DAY OF ZAZEN—”ZAZENKAI”

Next date: Saturday, December 14, 2024

Reminder - we are at our New Location in the Social Hall of Washington Ethical Society

About Zazenkai

Zazenkai or “Day of Zen” is a chance to deepen our practice. We have the opportunity to sit together for a longer period of time than on Wednesday evenings. We maintain contemplative silence during zazenkai until our Way of Council at the end.

Our Program Includes: tea and light snacks, zazen, teisho (talks by Zen teachers), dokusan, chanting, and instruction. Our typical schedule is at the bottom of this page. Please bring a bag lunch, and wear comfortable clothes that are clean and non-distracting. A refrigerator and microwave are available.

Zazenkai is held from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Silver Spring Zendo.

RSVP and Information

Cushions (zafus), mats (zabutons), and a few seiza benches are available to borrow. We also have chairs.
When you sign up online, please indicate what you would like for the first sit we can prepare the zendo. You can switch to other available seating during a break if you get uncomfortable.

A requested donation of $25 helps us cover costs we incur for the day. Donations can be made as you register, or later via PayPal, check, or cash. More details are on the donations page. If you pay by check or use PayPal after you register, please note that your payment is for zazenkai.

You do not have to attend the full zazenkai if your time is limited. Let us know when you plan to arrive or leave in the comments space when you register so we can place a cushion for you. If you arrive during a zazen period, wait outside the zendo and join us during kinhin (walking meditation). Please leave during kinhin or a break as well.

We usually hold zazenkai on second Saturdays. Our upcoming zazekai dates are on our Event Calendar.

Sitting at Zazenkai

Zazenkai at our Silver Spring Location

 One Heart Sangha Zazenkai Schedule (Subject to change)

(Generally) Second Saturday of Each Month - 8:40AM to 3:00PM


8:15-8:45 Arrive, set up zendo, store food, and settle-in to zendo

  • Be seated by 8:55

9:00-10:30 Zazen and Kinhin (3 sits)

  • Opening bells, Incense Offering, Opening Chants

  • Silent practice

10:30-10:45 Tea/Snack Break (in foyer/outside of zendo)

10:45-12:15 Zazen and Kinhin (3 sits)

  • Silent practice, encouraging words, interviews, chant practice

12:15-12:45 Lunch Break (in foyer/outside of zendo)

  • Meal Gatha

  • Return to cushions by 12:40

12:45-2:15 Zazen and Kinhin (3 sits)

  • Silent practice, chant practice, and interviews

2:15-2:45 Closing Circle - Way of Council

  • Quietly move mats into a circle

  • Way of council ends when all have spoken or by 2:45

~2:45 Incense Offering Ending with Four Vows

2:45-3:00 Pack Up Zendo and Depart