Rohatsu Five-Day Sesshin (On-Site and Online)

November 30, 2021

November 29, 7:30 pm to December 4, 4:00 am PST

Sesshin (接心), literally “to touch the Mind,” is a period of time set aside for an intensive meditation retreat to let go of the conditioned self in order to resume our original nature. This sesshin is a special time of practice that will allow us to dive into the core of Zen training. A silent meditation intensive for experienced sitters to still the mind from moment to moment manifesting the realization of the Way.

Each day, the schedule begins at 5:00 am and includes 10 periods of meditation, chanting, mindful work at home, and private interviews with teachers upon request and ends at 9:00 pm. The retreat begins at 7:30 pm. Monday and ends at 4:00 a.m. Saturday. You are welcome to attend partially if you cannot attend the entire retreat due to work commitments. In the spirit of Buddha’s enlightenment, on Friday night we will be in tetsuya, which means we will “sit through the whole night,” from 12:00 am to 4:00 am.

Register Online | View Schedule

Tetsuya (All Night Sitting) & Founder's Sunrise Ceremony

December 4, 2021

12:00 am to 4:00 am PST Tetsuya (On-Site and Online)

6:00 am to 7:00 am PST Ceremony (On-Site Only)

Settle in on an all-night sitting to commemorate Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment on December 8th and Shunryu Suzuki-roshi’s Parinirvana on December 4th, 1971. We sit continuously from midnight to 4 a.m. ending with atonement vow. At 6 a.m. we gather together for a memorial procession to Suzuki-roshi’s stupa where we chant, express our gratitude, and watch the sunrise through the trees.

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Saturday Community Dharma Talk: Jakusho Kwong-Roshi

December 11, 2021

10:30 am to 11:30 am PST

Dharma talk will be given by Jakusho Kwong-roshi, founding abbot of SMZC, following 10:30 am zazen.

BY DONATION ($10 suggested minimum donation)

Register Online

Kids Community: Outdoor, Nature Scavenger Hunt & Mochi Decorating

December 11, 2021

10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Join us for an outdoor, nature scavenger hunt for the children to partake in on kid’s day. This mindful activity connects kids with the natural elements of earth through the senses of touching, seeing, smelling and hearing. We’ll finish with a fun, yummy mochi snack to decorate in honor of Christmas.

Register Online ($10 admission)

SMZC Closed for Winter Break

December 16, 2021

December 16 to 30

SMZC is closed from December 16 to December 30 both on site and online.

Ringing in the New Year: Welcoming 2022 Year of the Tiger

January 1, 2022

10:30 pm to 1:00 am PST

A wonderful chance to get together and renew our commitment to practice for the New Year. Join the community for traditional, informal noodles in the sangha house. After a short zazen to close the year, at exactly midnight, everyone will get a chance will ring SMZC's great bell 108 times to welcome the New Year of the Tiger. Bring a small piece of paper inscribed with any Karmic hindrances you wish to burn away during the ceremony. Refreshments offered following the ceremony.

Register Online ($20 admission)