Dharma Rain - Retreats
Residential Practice & Dharma Studies / Seminary
Residential Practice
Other programs offered at the Center include residential training and a dharma studies / seminary program.
Residential practice is an opportunity for members
to live in the Center, part-time or full-time. Dharma Rain Zen Center residents commit to
becoming an intimate part of the residential community as well as deepening their relationship
to the larger DRZC Sangha. They commit to spending more time and energy doing formal practice
within the context of Sangha than is usually possible outside of residency.
During their term of residency they seek out and accept guidance from the Center
teachers, Soto Zen teachings, and the dharma inherent in the Center's training
matrix and traditions. As work outside the temple and personal commitments
allow, residents attend daily zazen, communal meals, Wednesday evening and
Sunday morning programs, work practice
days, monthly Fusatsu and
in-town retreats. They have informal sanzen
(interview) with the Center teachers at least once a term and
participate in the Term Student program if possible. They also hold regular
temple jobs
and make themselves available for temple work projects.
DRZC members who have been actively involved in the Center for at least
a year are eligible for residency. An interview process by the Residency Review
Committee (which includes a board member) decides with the applicant whether
this is appropriate for them and us at the time. Read the
guidelines and
see the application.

Dharma Studies / Seminary
A Dharma Studies / Seminary program is available for members
who have an established practice
and an interest in more intensive study. The program offers a series of classes
focusing in depth on particular sutras, periods of history and teachings
in Zen Buddhism. They are both more academic, requiring homework and committed
study, and more personal, requiring involvement in a personal practice of
meditation. Seminary requires permission to enroll. For more information, contact the
Center.
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