Dharma Rain - Retreats
Retreats
Periods of focused practice are an ancient and vital part of Buddhist, and
especially Zen, tradition. At retreat we have an opportunity to focus on
deep meditation and inner reflection. The longer retreats include the opportunity
for private interviews with teachers, lectures and special ceremonies, as
well as formal meals (oryoki) and longer periods of meditation. Retreats
are held in town at the Portland Dharma Center unless specified otherwise.
Meals are vegetarian, with a dairy-free option, and other dietary restrictions
can generally be accommodated with advance notice.
Watch the schedule and newsletter for information
about upcoming retreats. Many are open to the public to drop in for meditation
and services, but require
people to sign up ahead of time for meals and overnights. Further information
about retreats is available by contacting the Center.
Approximately every month, the Center holds a retreat. These range
from one-day retreats on Saturdays (Zazenkai),
weekend retreats, to a week-long intensive sesshin,
a term which means “examine the heart.” Retreats
include meditation and services, tea, class, work periods, and some also
include an opportunity for
discussion and questions.

Beginners Retreat
This weekend,
residential retreat is designed to provide familiarity with
internal and external practices of Soto Zen Buddhism. Instruction is provided
for newcomers, and practitioners of all levels are welcome to deepen their
practice and hold the container. Currently scheduled three times a year:
in February,
June,
and September.

Zazenkai
An all-day intensive practice of sitting, typically 8 hours of sitting in
three blocks during a 12-hour period (from 5am to 5pm). Also includes two
oryoki meals, brief work practice, and breaks. Currently
scheduled about
every 6 weeks.


Segaki Retreat — Fall
Every fall,
we hold
a weekend Segaki retreat,
focused on cleansing karma and releasing attachments to the past,
including those who have died. For photos of the 2006 children’s
ceremony, click here.
Next scheduled for October 25-27, 2013.

Rohatsu Sesshin — Early December
In early December, we hold
a week-long Rohatsu sesshin,
in honor of the Buddha’s enlightenment;
this is a deep and profoundly quiet retreat. 2013 dates are December
1-8.


Jukai — Early Spring
In the early spring, usually mid-March, we
have Jukai, the week devoted to giving
and receiving the Buddhist Precepts.
In 2013 the dates are March 18-24.
Daijukai — 2014
Every third year, we do the major ceremonies of Daijukai,
which are rarely performed in the United States. The next Daijukai is scheduled
for 2014.

Denkoe
In May, we do Denkoe, a week-long
sesshin devoted to the ancestors, during which we study a chapter of
the
Denkoroku. In 2013, dates are May 14-19.

Summer Sesshin — Genzo-e
This 5-day, in-town retreat, examines a fascicle of Dogen’s Shobogenzo.
2013 dates are August 6-10. See more
information (from 2012 sesshin).

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