Jizo-an Zen Community
Meditation - Mindfulness - Benevolent Service - Community

Rohatsu Sesshin is an annual event traditionally held in Zen Monasteries and Practice Centers throughout the world around the 8th of December to mark the enlightenment of the historical Buddha. It is a powerful event, a gathering of Monks, Teachers, Students, Community and Dharma Friends who are dedicated to awakening and realizing The Way of Loving-Kindness, Compassion and Wisdom. This Sesshin (retreat) is in silence with periods of sitting and walking meditation, chanting, teachings, and free time for reflection.  Sesshin provides a powerful, peaceful, and inspirational environment supporting the unification of body and mind, and community.

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Rohatsu Sesshin begins Thursday evening December 4th and continues through early Sunday afternoon, December 7th. .In order to experience the magic of this sesshin, the monks strongly encourage participation in the full sesshin.  However, if this is not possible, we recommend participation to the maximum extent practical.​

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Location

This year’s Rohatsu Sesshin will be held at Murray Grove Retreat Center, Lanoka Harbor, Lacey Township, NJ. The retreat center is conveniently accessed via the Garden State Parkway or Route 9 and is located on 20 acres nestled in the Pine Barrens adjacent to the 200-acre Edwin B. Forsythe Wildlife Refuge.  

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Lodging

The Murray Grove Retreat Center has two guest houses that can accommodate up to 40 people in European hostel-style rooms with mostly twin beds.  A limited number of rooms have bunk beds accommodating three people.  The Weakley House has eleven bedrooms for two (22 comfortable twin beds), and large shared bathrooms.  The Friedrich House has ten rooms: 6 with two twin beds each, 2 rooms that sleep up to three (1 twin bed and Murphy-style bunk beds that fold down to accommodate 2), and another room with a full-size bed, and shared bathrooms.  For more information regarding the Murray Grove Retreat Center visit murraygrove.org. 

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Meals

Meals during Sesshin are always simple and nutritious… food for the soul and to strengthen one’s practice. All meals will be vegetarian/vegan and prepared on site by the Tenzo (cook). If you have any food allergies, please let us know. Please note that there will be no meal served on Thursday evening so please eat before arriving at the Murray Grove Retreat Center.

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Costs

The cost for this sesshin consists of a $70 per day program fee which includes all meals and $100 per night for lodging. For example, if you were to attend the entire sesshin with two nights lodging the cost would be $410. Two-day participation with no lodging would cost $140. There is no program fee for Thursday evening. If you participate via Zoom only, the cost is $30 per day. Since the rooms have two beds or more, the lodging cost can be reduced by sharing. Thursday evening stayover option at Murray Grove is available.  Please let us know when registering if you are interested in Thursday night lodging.

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The monks understand that sesshin fees can be prohibitive for some people. If finances are a hardship, please contact sensei Emyo at emyo@thezensociety.org to discuss payment options. If you opt instead for online access, the program fee will be $30 per day: the Zoom code will be provided upon registration. 

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Registration Procedure

To register for the sesshin contact Betsy Gessho Nieves at gessho@thezensociety.org and let her know when you will be attending, including lodging details. Gessho will then get back to you with the cost. At that point payment can easily be made via Zeffy on our website or by check. The Deadline to register is December 3rd. 

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Rohatsu Sesshin Schedule*

Thursday

6:00 pm – 7:15 pm Check-in for lodging

7:30 pm – 8:00 Sesshin Orientation (Emyo)

8:00 pm – 9:00 pm Sutras & Zazen

9:00 pm Closing Vows

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Friday

6:00 am – 7:00 am Zazen & Morning Sutras

7:00-8:00 - Breakfast

8:00 am -12:00 Zazen

12:00 pm – 1:00 Lunch

1:00 – 1:30 Samu (work practice)

1:30 – 3:00 Zazen

3:00 – 3:30 Teaching (????)

3:30 – 4:30 Zazen

4:30 – 5:00 Free time for reflection

5:00 – 6:00 Dinner

6:30 – 8:30 Zazen

8:30 pm Closing Vows

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 Saturday

6:00 am – 7:00 am Zazen & Morning Sutras 

7:00-8:00 - Breakfast

8:00 am – 12:00 Zazen 

12:00 pm – 1:00 Lunch

1:00 – 1:30 Samu (work practice)

1:30 – 3:00 Zazen

3:00 – 3:30 Teaching  

3:30 – 4:30 Zazen

4:30 – 5:00 Free time for reflection

5:00 – 6:00 Dinner

6:30 – 8:30 Zazen 

8:30 pm Closing Vows 

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Sunday

6:00 am – 7:00am Zazen & Morning Sutras

7:00-8:00 – Breakfast

8:00 – 8:30 Cleaning rooms for departure

8:30 – 10:00 Zazen & Closing Vows

10:00 – 10:15 Stretch break

10:15 – 11:15 Sharing & Closing Comments (Emyo)

11:15 – 12:00 pm Free Time

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 Cleanup & Packing for departure

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Notes:

*Times are approximate.

Zazen and chanting of meal sutras will be available on-line.

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