Weekly Practice Schedule

All practice sessions consist of sitting, walking and chanting meditation, 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.

Retreats

Yong Maeng Jong Jin ("to leap like a tiger while sitting") retreats are held onsite at Empty Gate Zen Center and typically run from Friday at 9:00 am until Sunday noon. Meals and dormitory-style accommodations are provided. 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.  
To learn more about our school's retreat styles, visit here.

2013 Retreat Dates

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

Jan 18-20  Three day retreat (YMJJ)
Feb 22 - Mar 2   Eight day annual retreat (YMJJ)
Apr 20  One day retreat
May 24-26  Three day retreat (YMJJ) led by Zen Master Soeng Hyang
June 22  One day retreat
July 19-21  Three day retreat (YMJJ)
Aug 17-18  Annual work retreat
Sept 20-22  Three day retreat (YMJJ)
Oct 19  One day retreat
Nov 8-10  Sangha weekend in Las Vegas
Dec 13-15  Three day retreat (YMJJ)

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  Closing Circle talk

Retreat Fees

Non-members: $50 (full day), $30 (half day), $130 (weekend YMJJ)
Members: $40 (full day), $25 (half day), $105 (weekend YMJJ)
Dharma Teachers / DT-in-training: $30 (full day), $20 (half day), $80 (weekend YMJJ)