When Gautama’s eyeball vanishes,
Plum blossoms in snow, just one branch,
Become thorn branches, here, everywhere, right now.
Laughing, spring wind blows madly.
(tr. Kaz Tanahashi)

Rohatsu celebrates the Buddha’s awakening. This moment outside of time is traditionally commemorated in time on December 8. At sesshin we commit ourselves in turn to the Buddha’s timeless path of practice and realisation.

Our five-day non-residential sesshin will be held at Sydney Zen Centre, 251 Young Street, Annandale, beginning Wednesday evening December 3 and running through lunchtime on Wednesday December 8.

Participants can choose to attend full-time or in specific blocks (early morning, morning, afternoon, evening) on specific days. This flexible structure is designed to accommodate the demands of peoples’ busy lives, particularly at this time of year.

The schedule includes zazen, walking meditation, sutra recitation, dokusan and teisho.

All participants are asked to attend Wednesday evening for the opening of sesshin, unless there are exceptional reasons not to.

Supper will be provided Thursday-Sunday evenings, and breakfast on Thursday-Sunday mornings.