ZEN RETREAT
Pathless Way Cordova Zen Community
28 Oct- 4 Nov
Orca Lodge
Evening Beginner Classes
M-F Oct 29- Nov 2 @ 6:30pm
Saturday 1-day retreat
3 Nov
Maha Sangha 5-day residential retreat
29 Oct- 3 Nov
Everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of experience. Come for an evening class during the week, go to the Saturday one-day sitting, be a resident for the entire week, or any portion that works for you. There is no fee for meals or lodging, but donations will be accepted. The week-long format is similar to a typical daily schedule at a monastery and will include short periods of work practice in the buildings and grounds in the morning and afternoon in exchange for our use of the lodge facilities.
The week’s events are arranged in three tracks, so that people can participate in the entire week-long schedule or choose any portion of the three segments.
Please sign up for events beforehand to allow us to know how to allot our space, how many people to expect, how much equipment will be needed, and how much to prepare for meals and refreshments.
Information & Signup: Phone/text: 429-5565 or email:kelleyweaverling@gmail.com
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Sun Arrival & Orientation
Mon Daily Schedule
Tue Daily Schedule
Wed Daily Schedule
Thu Daily Schedule
Fri Daily Schedule
Sat One-day Retreat
Sun Departure
DAILY SCHEDULE
05:15 Morning Bell
05:45 Zazen
06:15 Kinhin
06:25 Zazen
06:55 Morning Service
07:25 Soji (Temple Cleaning)
07:45 Oryoki Breakfast
0900-1100 Work Practice
1200 Noon Oryoki Lunch
1:00-3:00 Work Practice
3:35 Tea
4:05 Break
4:15 Zazen
4:40 Kinhin
4:50 Zazen
5:15 Evening Service
5:30 Informal Dinner
6:30 Evening Classes
8:30 Zazen
9:00 End Zazen
9:30 Lights out
EVENING CLASSES
The Evening Classes begin at 6:30 pm, and are designed as basic instruction and practice for complete beginners, but can also serve as a refresher for people who have already had some experience in these or other similar practices. The format will be informal, with plenty of time for questions, discussion, and guided practice. Presentations will have printed material for people to take away, and refreshments will be provided. People may choose to participate in zazen at 8:30pm following classes.
EVENING CLASS SCHEDULE
Mon: Meditation
Tue: Chanting
Wed: Services
Thur: Oryoki meal service
Fri: Saturday retreat orientation
SATURDAY ONE-DAY RETREAT
The Saturday schedule is designed as a simplified and shortened one-day example of a traditional week-long sesshin retreat. There will be short morning and afternoon services with abbreviated Zen forms and sutra chanting. Lunch will be served as a traditional Zen meal ceremony with three bowl oryoki sets provided.
It’s recommended that people attend the Evening Classes to be prepared for Saturday’s retreat, but complete beginners are still welcome on Saturday. There will be a very quick orientation and overview Friday evening, and at the very beginning of the Saturday Retreat that will present all the basic information needed.
ORIENTATION
08:45 Arrival coffee, tea and snacks.
09:00 Orientation and overview
10:20 Break
MORNING MEDITATION & SERVICE
10:25 Begin seating for Zazen
10:30 Zazen
10:55 Kinhin
11:05 Zazen
11:30 Service
11:45 Break (meal set-up)
NOON MEAL ORYOKI SERVICE
11:55 Begin seating for meal
12:00 Oryoki Meal Service
12:45 Break (meal tidy-up)
1ST AFTERNOON MEDITATION & SERVICE
1:10 Begin seating for Zazen
1:15 Zazen
1:40 Kinhin
1:50 Zazen
2:15 Service
2:25 Break
2ND AFTERNOON MEDITATION & SERVICE
2:45 Begin seating for Zazen
2:50 Zazen
3:10 Kinhin
3:20 Zazen
3:40 Service
4:00 FINISH Closing words
RECEPTION & DINNER
4:15 Informal reception with light refreshments
5:00 Load-out, cleanup
6:00 Informal dinner