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.
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.