Kodoji weekend retreat

This retreat at our bush zendo, Kodoji, is led by apprentice teacher, Peter Bursky, over two days – Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July.

Set in the Upper McDonald Valley, Kodoji is absolutely beautiful in Wintertime. Blue skies, warm fires and the song of birds fill our hearts. Come along to experience the crispness of your practice.

The theme is ZAZEN, and the format will reflect a focus towards the silent winter cold of Kodoji’s deep valley mist. There will also be plenty of opportunities for dokusan.

The fee to attend is:
Members $24 per night, Non-members $34 per night.
Please transfer the relevant amount from your bank account via PayID using our email address using KWR and your last name as the reference: info@szc.org.au

Here is the Schedule:

Day One – Saturday 4th July  5pm to 9pm

5.00 to 5.30pm – Guidelines and opening words
5.30 to 7.00       – Zazen / kinhin
7.00 to 9.00      – Zazen / kinhin
Dokusan begins at 7.00pm until 8.30pm
9.00pm             – Rest

Day Two – Sunday 5th July  5.30am to 4pm
5.00 to 5.30pm – Dojo open for yoga, stretchin, etc
5.30 to 7.00       – Zazen / kinhin
7.00 to 9.00      – Breakfast / samu
9.00 to 10.00   – Zazen / kinhin
10.00 to 12.30 – Zazen / kinhin
Dokusan begins at 10am until 12 noon
12.30 to 2.00    – Lunch and rest
2.00 t0 3.30    – Zazen / kinhin
3.30 to 4.00    – Closing words / sharing
4.00pm            – End

If you would like to join, please contact Peter at petermbursky@protonmail.com for more info.

Class Timetable

  Open Time Close Time Trainer Address
04/07/2026 5:00 PM 9:00 PM Peter Bursky Kodoji, Upper McDonald Valley
04/07/2026 5:00 PM 9:00 PM Peter Bursky Kodoji, Upper McDonald Valley
05/07/2026 5:00 AM 4:00 PM Peter Bursky Kodoji, Upper McDonald Valley
04/07/2026
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM - with Peter Bursky - at Kodoji, Upper McDonald Valley
04/07/2026
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM - with Peter Bursky - at Kodoji, Upper McDonald Valley
05/07/2026
5:00 AM - 4:00 PM - with Peter Bursky - at Kodoji, Upper McDonald Valley

Peter Bursky began serious meditation practice in 2007. His initial dive into the Insight and Tibetan traditions was followed with the intention to become a Buddhist monk, and he soon found himself wandering from monastery to monastery throughout Vietnam, Thailand and India. Upon discovering Dogen 'Mountains and Waters Sutra' and Robert Aitken's 'Taking the Path of Zen' in a far away library in India, he soon found himself back in Australia looking up the Sydney Zen Centre, a place that finally felt like home. Beginning koan practice in 2010 with Subhana Barzaghi Rōshi, he has since studied primarily with Subhana Barzaghi Rōshi and Allan Marett Rōshi. He was invited to become an apprentice teacher in 2019. He is also a musician, has a degree in music, runs a record label and is a student in the Ueda Sōko-ryū tradition of Chanoyu (Japanese Tea Ceremony). He lives amongst the mountains and rivers of the Hawkesbury river with his wife, two boys, two dogs and four lazy chickens.