Sesshin is a period of time, usually ranging from 2 - 7 days, in which silence is maintained and the focus is on zazen. Sesshin is a cornerstone of Zen practice for which there is no substitute—it is essential for any practitioner who hopes to gain insight into their true nature.
We are an international community with close to 100 locations world-wide. Please see the map below to find your closest Zen center, or visit our Regions page to find regional contact info. If you can't find a location near you, you may be able to join our Online Sangha. Sangha Jewel Zen Center is a group of Zen Buddhist practitioners based in Oregon, USA. Join us and learn about this ancient wisdom. We offer an enduring sanctuary for cultivating a clear, quiet mind and a grounded, open-hearted way of life.
Sesshin, while commonly understood as a Zen retreat, literally means to unite the mind. It is an opportunity to gather together one's energy and concentrate it in order to clarify the great matter that is our life. We do sesshin as a group as the support that each person gives to the others is vital for a strong sesshin.
At Yokoji we hold around 10 sesshin per year. There are three 7-day sesshin during each training period, both spring and fall, and then two or three weekend sesshin during the summer and winter. Sesshin is affordable (see pricing structure), but for those who would like to contribute time rather than money, check out our Volunteer program. Sesshin is pivotal for serious practitioners. It compliments a daily sitting practice and allows a period of time when each person can sink in to the silence and take the rare opportunity to look closely at their life. The shorter sesshins are ideal for beginners, and every year we hold a Beginner's Mind Sesshin, aimed specifically at new practitioners. It is best to take part in at least one of the shorter sesshin before signing up for a longer one, if possible. The schedule is full and the days are long, so it works best to experience a weekend-long sesshin first. We also encourage newcomers to attend a Day of Zen Practice first, which we hold every two months. Please check the events page to see when the next one is.
You can come for just part of the time for a sesshin if you can't make the whole thing. We ask people who don't have much experience with zen or sesshin to make sure they are there for the first night of training, however.
Regular Weekly Meetings
All meetings are currently online ~ Times are listed in Pacific time
Tuesdays 7-9pm
Zazen & Class
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Wednesdays-Fridays 7:30-8:30am
Morning Meditation Online
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Saturdays
8:30-9:30am
Just Sitting
9:30-10:30am
Sangha Checkin & Discussion
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Sundays
9:30am-12:15pm
Chanting, Zazen & Dharma Talk
No message posted on a website heals the suffering being caused in our country by systemic racism, particularly the anguish and conflict caused by the inexcusable, repeated murders of unarmed black people, often by those sworn to protect us.
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For what it is worth, Bright Way Zen bears witness to the injustice, empathizes with those suffering persecution and loss, acknowledges the culpability of white people in perpetuation of a racist system, and promises to do what we can to bring about a more just world for all.
A Note about Allergies:
When meeting at our Zendo, we minimize the use of incense (we light a stick momentarily at the beginning of a meditation period, offer it at the altar, and then immediately put it out).
Bright Way Zen’s Mission
Our mission is to help people find spiritual peace, deepen their wisdom, and manifest compassion. We do this by providing access to the teachings and practices of Soto Zen Buddhism, maintaining a harmonious and welcoming spiritual community, and supporting a vital and sustainable Zen center that will be here for future generations.
Click here to read our Vision.
COVID-19 Measures
Because of COVID-19, all of our meetings are online until further notice. Our calendar reflects the assumption we’ll be online-only through 2021, but if we’re able to meet in person sooner than that (fingers crossed!), our calendar will be updated.
Please note that we’re gained many valuable Sangha members from all over the country and the world since we’ve been online, so even when we start meeting again in person at our Zendo, we’ll continue to offer online participation in all of our regularly scheduled practice.
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Connect to Our Sangha Using Zoom
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Zoom video is a free program that lets you connect to a videoconference meeting.
Statement of Inclusivity
This Sangha acknowledges that suffering is a human condition which can be made worse because of biases or prejudices for or against any race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, sexual identity, political party, or other belief or position. This Sangha welcomes and affirms all who come here to seek the Way, and who will work toward respectful acceptance of others across our many differences, harmonizing the one and the many.
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We also acknowledge that bias, prejudice, and privilege can be blinding. If you experience anything at Bright Way that isn’t consistent with the aspiration in our Statement of Inclusivity, please let us know. You can contact our teacher, Domyo, confidentially via email (info[at]brightwayzen.org).