Sesshin & Retreats
Sesshin refers to an intensive meditation retreat that is among the most important of Zen practices.
Sesshin refers to an intensive meditation retreat that is among the most important of Zen practices.
During sesshin many hours of meditation - and frequent meetings with the Zen master - provide an unmatched opportunity to profoundly deepen your spiritual practice, and to emerge with a transformed understanding of your life.
Korinji offers eight one week-long sesshin (called Dai-Sesshin, "great sesshin") a year at the monastery, and several other sesshin in Europe. Partial attendance is permitted for beginners or those who cannot commit to the full week.
If you are new to Zen practice, we recommend that you first receive basic instruction at one of our groups, or during an Intro to Zen day at the monastery, before applying to attend sesshin. We also offer shorter Zen Life weekend retreats that are ideal for beginners, and will give you a taste of sesshin.
Persons wishing to join us at Korinji during all or part of a sesshin or other retreat are asked to do the following:
Several times a year Korinji monastery, our headquarters temple in Wisconsin (about 50 miles from Madison), hosts an open house: our Intro to Zen Days.
Participants receive a tour of the monastery and meet the residents. Meido Roshi gives beginning meditation instruction and a short talk. Afterward, we enjoy tea and coffee together.
After you've received basic meditation instruction, joined our community, and started to practice, consider joining us at Korinji for a Zen Life Retreat.
These are immersive events during which you will get a taste of Zen monastery life, deepen your meditation, and receive direct guidance from our teacher. Through this experience, you will start to see how Zen practice can transform your own life into a path of wisdom and compassion.
The Zen Life Retreats are appropriate for teens and adults, of all ages and conditions. They are also a good way to prepare for sesshin, the intensive weekend or week-long retreat offered throughout the year at Korinji and elsewhere (including Europe).