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 Friday evening December 6 and running through lunchtime on Wednesday December 11.

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 Friday evening for the opening of sesshin, unless there are exceptional reasons not to.

Supper will be provided Saturday-Tuesday evenings, and breakfast on Saturday-Wednesday mornings.