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 : Register for September Sesshin
• Oct 13-15 : Register for October Sesshin

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

• Nov 11, Introduction to Zen, Register

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

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

Dec. 2-9: Register for Rohatsu Sesshin

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.

When: Saturday, December 9, 10:30 a.m. MST

In-person: Please RSVP to let us know you are coming. Please arrive by 10:15 a.m.

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

Please join in-person or virtually for our annual Shuso Hossen ceremony at the end of Rohatsu Sesshin. This year, Great Mountain Zen Center will celebrate the Head Trainee ceremony (Shuso Hossen) for Lisa Eko Leahigh. The ceremony has many parts to it, including a Dharma Dialogue between the audience and Eko; audience members are encouraged to offer challenging questions related to the koan Eko has been studying throughout the Ango, or about any other Dharma or Life topics.

9:00am - 5:00pm MT: Includes lunch and Fusatsu Ceremony

4:00pm - 5:00 pm MT: Fusatsu Ceremony

9:30pm – Midnight MT: New Year’s Midnight Zazen

Bring in the New Year with a clear mind and clear intention. The New Year’s Zazenkai includes a Fusatsu Ceremony (Atonement Ceremony). Optional meditation is available for those who wish to sit through midnight.

During the New Years Zazenkai, the Fusatsu Ceremony will take place from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. 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.

Join part-time or full-time, in-person or virtually.

A meal at lunch will be provided by GMZC for in-person participation. The meal is vegan and gluten free, other than some items which are served on the side such as bread and hard-boiled eggs. If you have specific dietary restrictions beyond this, please bring food for yourself. We have some refrigerator space you can use if needed.

Please make your own dinner arrangements.

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

Dec. 31: Register for New Year's Zazenkai