Practice/Retreat Info

Weekly Practice Schedule

All practice sessions consist of sitting, walking and chanting Zen, and are free and open to all. Morning practice begins with 108 prostrations. Wednesdays include a Dharma talk and introduction to Zen meditation. Saturday mornings include private kong-an (koan) interviews.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
6:15 – 7:30am11:00 – 12:00pm 6:15 – 7:30am 6:15 – 7:30am 6:15 – 7:30am 6:15 – 7:30am 7 – 9am (Interviews w/ Zen Master Bon Seong) 7-8:10am (Join our live webcast)
7:00 – 8:10 pm 7:00 – 8:10 pm 7:00 – 9:00 pm (Beginner’s Night) 7:00 – 8:10 pm 7:00 – 8:10 pm 7:00 – 8:10 pm No Evening Practice

Retreats

Yong Maeng Jong Jin, which means to leap like a tiger while sitting, retreats are held at Empty Gate Zen Center, run from Friday morning 9:00 am until Sunday noon, and include meals and dormitory-style accommodations. The Friday and Saturday evenings finish at 9:30pm and Saturday and Sunday begin at 6:00am.

Most retreats are held in silence, with the exception of kidos or chanting retreats, and consist of bowing, sitting, walking, and chanting Zen, plus formal interviews with Zen Master Bon Soeng or a visiting Kwan Um teacher. Retreats are open to all, but please contact the Zen center beforehand if you are sitting for the first time.

To sign up for a retreat email our Head Dharma Teacher.

2012 Retreat Dates

Unless otherwise noted, retreats are led by Zen Master Bon Soeng.

January 20 – 22   Three day retreat (YMJJ)
February 24 – March 3   Eight day annual retreat (YMJJ)
April 21  One day retreat
May 18 – 20  Three day retreat (YMJJ) Led by Zen Master Soeng Hyang
June 16  One day retreat
July 13 – 15  Three day retreat (YMJJ)
August 18 – 19  Work retreat
September 21 – 23  Three day retreat (YMJJ)
October 20  One day retreat
November 16 – 18  Three day retreat (YMJJ)
December 15  One day retreat

Retreat Fees

Membership Level Per Day Per 1/2 Day (or less) 2-1/2 day Yong Maeng Jong Jin
(Friday-Sunday)
Non-member $50 $30 $130
Member $40 $25 $105
Dharma Teachers, DTIT, and Students with ID $30 $20 $80

Retreat Schedules

Friday
9:30 am 108 Bows
10:00 – 12:30 Sitting and Walking Meditation
12:40 Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 Break Period
2:00 – 4:30 Sitting and Walking Meditation
4:30 – 5:30 Break Period
5:30 Dinner
6:00 – 6:30 Short Break
6:30 – 7:30 Chanting
7:30 – 9:20 Sitting and Walking Meditation
9:20 – 9:30 Chanting
Saturday
5:45 am Wake-up Bell
6:00 108 Bows
6:30 – 6:50 Morning Bell Chant
6:50 – 8:00 Sitting and Walking Meditation
8:10 Breakfast
8:40 – 9:40 Work Period
9:40 – 10:00 Break Period
10:00 – 12:30 Sitting and Walking Meditation
12:40 Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 Break Period
2:00 – 4:30 Sitting and Walking Meditation
4:30 – 5:30 Break Period
5:30 Dinner
6:00 – 6:30 Short Break
6:30 – 7:30 Chanting
7:30 – 9:20 Sitting and Walking Meditation
9:20 – 9:30 Chanting
Sunday
5:45 am Wake-up Bell
6:00 108 Bows
6:30 – 6:50 Morning Bell Chant
6:50 – 8:00 Sitting and Walking Meditation
8:10 Breakfast
8:40 – 9:40 Work Period
9:40 – 10:00 Break Period
10:00 – 11:50 Sitting and Walking Meditation
12:00 – 12:30 Circle Talk
12:30 Lunch
Single Day Retreat
9:00 am 108 Bows
9:30 – 12:00 Sitting and Walking Meditation
12:00 Lunch
12:40 – 1:20 Work Period
1:30 – 4:00 Sitting and Walking Meditation
4:00 Circle talk

 

Consulting Interviews Online

In response to the Sangha world-wide, we are offering the possibility to have consulting interviews via email or Skype. Consulting Interviews are an opportunity to ask questions or talk about Zen practice with a senior Dharma teacher. Consulting interviews are a valuable source of support for people beginning practice as well for experienced practitioners.

The Empty Gate Zen Center has made connections to many people who are in locations where there is no Zen center or support for practice. This is an opportunity for anyone, in any location, who has questions about practice, Zen, life, any kind of problem, etc.

You can send questions by email at abbot@emptygatezen.com

You can also email to set up a time and date for Skype chat or video
For Skype, search for empty.gate.abbot or Empty Gate Abbot under “add contacts” in the Contacts section.