“People vow to experience this very same experience of the Buddha as they approach the Rohatsu OSesshin. In every single Zen dojo people put their lives on the line to be able to experience the exact same state of mind, on the eighth of December, as that of the Buddha. This is the firm vow with which they come to Rohatsu OSesshin.”
–Shodo Harada Roshi
December 1st – 8th, 2020
Before taking part in a Virtual Event at Tahoma please read these posts:
Guidelines for Virtual Events and Orientation to Virtual Sesshin.
Please note that this is a winter sesshin and storms and power outages are possible. If there is no connection at a scheduled time, please sit on your own until the host is able to join. Check here on the website where we will post updates as we can.
Dharma Talks will be from Torei Enji’s Discourse on the Inexhaustible Lamp of the Zen School. Download a free PDF of it here (45MB pdf). An archive of previous talks can be found here: Torei zenji’s Discourse talks.
Download the full schedule here: Rohatsu Sesshin Schedule.
Updated for Rohatsu Sutra book: Virtual Sutra book
You will need the above sutra book for Banka.
Sesshin Schedule
Tuesday, December 1st – Monday, December 7th
5:00am | Choka (morning sutras); sampai |
5:40am | Zazen (short period); Kinhin |
6:00am | Zazen; Zazen |
7:00am | Breakfast / Samu / Cleanup |
9:30am | Uninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin |
10:30am | Zazen;Zazen; Kinhin |
11:30am | Zazen |
12:00pm | Lunch / Break |
2:00pm | Dharma Talk; Kinhin |
3:00pm | Zazen; Zazen; Kinhin |
4:00pm | Banka (afternoon sutras); sampai |
4:30pm | Outside/Physical Practice |
5:00pm | Dinner / Break |
6:00pm | Uninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin |
7:00pm | Zazen; Zazen; Kinhin |
8:00pm | Zazen; Zazen; |
Day 1-4 | |
8:45pm | Kaichin / Yaza |
Day 5&6 | |
8:50 | Kinhin; Zazen; Zazen |
9:45pm | Kaichin / Yaza |
Day 7 | |
8:50pm | Kinhin; Zazen; Zazen |
9:45pm | Kaichin / Break |
10:00pm | Zazen; Kinhin (Ho Chanting); Zazen |
11:00pm | Yaza |
Events in Bold will be streamed, events in Italics are self-directed
As the sesshin progresses the schedule runs later. Download the full schedule for details.
Tuesday, December 8th
5:00am | Choka (abbreviated sutras); sampai |
5:40am | Zazen (short period); Kinhin |
6:00am | Zazen; Zazen |
6:50am | Break |
7:00am | Bodhi Day Ceremony |
7:30am | Closing Remarks |
Events in Bold will be streamed, events in Italics are self-directed.
Schedule Notes
Monday November 30th: No evening zazen
Sunday December 6th: No Zazenkai
Wednesday December 9th: No scheduled events
In Person Attendance
The following blocks are open for in-person attendance (masks required):
9:30am-Noon
6:00pm to Close
To receive the links for the Virtual Events by email:
Tahoma Virtual Events mailing list.
There is no fee for participating in this event but do be mindful that virtual events also utilize resources and the monastery does have regular expenses in order to keep open. We wish to facilitate the practice and promote the dharma as widely as possible, thus our practice of putting on these events without cost. This is especially important in these times with so many out of work and confined to home. For those who are able to offer support, we appreciate your including us in your consideration. Thank your for your continuing support and please email us with any questions: Contact Information.