Buddha’s Birthday Sesshin 2024

A 2-day meditation retreat
(Zoom & In-person)

Thursday, April 4 (eve.) – Saturday, April 6 (eve.)
(REGISTER BELOW)

Led by Sensei George Mukei Horner

RETREAT INFO

This Sesshin is a two-daylong retreat devoted to samadhi practice, offered both in-person at ZCLA and via Zoom. With Great Silence observed throughout, it is an opportunity to intensify and deepen your practice through the experience of periods of uninterrupted meditation (zazen), walking meditation (kinhin), a dharma talk, service, face-to-face meetings with Sensei Mukei, as well as time for mindful work practice (samu) and meals. Zoom participants will have time to eat, walk and do their own samu at home, then link back into the sesshin schedule. Open to everyone, newcomers* are especially welcomed to attend. Full time participation is encouraged. If you wish to participate part time, please let Myoki know your precise attendance, including expected arrival and departure times. Part time consists of at least a half a day, including all scheduled activities. Housing is not guaranteed. First come, first served. 

Click here to view schedule.

In-person participants:
DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS SUNDAY, MARCH 31.
$25 fee will be charged for dropping out or registering past posted deadlines.

In-person participation is limited. Please register early to guarantee a seat in the Zendo.

 

Zoom Participants:
DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS THURSDAY, APRIL 4 @ 9 a.m.

$25 fee will be charged for dropping out or registering past posted deadlines.

Members: $40/Day; $80/Fulltime

Non-Members: $60/Day; $120/Fulltime

 

 

EMAIL TO ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL GO OUT THE MORNING OF THURSDAY, APRIL 4.

 

 

(If you have concerns about payments click here to request Dharma Training Fund. If you have any other questions, please contact Myoki at programsteward@zcla.org.)

*Non-members and new members: Attending an in-person “Introduction to Zen Meditation Class” or Beginner’s Wednesday offering is a prerequisite for attending all onsite activities.

COME FOR SESSHIN, STAY FOR BUDDHA’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!

Sunday, April 7, 2023

7:00-8:30 a.m. Flower Bower Decoration

8:30 Gate of Sweet Nectar Service

9:00-9:35 Zazen (In-person F2F)

9:35-9:45 Outside Walking Zen

9:45-10:20 Zazen (In-person F2F)

10:20-10:30 4 Vows/Bows/Closing Ceremony

11:00 Buddha’s Birthday Service

12:00 p.m. Sangha Lunch & Birthday Cake

BREAKDOWN & RESTORE.

Join in celebrating the birth of the Buddha and all of us baby buddhas in the Zen Center’s Garden. A tiny house decorated with flowers will be erected in the garden. Afterwards, the Birth Story of the Buddha and his first steps in the world will be told.

Come and help decorate at 7:00 a.m.

Everyone is invited to bring a small bouquet of flowers as an offering during the service.

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT

Check off your days:

Select all that apply and add the total to your program fee in the “Enter Amount” field

Enter any additional notes regarding your retreat registration including food allergies, gender and housing requests. If you are commuting or a part-time participant, please use this field to indicate your expected arrival and departure times:

Sensei George Mukei Horner is a preceptor and Dharma Holder at the Zen Center of Los Angeles, where he has been a member since 1984. He received Dharma Transmission (Denbo) from Roshi Egyoku in 2022. He is also the Zendo Steward, overseeing the training of service positions for the meditation hall, and an instructor for various classes offered at ZCLA.