We celebrate the conclusion of the spring training period and the start of summer with a full day of practice. All of the events of this retreat are open for in-person and drop-in attendance if you are fully vaccinated. While one can drop into any of the periods without prior notice, if you wish to attend the whole day, or through any of the meals you must contact us by Thursday June 16th. If you’d like to make it a weekend event from Friday through Sunday or an overnight please contact us to make arrangements. Please note that any overnight stays need to be arranged by Thursday June 16th. If there is limited in-person signups this retreat will be shift to drop-in and online attendance only.
We will continue to broadcast these retreats via Zoom for those unable to join us. We will begin the online broadcast during regular Friday evening zazen and conclude after Sunday’s Zazenkai allowing for one to be able to extend ones practice beyond the full day.
Update 08.16.21: the heat and poor air quality have subsided for the time being.
Please note that from August 12th through the evening of August 14th Western Washington is under an Excessive Heat Advisory. Temperatures in the zendo for evening services can easily exceed 80(f).
Additionally there is an Air Quality alert as wildfire smoke from British Columbia, Eastern Washington and Oregon have made their way here. There is makeshift air filtration in the zendo to attempt to alleviate this but it requires the windows be kept closed and we won’t run the fans during zazen.
We will continue to offer morning and evening zazen but be advised of the effects of poor air quality and be aware of the temperature constraints. The temperatures are more reasonable during the morning service but the air quality can be just as poor at that time.
Join us in person at Tahoma Zen Monastery or online this May for a weekend retreat as we continue with the Spring Training Period. We will begin with extended evening Zazen on Friday, have a full day of practice on Saturday and conclude with Zazenkai on Sunday. Take this opportunity to maintain and deepen your practice. We encourage you to try to adhere to as much of the schedule as you are committing to. For those participating online the retreat requires some extra commitment toward self-direction for much of the practice. But the rewards are just as great.
For in-person attendance you must be able be fully vaccinated (two weeks past the final shot). As per new CDC Guidelines which Washington State is following if everyone is fully vaccinated no masking is required. Thus we will require vaccines for all attendance and no masks. The zendo is setup for people to be well spaced and there will be open windows in all public spaces for increased airflow. We will also expect regular hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer before meals. As we navigate the return of in-person events we hope that everyone will practice forbearance and understanding. We all must respond to circumstance.
For those interested in participating in-person please contact us to express your interest so we can accurately plan meals. For those who would like to stay over the weekend camping is available and a very limited amount of indoor residency options. Please contact us to arrange accommodations
We begin Friday May 28th with an evening block of zazen: 5:55pm to 8:45pm: Zazen
On Saturday May 29th will be four broadcast blocks throughout the day: 4:55am – 6:55am: Choka and zazen 10:25am to 11:55am: Zazen 1:55pm to 4pm: Dharma Talk and Zazen 5:55pm to 8:45pm: Zazen
On Sunday May 30th there will be two broadcast blocks to conclude our weekend: 4:55am – 6:30am: Choka and zazen 7:55am to 10:00am: Zazenkai: chanting, zazen, short talk, q&a
Part time and drop-in attendance for the vaccinated is allowed at all events. Only those taking part all day on Saturday can attend meals. Please see the website for details or contact us with any questions.
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.
Join us online this April for a weekend retreat as we continue with the Spring Training Period. We will begin with evening Zazen on Friday, have a full day of practice on Saturday and conclude with Zazenkai on Sunday. Take this opportunity to maintain and deepen your practice. We encourage you to try to adhere to as much of the schedule as you are committing to. Online retreats require some extra commitment as we must self-direct much of our practice. But the rewards are just as great.
We begin Friday April 9th with an evening block of zazen: 5:55pm to 8:45pm: Zazen
On Saturday April 10th will be four broadcast blocks throughout the day: 4:55am – 6:55am: Choka and zazen 10:25am to 11:55am: Zazen 1:55pm to 4pm: Dharma Talk and Zazen 5:55pm to 8:45pm: Zazen
On Sunday April 11th there will be two broadcast blocks to conclude our weekend: 4:55am – 6:30am: Choka and zazen 7:55am to 10:00am: Zazenkai: chanting, zazen, short talk, q&a
Drop-in attendance is allowed at all events on Friday and Saturday with masks required. There are no public events on Sunday. At this time we still are not able to allow for residency or shared meals. We encourage people to come for the samu period from 8:15am-10am. Please see the website for details or contact us with any questions.
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.
ll times Pacific Time. Please tune in five minutes before scheduled events. Events in Bold will be streamed. All other events are self-directed AllBolded events can be attended in-person (masks required). Please contact us for details.
Saturday April 10th
5:00am
Choka (Sutras p.3-14); Han;Kinhin
6:00am
Zazen; Zazen
7:00am
Breakfast Break
8:15am
Samu*
10:30am
Zazen Zazen; Kinhin
11:00am
Zazen;
11:55am
Lunch Break
2:00pm
Dharma Talk; Kinhin; Zazen; Zazen
4:00pm
Physical/Outside practice
5:00pm
Dinner Break
6:00pm
Uninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin;
7:00pm
Zazen; Zazen; Kinhin
8:00pm
Zazen; Zazen
8:45pm
Kaichin
All times Pacific Time. Please tune in five minutes before scheduled events. Events in Boldwill be streamed. All other events are self-directed Samu and all Bolded events can be attended in-person (masks required). Please contact us for details.
Sunday, April 11th
5:00am
Choka(sutras p.3-7,10,12,13); Han;Kinhin
6:00am
Zazen
6:30am
Breakfast break
8:00am
Zazenkai(sutras p.3,10,14)
9:30am
“Tea” – Conversation and questions
ll times Pacific Time. Please tune in five minutes before scheduled events. Events in Bold will be streamed. All other events are self-directed No In-Person events on this day.
Vernal Equinox Retreat March 15th-21st, 2021 –Online Only-
March heralds the beginning of spring and with it our spring training period. Please join us online from March 15th through the 21st for a weeklong retreat. This retreat is a fully virtual sesshin meaning that anyone, anywhere can take part for as much as one is able. As always we recommend committing to what you are able to attend and then holding the sesshin spirit for that period. Sesshin is always and only as deep and powerful as you make it.
Broadcast Periods 4:55am – 6:55am: Choka and zazen 9:55am to 11:55am: Zazen 1:55pm to 4pm: Dharma Talk and Zazen 5:55pm to 8:45pm: Zazen
As with all of our online events there will be four broadcast blocks throughout the day. Beyond that we have a detailed daily schedule that is posted below. Please note the different schedules on the first and final days. We strongly encourage you to try to adhere to as much of the schedule as you are committing to; have your meals when we do, work around your domicile during the samu period, engage in some form of exercise during the physical practice period, keep conversations to a bare, functional minimum, eliminate media consumption and so on. Hold the sesshin spirit!
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.
ll times Pacific Time. Please tune in five minutes before scheduled events. Events in Bold will be streamed. All other events are self-directed *These Events can be attended in-person (masks required) please contact us for details.
Tuesday, March 13th-Saturday March 21st
5:00am
Choka (Sutras p.3-14); Han;Kinhin
6:00am
Zazen; Zazen
7:00am
Breakfast; Cleanup
8:30am
Samu
10:00am*
Uninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin
11:00am*
Zazen; Zazen
11:55am
Lunch; Cleanup
2:00pm
Dharma Talk; Kinhin; Zazen; Zazen
4:00pm
Physical/Outside practice
5:00pm
Dinner; Cleanup
6:00pm*
Uninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin;
7:00pm*
Zazen; Zazen; Kinhin
8:00pm*
Zazen; Zazen
8:45pm*
Han; Closing Sutra(p.17); Sampai
9:00pm
Kaichin/Yaza
All times Pacific Time. Please tune in five minutes before scheduled events. Events in Boldwill be streamed. All other events are self-directed *These Events can be attended in-person (masks required) please contact us for details.
Sunday, March 21st
5:00am
Choka(sutras p.3-7,10,12,13); Han;Kinhin
6:00am
Zazen
6:30am
Breakfast
8:00am
Zazenkai(sutras p.3,10,13)
9:30am
break
10:00am
Zazen; Zazen; Closing Sutra (p.6,7)
11:00am
Q&A/Book Discussion
ll times Pacific Time. Please tune in five minutes before scheduled events. Events in Bold will be streamed. All other events are self-directed No In-Person events on this day.
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.
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
5am
Choka; Sampai; Kinhin; Zazen
6am
Zazen; Zazen
7am
Breakfast; Cleanup
8:30am-9:30am
Samu
10am
Uninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin
11am
Zazen; Zazen
11:55am
Lunch; Cleanup
2pm
DharmaTalk; Kinhin; Zazen; Zazen
4pm
Physical/Outside practice
5pm
Dinner; Cleanup
6:00pm
Uninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin;
7:00pm–8:45pm
Zazen; Zazen; Kinhin
8am
Zazen; Zazen
8:45pm
Kaichin
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).
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.
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.
NOTE: The Zoom link has been updated for Tuesday’s event.
The second Monday of most months the head monk from Tahoma Zen Monastery visits Watermoon Dojo in Seattle, for an evening and morning or practice. As we are currently Staying at Home we will observe these events virtually using Zoom. While we of course will miss our time at WMD, this does allow anyone to take part in this virtual visit. If interested in taking part, please read through our Virtual Practice Guidelines before joining the events.
Monday June 8th, 7:00pm to 8:30pm PDT 7:00pm: Chant Service (Heart Sutra, Song of Zazen, Dai Segaki) 7:15pm: Two periods of zazen 7:55pm: Han / Kinhin (or break) 8:00pm: Short talk and Q&A 8:25pm Concluding zazen and chanting of the Four Great Vows
Download a PDF with all the chants here: Chant booklet
Zoom Link: [event has passed]
Tuesday June 9th, 6:30am to 8:30am PDT 6:30am Choka (chant service) 7:00am Zazen 7:20am Han / Kinhin (or break) 7:30am: Dharma talk 8:00am Zazen 8:30am Conclude with a few minutes for chatting
Note We will follow the Tahoma Choka, omitting the Enmei Jukko Kannon Gyo and after the Four Great Vows we will chant Dai Segaki for the dead and dying and conclude with Sampai.
Island County is currently in Phase 2 of the Washington State Guidance for reopening. This allows meeting with up to Five (5) individuals outside of your family group, whom have also been effectively physical distancing.
Thus within the following restrictions we are allowing attendance at our evening public zazen. Morning Chant Service and Sunday Zazenkai remains closed.
Evening Zazen
Monday through Saturday: 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Please arrive at least five minutes early if you wish to attend.
We are not open to the public at this time for our morning chant service, nor Sunday Zazenkai.
If you note that there are already Five (5) people in the zendo, or your party will add up to more than Five (5) total in the zendo, please come another time.
Stay Six (6) feet apart from other practitioners.
Do not move cushions, chairs or other items from where they are. You can change or add cushions from the cabinet in the gaitan.
If you start to feel sick, depart at a stretch break or during kinhin (walking meditation).
Sanitize your hands before opening the zendo door.
Thoroughly wash your hands. Take at least the length of time it takes to chant (to yourself!) the Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo three (3) times.
Cover your mouth/nose with your elbow or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
Do not shake hands or hug. A gassho (bow) is sufficient.
Visiting Tahoma
We have been allowing people to visit and walk the trails and grounds. This continues into Phase 2 with no changes to our general policy. If visiting please follow these general rules.
Please stay out of all buildings, except for the zendo during designated public zazen.
May 12th-16th: Virtual Sesshin Tahoma Zen Monastery
Now in Progress. See the Schedule below and use the Zoom Link to Join. Read the Orientation Post on how to best take advantage of this opportunity.
Zoom Meeting Link:[Event has concluded]
Sesshin Schedule
5:00am
Choka (Sutras); sampai
5:40am
Zazen [short period]; Kinhin
6:05am
Zazen; Zazen
7:00am
Breakfast / samu / break
11:00am
UninterruptedOutside Zazen [weather permitting]
12:00pm
Lunch / break
2:00pm
Dharma Talk; Zazen; Kinhin
3:00pm
Zazen; Zazen
4:00pm
Outside Practice
5:00pm
Dinner / Break
6:00pm
Uninterrupted Zazen; Kinhin
7:00pm
Zazen; Zazen; Kinhin
8:00pm
Zazen; Zazen;
8:50pm
Closing Sutra [Tahoma Sutra Book, p. 17]
9:00pm
Kaichin / Yaza
All times Pacific Standard Time. Events in Bold will be streamed, events in Italics are self-directed. Download the full schedule here: May Sesshin Schedule.
