: Meal in sillence, coffee - tea - brioches
10:00 am: Conference for beginners
11:00 - 12:30 am : zazen - 30 minutes, Kinhin - 10 minutes, Teisho - teaching from master Wang-Genh
12h30 - 13h15 pm : Oryoki meal ( silent meal ) + coffee
14:45 pm: Samu - service for the community
16:00 : tea pause
16:15 - 17:00 pm: posture deepening workshop
17:30 - 18:45 pm zazen - 30 minutes, Kinhin - 10 minutes, zazen - 25 minutes and mondo questions-answers with the Master
18:45-19:15 pm: meal in silence
20:30- 21:45 pm: Zazen
10 pm: Sleep
Sunday
6:00 am: Wake up
6:30-8:15 am: zazen - 30 minutes, Kinhin - 10 minutes, zazen - 25 minutes
Morning ceremony, dedicating one's practice for the good of all beings.
8:15-9:00 am: Meal in sillence
8h45 am: coffee - tea - brioches
9:30-10:30 am : Samu
11h00-12h30 am: zazen - 30 minutes, Kinhin - 10 minutes + Teisho - teaching of Master Wang-Genh: "How to practice in daily life"
12h30-13h15 am: Lunch - coffee then tidying up of the monastery departure around 15h.
Video - Sagesses Bouddhistes program "The Importance of Retreats in Zen" 2013
A Buddhist Wisdom program with Master Reigen Wang-Genh, abbot of the Ryumonji monastery in Alsace. Interview with Aurelie Godefroy.
