Category: Virtual Practice

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February Virtual Daylong Intensive

On Saturday February 13th, we will devote ourselves to a full day of intensive practice. Deep into winter we can take advantage of the cold, limited daylight and moody weather to spend the day in practice. We will follow our standard virtual sesshin schedule with four blocks broadcast via Zoom.

The Dharma Talk 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.

Join Zoom Meeting:  [cvent has passed]

Event Schedule

Saturday, February 13th

5amChoka; Sampai; Kinhin; Zazen
6amZazen; Zazen
7amBreakfast; Cleanup
8:30am-9:30amSamu
10amUninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin
11amZazen; Zazen
11:55amLunch; Cleanup
2pmDharma Talk; Kinhin; Zazen; Zazen
4pmPhysical/Outside practice
5pmDinner; Cleanup
6:00pmUninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin;
7:00pm–8:45pmZazen; Zazen; Kinhin
8amZazen; Zazen
8:45pmKaichin
All times Pacific Time. Please tune in five minutes before scheduled events.
All Events will be streamed. Events in Italics are self-directed
Blocks in Bold can be attended in-person (masks required).

Download Sutra book: Virtual Sutra book
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.

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Winter Solstice 2020 Observance

On Saturday December 19th, we will observe the shortest day of the year and the conclusion of the Autumn Training Period with extended practice. There will be several periods of zazen throughout the day and a dharma talk along with the regular monastery schedule.

The Dharma Talk 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.

Join Zoom Meeting: [event has passed]

Event Schedule

Saturday, December 19th

5am-7amChoka; Sampai; Kinhin; Zazen
10am-NoonUninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin; Zazen; Zazen
2pm-4pmDharma Talk; Kinhin; Zazen; Zazen
6:30pm–8:30pmUninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin; Zazen; Zazen
All times Pacific Time. Please tune in five minutes before scheduled events.
All Events will be streamed. Blocks in Bold can be attended in-person (masks required).

Download Sutra book: Virtual Sutra book
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.

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Virtual Rohatsu Participation Information

“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

5:00amChoka (morning sutras); sampai
5:40amZazen (short period); Kinhin
6:00amZazen; Zazen
7:00amBreakfast / Samu / Cleanup
9:30amUninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin
10:30amZazen;Zazen; Kinhin
11:30amZazen
12:00pmLunch / Break
2:00pmDharma Talk; Kinhin
3:00pmZazen; Zazen; Kinhin
4:00pmBanka (afternoon sutras); sampai
4:30pmOutside/Physical Practice
5:00pmDinner / Break
6:00pmUninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin
7:00pmZazen; Zazen; Kinhin
8:00pmZazen; Zazen;
Day 1-4
8:45pmKaichin / Yaza
Day 5&6
8:50Kinhin; Zazen; Zazen
9:45pmKaichin / Yaza
Day 7
8:50pmKinhin; Zazen; Zazen
9:45pmKaichin / Break
10:00pmZazen; Kinhin (Ho Chanting); Zazen
11:00pmYaza
All times Pacific Time. Please tune in five minutes before scheduled events
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

5:00amChoka (abbreviated sutras); sampai
5:40amZazen (short period); Kinhin
6:00amZazen; Zazen
6:50amBreak
7:00amBodhi Day Ceremony
7:30amClosing Remarks
All times Pacific Time. Please tune in five minutes before scheduled events
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.

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Virtual Rohatsu 2020

Rohatsu is the traditional peak of the practice year and commemorates the Buddha’s enlightenment.  The classic story is that after his years of ascetic practice the Buddha sat under the Bodhi Tree vowing to sit there until complete awakening. Nine days later on seeing the morning star (Venus) he penetrated to the depths.  Rohatsu Sesshin commemorates this with an eight day sesshin that models a single day of practice. We play the Han as we sit on the first day and not again until on the eighth morning we conclude this one long single day with the Kaimei Han. The amount of sitting increases as the sesshin wears on and it is expected that one sits through the night on the final day.  

Tahoma will hold a Virtual Rohatsu Sesshin on the traditional days, December 1st through 8th.  While we are not able to gather in person, we can all dedicate ourselves to an extended week of zazen. This is an intense schedule and while participating virtually one is not as held by the social pressure we encourage those who can to take full advantage of this opportunity. The broadcast simply provides a structure just as attending a sesshin in person does. The commitment is up to the individual.  If one is able commit to doing the entire sesshin, prepare yourself a space where you can minimize distractions. Have your meals planned out and the shopping completed. Work out a way to do kinhin and physical practice. Then just flow along with the schedule.

Dharma Talks will be from Torei Enji’s Discourse on the Inexhaustible Lamp of the Zen School. This text is rarely engaged with in the west but presents a complete description of Rinzai Zen Training in the Hakuin tradition. If you’d like your own copy you can purchase the book here (scroll down) or download a free PDF of it here (45MB pdf).

Before taking part in a Virtual Event at Tahoma please read these posts:
Guidelines for Virtual Events and Orientation to Virtual Sesshin.

Schedule Notes
Monday November 30th: No evening zazen
Sunday December 6th: No Zazenkai
Wednesday December 9th: No scheduled events

Sesshin Schedule

Tuesday, December 1st – Monday, December 7th

5:00amChoka (morning sutras); sampai
5:40amZazen [short period]; Kinhin
6:00amZazen; Zazen
7:00amBreakfast / samu / cleanup
9:30amUninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin
10:30amZazen;Zazen; Kinhin
11:30amZazen
12:00pmLunch / break
2:00pmDharma Talk; Kinhin
3:00pmZazen; Zazen; Kinhin
4:00pmBanka (afternoon sutras); sampai
4:30pmOutside/Physical Practice
5:00pmDinner / Break
6:00pmUninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin
7:00pmZazen; Zazen; Kinhin
8:00pmZazen; Zazen;
8:45pmKaichin / Yaza
All times Pacific Time. Please tune in five minutes before scheduled events
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

5:00amChoka (abbreviated sutras); sampai
5:40amZazen [short period]; Kinhin
6:00amZazen; Zazen
6:50ambreak
7:00amBodhi Day Ceremony
7:30amClosing Remarks
All times Pacific Time. Please tune in five minutes before scheduled events
Events in Bold will be streamed, events in Italics are self-directed.

Download the full schedule here: Rohatsu Sesshin Schedule.
Updated for Rohatsu Sutra book: Virtual Sutra book

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.

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Virtual November Daylong Intensive

Our November Daylong Intensive for 2020 begins November 14th at 5am utilizing our standard virtual KoSesshin schedule (see below). It will run to around 9pm offering a full day of practice. Take advantage of this opportunity to deepen your practice as we approach the end of the Autumn Training period.

For the Dharma Talks we will be reading from Torei Enji’s Discourse on the Inexhaustible Lamp of the Zen School translated by Yoko Okuda from Tuttle Publishing. Download a PDF of it here (note: links to a 43MB pdf). This has been the reading material for our Autumn Kessei and you can find notes and recordings of the previous discussions here: Discourse on the Inexhaustible Lamp.

Before taking part in a Virtual Event at Tahoma please read these posts:
Guidelines for Virtual Events and Orientation to Virtual Sesshin.

You can download the sutra book that we will be using here: Virtual Sutra Book

The opening day of the sesshin is Friday October 16th at 5am. We request that everyone join all of our events a few minutes early so that you have time to start up the connection and settle in before things begin.

Schedule for Saturday, November 14th

5:00amChoka (sutras p.3-13); sampai
5:40amZazen (short period); Kinhin
6:00amZazen; Zazen;
7:00amBreakfast / Samu / Break
10:00amUninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin
11:00amZazen; Zazen
12:00pmLunch / Break
2:00pmDharma Talk; Kinhin
3:00pmZazen; Zazen
4:00pmPhysical/Outside Practice / Dinner / Break
6:00pmUninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin;
7:00pmZazen; Zazen; Kinhin
8:00pmZazen; Zazen
8:45pmKaichin
All times Pacific Time. Please tune in five minutes before scheduled events
Events in Bold will be streamed, events in Italics are self-directed.

To receive the links for the Virtual Events by email:
Tahoma Virtual Events mailing list.

Thank your for your continuing support and please email us with any questions: Contact Information.

Posted on

October Virtual KoSesshin

Our October Virtual KoSesshin for 2020 begins October 16th at 5am and runs through Sunday October 18th. Friday and Saturday will utilize our standard virtual KoSesshin schedule (see below) and Sunday will incorporate Zazenkai and conclude at noon with an open Q&A.

For the Dharma Talks we will be reading from Torei Enji’s Discourse on the Inexhaustible Lamp of the Zen School translated by Yoko Okuda from Tuttle Publishing. Download a PDF of it here (note: links to a 43MB pdf). This has been the reading material for our Autumn Kessei and you can find notes and recordings of the previous discussions here: Discourse on the Inexhaustible Lamp.

Before taking part in a Virtual Event at Tahoma please read these posts:
Guidelines for Virtual Events and Orientation to Virtual Sesshin.

You can download the sutra book that we will be using here: Virtual Sutra Book

The opening day of the sesshin is Friday October 16th at 5am. We request that everyone join all of our events a few minutes early so that you have time to start up the connection and settle in before things begin.

 Zoom Meeting: [event has passed]

Schedule

Friday, Oct. 16th – Saturday, Oct. 17th

5:00amChoka (sutras p.3-13); sampai
5:40amZazen (short period); Kinhin
6:00amZazen; Zazen;
7:00amBreakfast / Samu / Break
10:00amUninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin
11:00amZazen; Zazen
12:00pmLunch / Break
2:00pmDharma Talk; Kinhin
3:00pmZazen; Zazen
4:00pmPhysical/Outside Practice / Dinner / Break
6:00pmUninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin;
7:00pmZazen; Zazen; Kinhin
8:00pmZazen; Zazen
8:45pmKaichin
All times Pacific Time. Please tune in five minutes before scheduled events
Events in Bold will be streamed, events in Italics are self-directed.

Sunday, Oct. 18th

5:00amChoka (abbreviated sutras); sampai
5:25Zazen (short period); Kinhin
5:45amZazen
6:30amBreakfast / Break
8:00amZazenkai (sutras p.3, 10, 13)
10:00amZazen; Zazen; [short break]
11:00amQ&A/Discussion
All times Pacific Time. Please tune in five minutes before scheduled events
Events in Bold will be streamed, events in Italics are self-directed.

To receive the links for the Virtual Events by email:
Tahoma Virtual Events mailing list.

Thank your for your continuing support and please email us with any questions: Contact Information.

Posted on

Autumnal Equinox Sesshin Essential Information

The Autumnal Equinox Virtual Sesshin for 2020 begins September 21st at 6pm. In this post you can find all of the vital information that you will need to take part in the sesshin.

Sesshin Zoom Link: [event has passed]

You can download full monastery schedule here:
Autumn Equinox Sesshin Schedule.

You can download the sutra book that we will be using here:
Virtual Sutra Book

In the Dharma Talks we will be reading from Torei Enji’s Discourse on the Inexhaustible Lamp of the Zen School translated by Yoko Okuda from Tuttle Publishing. Download a PDF of it here (note: links to a 43MB pdf). We will begin with the Preface by Torei Enji and Daibi Zenji on p. 11. Do read the two forwards beforehand.

Before taking part in a Virtual Event at Tahoma please read these posts:
Guidelines for Virtual Events and Orientation to Virtual Sesshin.

The opening day of the sesshin is Monday September 21st at 6pm. We request that everyone join all of our events a few minutes early so that you have time to start up the connection and settle in before things begin. The schedule for the opening day is:

Monday, Sept. 21st

6:00pmOpening Sutra (p.15) ;  Introductory Talk; Zazen; Kinhin;
7:00pm Zazen; Zazen; Kinhin; Zazen; Zazen
8:45pmClosing sutra (p. 16); Sampai
All times Pacific Time. Please tune in five minutes before scheduled events

The Schedule from Tuesday through Saturday will be our standard virtual sesshin schedule. Locals can drop-in for the late morning and evening Zazen periods (masks required).

Tuesday, Sept. 22nd – Saturday, Sept. 26th

5:00amChoka (sutras p.3-13); sampai
5:40amZazen (short period); Kinhin; Zazen; Zazen;
7:00amBreakfast / Samu / Break
10:00amUninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin; Zazen; Zazen; Kinhin
12:00pmLunch / break
2:00pmSutras (p.14); Dharma Talk; Kinhin; Zazen; Zazen
4:00pmPhysical Practice / Dinner / Break
6:00pmUninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin;
7:00pmZazen; Zazen; Kinhin; Zazen; Zazen
8:45pmClosing Sutra (p.16); Sampai
All times Pacific Time. Please tune in five minutes before scheduled events
Events in Bold will be streamed, events in Italics are self-directed.

The final day, Sunday will be quite different. Morning Sutras will be abbreviated and we will end zazen a little early. There will be no samu period, but our regularly community Zazenkai. Sesshin attendees should tune in to Zazenkai as this will incorporate the final Dharma Talk on the Inexhustible Lamp. After Zazenkai there will be a break and then our concluding activities. After sesshin has ended there will be an hour for Q&A on any topics but especially on the study material. Note: no in-person attendance at any of these events.

Sunday, Sept. 27th

5:00amChoka (abbreviated sutras); sampai; Zazen (short period); Kinhin
6:00amZazen (One 45′ period); kinhin
6:30amBreakfast / Break
8:00amZazenkai (sutras p.3, 10, 13)
10:00amZazen; Zazen; Closing Sutra (p.5)
11:00amQ&A/Discussion
All times Pacific Time. Please tune in five minutes before scheduled events
Events in Bold will be streamed, events in Italics are self-directed.

To receive the links for the Virtual Events by email:
Tahoma Virtual Events mailing list.

Thank your for your continuing support and please email us with any questions: Contact Information.

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Virtual Sutra Book

We’ve put together a new sutra book that is optimally laid out for virtual use. This is a PDF where all of the chants are full page at a readable size. This is designed for either reading on screen or for printing out. It also contains all the sutras that we will do during Choka on a virtual sesshin as well as additional sutras that may be used in other events. I encourage everyone who will attend any of upcoming virtual sesshins or practices days to download a copy of this sutra book.

Download it here: Virtual Sutra Book

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July Daylong Retreat

July 18th Virtual Daylong Retreat
Tahoma Zen Monastery

Join us online for our July Daylong Retreat. All of the sitting periods will be broadcast online and we will follow the schedule of the recent virtual Sesshin.  Drop-in attendance for the zazen and samu periods will be allowed though we will not be able to accommodate any communal activities beyond that.  Drop-in attendance for Choka and the Dharma Talk are not available. Masks required for attendance at any events.

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86373821356?pwd=MjA3YkhMMGZQbGFBUG11bUdMSWl5dz09

Saturday July 18th Schedule 

5:00amChoka (Sutras); sampai ; Han
5:40amZazen [short period]; Kinhin
6:05amZazen; Zazen
7:00amBreakfast / samu / break
11:00amUninterrupted Outside Zazen 
12:00pmLunch / break
2:00pmDharma Talk; Zazen; Kinhin
3:00pmZazen; Zazen
4:00pmOutside Practice / Dinner / Break
6:00pmUninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin
7:00pmZazen; Zazen; Kinhin
8:00pmZazen; Zazen; 
8:50pmKaichin / Yaza
All times  Pacific Time.
Events in Bold will be streamed, events in Italics are self-directed.
Please tune into events five (5) minutes early

Download the sutra book here: Tahoma Sutra book
Dai Segaki can be found here:  Chant booklet

Before taking part in a Virtual Event at Tahoma please read this post:
Guidelines for Virtual Events

To receive the links for the Virtual Events by email:
Tahoma Virtual Events mailing list.

Thank your for your continuing support and please email us with any questions:  Contact Information. 

Notes and sources for the Dharma talks will be posted here, after the end of weekend.

Posted on

Summer Solstice Weekend Intensive

June 19th-21st: Virtual Summer Solstice Weekend
Tahoma Zen Monastery

June 20th is the Summer Solstice and as is our tradition we will sit from sunup to sundown on this day. We will bracket this day of practice with extended sitting Friday evening and Sunday morning, concluding with Zazenkai. All of the sitting periods will be broadcast online and we will follow the schedule of the recent virtual Sesshin.  Drop-in attendance for the zazen and samu periods will be allowed though we will not be able to accommodate any communal activities beyond that. 

Zoom Link:  [event has passed]

Friday evening Schedule

5:30pmUninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin
6:30pmZazen; Zazen; Kinhin
7:30pmZazen; Zazen; 
8:20pmKaichin / Yaza
All times  Pacific Time.
Events in Bold will be streamed, events in Italics are self-directed.
Please tune into events five (5) minutes early

Saturday Schedule 

5:00amChoka (Sutras); sampai ; Han
5:40amZazen [short period]; Kinhin
6:05amZazen; Zazen
7:00amBreakfast / samu / break
11:00amUninterrupted Outside Zazen 
12:00pmLunch / break
2:00pmDharma Talk; Zazen; Kinhin
3:00pmZazen; Zazen
4:00pmOutside Practice / Dinner / Break
6:00pmUninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin
7:00pmZazen; Zazen; Kinhin
8:00pmZazen; Zazen; 
8:50pmKaichin / Yaza
All times  Pacific Time.
Events in Bold will be streamed, events in Italics are self-directed.
Please tune into events five (5) minutes early

Sunday Morning Schedule

5:00amChoka (Sutras); sampai ; Han
5:40amZazen [short period]; Kinhin
6:00amZazen;
6:30amBreakfast / break
8:00amZazenkai
9:15amInformal Q&A
All times  Pacific Time.
Events in Bold will be streamed, events in Italics are self-directed.
Please tune into events five (5) minutes early

Download the sutra book here: Tahoma Sutra book
Dai Segaki can be found here:  Chant booklet

Before taking part in a Virtual Event at Tahoma please read this post:
Guidelines for Virtual Events

To receive the links for the Virtual Events by email:
Tahoma Virtual Events mailing list.

Thank your for your continuing support and please email us with any questions:  Contact Information. 

Notes and sources for the Dharma talks will be posted here, after the end of weekend.