DAY OF ZAZEN—”ZAZENKAI”
Upcoming Zazenkai Dates
About Zazenkai
We hold zazeknai once a month, on second or third Saturdays. Our upcoming zazekai dates are listed here and on our Event Calendar.
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: zazen periods with kinhin, teisho (talks by Zen teachers), dokusan, chant practice, and tea and light snacks. We end with a Way of Council. 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 8:40 AM to 3:00 PM at the Silver Spring Zendo. Be seated by 8:55 AM for first bell at 9:00 AM.
Registration 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 online as you register, later, or at the zendo 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.
One Heart Sangha Zazenkai Schedule (Subject to change)
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
10:45-12:15 Zazen and Kinhin (3 sits)
Silent practice, encouraging words, interviews, chant practice
12:15-12:45 Lunch Break (in foyer or inside 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