Sesshin Info

Contact the sesshin director: sesshindirectorbzc@gmail.com

At 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: 5:00 am – 9:10 pm

Sunday One-Day Sittings: 5:00 am – 5:30 pm

Multi-Day Sittings: 5:00 am – 9:10 pm, last day 5:00 am – 5:00 pm

Half-Day Sittings: Sundays 8:00 a.m.- 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

Sample Saturday Sesshin Schedule: (Actual schedules may vary, so please check the bulletin board, the Newsletter or the website for up to date information)

     5:00 Zazen
     5:40 Kinhin
     5:50 Zazen
     6:30 Service
     7:00 Breakfast
     7:45 Rest
     8:30 Zazen
     9:10 Kinhin
     9:20 Zazen
    10:00 Kinhin
    10:10 Lecture
    11:00 Kinhin
    11:10 Zazen
    11:50 Service
    12:00 Lunch
    12:45 Rest
     1:45 Work Meeting
     3:30 Cleanup
     3:45 Tea in the Zendo
     4:00 Kinhin
     4:10 Open Period
     5:30 Kinhin
     5:40 Zazen
     6:20 Service
     6:30 Supper
     7:10 Rest
     7:40 Zazen
     8:20 Kinhin
     8:30 Zazen
     9:10 Departing Refuges

Basic Information

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 am to 11 am) and that you 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 to Sesshin

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.

What Not to Bring to Sesshin

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. Please do not wear scented body products or clothes washed with scented products.

Staying at Berkeley Zen Center

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 shika’s 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.

Fees

The fee for sesshin is $35 per day. With recognition that some people will not be able to pay the full amount, accommodations are readily made by contacting the sesshin director. We ask that participants pay in advance.

Signing Up

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.