Sesshin is where the magic really happens. Join the Maitreya Abbey residents and other in-person and virtually attending participants from around North America and beyond for seated and walking meditation, chanting, and Dharma Talks. These retreats are silent and all participants follow a schedule that leaves little free time. The intention is to concentrate on one's meditation practice in all activities. Saturday includes roughly 6-8 hours of seated meditation. You are welcome to join the entire retreat or just parts; for partial attendance, see the detailed schedule to see where you'd like to join. Please do not let inabilities to make a donation limit your attendance. Find more detailed information about sesshin here: SESSHIN INFO

Overnight accommodations are currently not available for weekend sesshins, except in specific limited exceptions for out-of-town members ($80/day). In-person participants are encouraged to stay at their homes over night if local, or in a nearby hotel, B&B, VRBO, or Air B&B.

Use this link to join: https://zoom.us/j/373766642

2023 Dates:

• Feb 17-19 : Register for February Sesshin
• Mar 24-26 : Register for March Sesshin
• Apr 21-23 : Register for April Sesshin
• Sep 15-17
• Oct 13-Sep 1

Zazenkais are single-day meditation retreats beginning at 8am and finishing at 5pm. These retreats include meditation, a chanting service, walking meditation, light stretching, a Dharma Talk, and a Closing Circle. Vegan lunch, snacks, and tea are included. Virtual and in-person participation are welcome. Beginner's Mind versions of zazenkais include more instruction on meditation, zendo ritual, and the general philosophical approach to Zen practice.

Use this link to join: https://zoom.us/j/373766642

2023 Dates:

• Jan 21, Beginner's Mind Zazenkai
• May 13, Beginner's Mind Zazenkai, Register for May Zazenkai
• Aug 19, Beginner's Mind Zazenkai
• Nov 11, Beginner's Mind Zazenkai

The week-long sesshin is the maker of Buddhas. These retreats test the internal strength of Zen students and their ability to persevere through mental, emotional, and physical difficulty in order to delay instant gratification for something much more profound. Full days include roughly 6-8 hours of seated meditation. You are welcome to join the entire retreat or just parts; for partial attendance, see the detailed schedule to see where you'd like to join. Please do not let inabilities to make a donation limit your attendance. Find more detailed information about sesshin here: SESSHIN INFO

Use this link to join: https://zoom.us/j/373766642

June 17-24 : Register for 7 Day Summer Sesshin

Ango is the 90-day intensive practice period. The Ango Entering Ceremony marks the beginning of the Ango. There will be a ceremony on the first night of the September Weekend Sesshin from 7:00-8:30pm. Ceremony participants are asked to set their intentions for the remainder of the practice period. Non-retreatants are welcome to attend. No registration necessary.

Use this link to join: https://zoom.us/j/373766642

The week-long sesshin is the maker of Buddhas. The Rohatsu Sesshin commemorates the enlightement of the Buddha and is the end of the Fall Ango, the 90-day intensive training period. These retreats test the internal strength of Zen students and their ability to persevere through mental, emotional, and physical difficulty in order to delay instant gratification for something much more profound. Full days include roughly 8 hours of seated meditation. Full and part-time participation is welcomed.

Use this link to join: https://zoom.us/j/373766642

During each Ango, the 90-day intensive practice period, a senior student is assigned to be Shuso, or head trainee. At the end of the practice period, on the last day of the 7-day Rohatsu Sesshin, the Shuso will participate in a lively ceremony where they will present a koan, give a talk, and then engage in Dharma Dialogue with those present in order to test the student's understanding. Non-retreatants are welcome to join. No registration necessary.

Use this link to join: https://zoom.us/j/373766642

Bring in the New Year with a clear mind and clear intention. The New Years Sesshin is much like a Weekend Sesshin, but it takes place over New Years and has a slightly different schedule on New Years Eve, which includes a Fusatsu Ceremony (Atonement Ceremony). Optional meditation is available for those who wish to sit through midnight. Participants often go out to lunch at the end of the retreat.

Use this link to join: https://zoom.us/j/373766642

During the New Years Sesshin, the Fusatsu Ceremony will take place on New Years Eve from 6:30-8:30pm. Non retreatants are welcome to join for this ceremony. The Fusatsu Ceremony is a ceremony of renewing one's vows and making atonement; this is a cleansing in preparation of the new year. In some monasteries, this ceremony is done monthly. There will be a chanting service with many full prostrations or standing bows. No registration necessary.

Use this link to join: https://zoom.us/j/373766642

Bring in the New Year with a clear mind and clear intention. During the New Years Sesshin, there will be an optional block of zazen and kinhin from 9:30pm to 12:15am. Non-retreatants are welcome to join.

Use this link to join: https://zoom.us/j/373766642