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BZC About BZC Schedule/news Lectures Texts Links Find Sesshin/Sitting InformationAt least once a month, Berkeley Zen Center provides the opportunity to participate in extended sittings. In our tradition, these are referred to as sesshins. There are several types of sittings scheduled on a regular basis: Saturday One-day Sittings - 5 a.m. to 9:10 p.m. Sunday One-day Sittings - 5 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Multi-day sittings - 5 a.m. to 9:10 p.m., last day 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Half-day Sittings Saturday
Noon to 4 p.m., or Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Mountains and Rivers Backpacking Sesshins The following information applies to the Saturday and Sunday One-day Sittings
and the Multi-day Sittings. They share these common elements: -
Alternating periods of zazen and kinhin -
Meals served in the zendo, oryoki style -
Lecture -
Work Period -
Short services consisting of bowing and chanting See the Sample schedule below. Actual
schedules may vary, so please check the bulletin board, the Newsletter or the
website for up to date information.
Fees. The fee for
most sesshins is $25 per day for dues-paying Members and Friends and $30 for
all others. Fees for other sittings are listed with the sitting. Please pay
in advance. Scholarships are available. Leave checks marked sitting fee in the kitchen porch door donation slot.
Plan to attend the entire sesshin.
The intention for sesshin is to participate fully in an extended sitting. If
you cannot make the commitment to participate in the entire sitting, please
consider a different sitting. For multi-day sesshins, there is a minimum number
of days required.
If this is your first sesshin
at Berkeley Zen Center. Please contact the Sesshin
Director before signing up. It is strongly recommended that
you participate in a full Saturday schedule (6 a..m to 11 a.m.) and that have
experience in eating oryoki style.
Meals. Meals served
during sesshin are vegetarian, but not necessarily vegan. The menu is posted
in the kitchen prior to sesshin and on the bulletin board during sesshin. BZC
is not able to provide special diets. However, if you have food allergies or
special requirements, speak to the Sesshin Director
to determine what accommodations may be made. What to bring (and not to bring)
We ask that people do not wear
jewelry, watches or scents in the zendo.
Do not bring valuables. Berkeley Zen Center is not responsible
for items that are lost or stolen. It is best to leave valuables at home.
Do bring clothes
to work in. Most sesshins include a period of work after lunch. This work
can be in the garden or doing repair and maintenance. We recommend that you
bring clothes that are suitable for work and for outdoor wear.
Bring items that you need for
your personal comfort, for example an eye pillow for rest period.
You must sign up ahead of time for all sittings. The usual method
of signing up is to write your name and phone number on a sign up sheet that
is posted on the bulletin board at Berkeley Zen Center. The sign up sheet is
posted at least two weeks before the sesshin. The sign up deadline is usually
three days before the sesshin, on the Wednesday morning before weekend sesshins. If you live out of town and cannot come to sign-up, you may contact BZC by phone
but make sure to do so at least 10 days before sesshin date. (Please note that it is not possible to sign up for Sesshin by e-mail.)
Berkeley Zen Center has limited space for overnight guests.
However, we do accommodate people as much as we are able. If you need overnight
accommodations, contact the Shika. The Shika takes care of guests. The Shikas name and number
are posted on the sign up sheet. Messages left at Berkeley Zen Center regarding
staying overnight will be passed on the Shika. A sample schedule for a Saturday sitting is: Hits since 03/03/13:
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