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"Discover Zen" Week - 9 to 14 April
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Meditation, inner calm, Buddhist spirituality
Our modern lives lack calm and serenity. This "Discover Zen" week will give you a complete immersion in the daily life of a Zen monastery.
Step by step, day by day, you will be guided in the discovery of Zen meditation and meditation in action, at the heart of everyday life..
The formal teachings will be given by Master Olivier Reigen Wang-Genh, a practitioner of Buddhism for over 50 years. Discussions with participants are planned, and individual interviews are available on request.
The meditation sessions will be of a duration suitable for beginners.
Each day includes a body practice to prepare for zazen: stretching, fascia work, yoga asanas to help you get into the zazen posture...
What for?
Discover the practice and teachings of a two-thousand-year-old spirituality that is particularly relevant today.
To rediscover inner peace and stability.
To get to know yourself better and anchor yourself in your body and the present moment.
Who is it for?
This programme is particularly suitable for beginners, those interested in discovering Zen meditation and the practice of Zen in everyday life.
For people wishing to experience a community life imbued with values such as benevolence, generosity and respect for life.
Classes are bilingual, French and German.
A word of warning
Following the rhythm and timetable of the days is a prerequisite for taking part in this week; please check before registering whether this is suitable for you.
Videos are available on our Youtube channel to give you an idea of our daily life.
PROGRAMME :
The retreat will take place from Tuesday 9 to Sunday 14 April. Arrival on Monday 8 April at 5pm. Departure on Sunday 14 April after lunch and tidying up (3 p.m.).
The week is divided into two parts (see detailed programmes below)
- from Monday to Thursday, you share the daily life of the Zen temple residents. Specific teaching is provided to facilitate your retreat and help you integrate smoothly.
- Thursday evening to Sunday lunchtime: sesshin. This is a more intensive period where the emphasis is on practising Zen meditation and silence. There are 4 meditation sessions a day (sitting and walking meditation), of shorter duration than during an ordinary sesshin. Zazen is usually guided.
Monday to Thursday: Gyoji programme, daily life
Standard one-day programme (indicative, subject to change)
| 6:30 | Shinrei - Wake-up bell |
|---|---|
| 7:00 - 8:30 | Zazen - sitting meditation in two 25-minute periods / 10-minute kinhin + ceremony |
| 8:45 | Genmai - traditional breakfast in silence |
| 9:15 | Tea, coffee, breaks |
| 10:00 - 11:00 | Samou - community activity |
| 11:15 - 12:15 | Teachings |
| 12:30 - 13:00 | Meal in silence |
| 13:00 - 14:45 | Tea, coffee, breaks |
| 14:45 - 16:00 | Samou - community activity |
| 16:15 - 17:00 | Workshop |
| 17:00 - 18:00 | Body practice |
| 18:45 - 19:45 | Zazen - sitting meditation in two 25-minute periods |
| 20:00 | Evening meal |
Programme for the week
(indicative, subject to change)
Monday, evening of arrival
7pm welcome talk and workshop to discover zazen, Zen meditation
Tuesday, 1st day
Conference "Daily life in a Zen temple" 11am-12pm
How to find a good meditation posture" workshop
Mondo: questions and answers with the master
Wednesday, Day 2
Lecture "Meals and food in Zen Buddhism" 11am-12pm
Workshop "Concentration, breathing and returning to the body: how to breathe better, during zazen and in everyday life".
Thursday, 3rd day
Lecture "The great principles of Zen" 11am-12pm
Afternoon: free time
Evening 7pm: What is a sesshin? Guided meditation workshop (reminder of the points covered on Monday evening)
Friday, Saturday, Sunday = sesshin programme, Zen meditation retreat
| 6:30 | Shinrei - Wake up |
|---|---|
| 7:00 - 8:30 | Zazen in two 25-minute periods / 10-minute kinhin + ceremony |
| 8:45 | Genmai - traditional breakfast in silence |
| 9:15 | Tea, coffee, breaks |
| 11:00 - 12:30 | 25-minute Zazen followed by a teaching |
| 12:30 | Meal in silence |
| 13:00 | Coffee - Break |
| 14:45 - 17:00 | Samou - service to the community |
| 17:30 - 18:45 | Two 25-minute zazen sessions + opportunities for one-to-one discussions ( dokusan ) or question-and-answer sessions with participants ( mondo ) |
| 18:45 | Meal in silence |
| 20:30 | Zazen and evening ceremony |
| 22:15 | Bedtime |
Themes of the teachings during sesshin :
- Unity of body and mind; zazen: awakening the mind and daily actions
- How to continue practising after a Zen retreat
RATES
(Teaching, accommodation and meals included)
- Full week: 449 € / reduced price, job seeker: 299 € / under-25s rate: 189 €
- The sesshin alone: 311 € / 235 € / 150 €
- Bed Sheet rental : 6 €
- To participate in the activities of the monastery, you must be a member of the Weiterswiller Zen Temple Association. Annual membership fee: 15 €.
Or, please send an email to: info@meditation-zen.org
INFORMATION : The Community of Communes of Hanau La Petite Pierre has introduced a tourist tax on the territory to contribute to the development of tourism activities. This tourist tax is applicable from May 1st 2022 at a rate of 80 cents per person per night (to pay in addition to the sesshin).
SHALL WE TRAVEL TOGETHER?
As a participant, we offer you the opportunity to organise car pooling so that you can share the cost while reducing your carbon footprint. And all this while sharing a moment of conviviality with other retreatants :)
Click on the link below to go straight to the event created especially for you. All you need to do is
- offer one or more places in your vehicle. For the sake of organisation, we ask you to enter your full name and to specify the main stages of your journey for better readability for potential passengers. You can also specify the cost of each passenger (services such as ViaMicheln or Mappy will enable you to calculate the overall cost of your journey)
- ask for a carpooling solution if you do not have a car. By specifying your place of departure, or the place where you could find a car owner, drivers will know if they can meet your request or not.
Whether you are a driver or a passenger, the platform allows you to exchange messages with each other at any time to request information or simply agree on the details of your trip together.
Shall we travel together ?
Have a nice trip !
To register, please click on the button below:
CARPOOLING RYUMONJI - Full Week
CARPOOLING RYUMONJI - Sesshin alone
TO BRING
- For meditation (zazen): kimono OR comfortable dark clothes for the practice. If you have a zafu (black or brown meditation cushion), you can bring it.
- For meals: bowl + spoon + fork + a large dark napkin to wrap the bowl + a small white handkerchief-type napkin.
- For the beds: single duvet cover + single fitted sheet + pillowcase - sleeping bags are not allowed.
- For everyday use: shoes and work clothes, sandals or flip-flops (easy to remove), slippers for indoors.
- Please bring biodegradable hygiene products.
- It is possible to borrow certain items on site.
- Some items are for sale in the temple shop.
Please note: mobile phones must be completely switched off in the monastery. It is possible to make phone calls in the car parks.
ACCESS
By train
If you'll arrive at Ingwiller station, please coordinate your arrival with the office.
03 88 89 26 02 (Tuesday to Sunday, 9.30am-12pm).
