Sesshin (literally "collecting the mind") is a structured intensive retreat at the heart of Zen monastic life. Each day is shaped by multiple periods of zazen, formal oryoki meals eaten in silence according to ancient ritual, work practice, and the sustained quiet of noble silence throughout. This container of stillness and discipline is designed to cut through the noise of everyday habits and create the conditions for genuine insight to arise. While sesshin is open to beginners, you may wish to have a little sitting experience before undertaking sesshin.
Dates for the sesshin can be found in the Yearly Schedule.
5:00 PM Encouraged arrival time
5:30PM Informal dinner offered
7:30PM Orientation in the Buddha Hall followed by one period of Zazen and chanting of Fukanzazengi.
*You are welcome to come anytime before sesshin begins, but are encouraged to arrive by 5:00 PM.
4:30 a.m. Wake-up
5:00 – 5:40 Zazen
5:40 – 5:50 Kinhin
5:50 – 6:30 Zazen
6:30 – 6:50 Service (Heart Sutra)
Oryoki Breakfast
9:00 – 9:40 Zazen
9:40 – 9:50 Kinhin
9:50 – 10:40 Lecture
10:40 – 10:50 Kinhin
10:50 – 11:30 Zazen
11:30 – 12:00 Service (Jijuyu-Zammai)
Oryoki Lunch
1:30 – 3:00 Work Period
3:00 – 3:30 Tea
3:30 – 4:10 Zazen
4:10 – 4:20 Kinhin
4:20 – 5:00 Zazen
5:00 – 5:10 Kinhin
5:10 – 5:50 Zazen
5:50 – 6:00 Service (Dai Hi Shin Dharani)
Oryoki Dinner
7:30 – 8:10 Zazen
8:10 – 8:20 Kinhin
8:20 – 9:00 Zazen (Fukanzazengi)
Schedule follows the same schedule as Saturday morning up through noon service. The sesshin concludes with an informal meal at 12:00 noon.
Ango (practice period) is an opportunity to experience residential monastic life and training. Literally, "Ango" means "Dwelling in One Place in Peace and Harmony."
Registration for full time or part time participation can be arranged. The requirement for ango participation is previous attendance at a minimum of one weekend sesshin at Ryumonji.
Ryumonji offers a traditional Winter and Summer Ango:
Winter Ango — January 20 through March 19
Summer Ango — June 16 through September 17
Dates for the ango can be found in the Yearly Schedule.
5:00 a.m. Wake-up
5:30 Zazen
6:10 Kinhin
6:20 Zazen
7:00 Morning Service
7:20 Oryoki Breakfast
8:00 Soji (Daily Cleaning)
9:00 Chosan (Morning Assembly)
10:00 Study/Sewing
11:00 Zazen
11:40 Noon Service
12:00 p.m. Oryoki Lunch
1:30 Work
3:30 Tea
4:10 Zazen
4:50 Evening Service
5:00 Informal Dinner
7:30 Zazen
8:10 Kinhin
8:20 Zazen
9:00 Lights Out
5:30 a.m. Wake-up
6:00 Zazen
7:00 Morning Service
7:20 Informal Breakfast
8:00 Soji (Daily Cleaning)
9:00 Personal Cleaning Day
11:40 Noon Service (Shuso)
12:00 p.m. Informal Lunch
4:40 Evening Service
5:00 Informal Dinner
7:30 Zazen
8:30 Lights Out
Please register online, call or e-mail Ryumonji to register (also to cancel). We would appreciate knowing your arrival and departure dates and times. Try to attend the entire sesshin or ango if at all possible.
Please arrive by 5:00 PM Friday. This will give you time to get settled in your room and familiar with the monastery. We will have an informal meal at 5:30 PM. Upon your arrival, please read the schedule and assignment sheets in the kuin dining room. Sesshin begins Friday evening at 7:30 PM with an orientation.
If you are not familiar with Ryumonji, it is recommended that you plan to arrive during daylight hours. Because of its remote location, Ryumonji may be difficult to find after dark.
Monks/Priests: Full robes for zazen, service, and oryoki meals.
Lay Ordained: Lay sitting robe or clean, modest street clothing and rakusu.
Other Lay Persons: Clean, modest street clothing. (Shorts, halter tops, sleeveless or see-through tops are not appropriate for sesshin.)
Please bring outer and indoor footwear (slippers are worn inside). Please wear indoor footwear in kuin, including kitchen. No footwear or socks are worn in the Buddha Hall.
Bedding and towels are provided in the Kuin building for sesshin participants. Housing is dormitory style. There are 16 guest beds; overflow participants can be housed on mats in the Buddha Hall.
Please notify the Tenzo (head of kitchen) if you have food allergies or medical/dietary needs (such as diabetes) that require special diet. Meals are taken with the community and we eat what is offered at assigned meal times and tea. Nothing is made available after the evening meal. No food or beverages in the Buddha Hall.
There is refrigeration space available if you have special dietary or medication items that require refrigeration. Please let Ryumonji know when you register if you have food allergies or medical conditions that require special dietary considerations.
Silence should be held throughout sesshin as much as possible. During work periods and kitchen duty please speak quietly. This silence also includes opening/closing doors, handling utensils, etc. The Great Silence begins after evening zazen until morning service. Please observe this silence for the benefit of the entire community.
You will hear 3 hits on the Han five minutes before start of zazen. Please be on time. You should be settled in your seat when the Doshi enters. If you need to exempt yourself from part of the schedule or leave sesshin early, please let the Ino know. A bench or chair may be used during zazen.
The community gets up at the same time when the wake up bell is rung. No need to set your alarm clock. Please stay in bed until you hear the bell so as not to disturb others who are sleeping.
Please leave computers and cell phones turned off during sesshin. The office director (kanin) will let anyone know of emergency calls.
Our goal is to minimize the risk of contracting illnesses by Sesshin and Ango participants while at the monastery. With that in mind, we have put together safety practices and suggestions for the peace of mind of all participants. Do not hesitate to reach out if you would like clarification on anything outlined below, or have a question or concern not addressed here.
Please note that safety measures are subject to change in accordance with latest National and State guidelines. Be aware that the nearest medical facility is at least 30 minutes away and that medical emergencies are handled by calling 911. Those attending events at Ryumonji are responsible for taking care of their own health. If you have health concerns please review the schedule carefully and consult with your health care provider before attending.
There are no fees for sesshin or ango participation. Free-will dana offerings are customarily offered.
If you have questions please contact the Ryumonji office:
📞 (563) 546-1309
✉️ office@ryumonji.org
Click below for more information:
"To avoid all harm, to cultivate good, and to purify the mind. This is the teaching of the Buddhas."— The Dhammapada
.png)
