Rohatsu Sesshin

Rohatsu sesshin is held each year at Zen temples and monasteries throughout the world to commemorate the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha, which occurred when he saw a star at dawn on the eighth day of his retreat. This intensive sesshin is an unsurpassable opportunity for deep practice and realization, inspired by the Buddha’s determination as he sat beneath the Bodhi tree, vowing not to rise until he achieved true awakening.

Our Rohatsu week begins at Dai Bosatsu Zendo the evening of November 30 and concludes on the morning of December 8 with Jodo-E (Buddha’s Enlightenment Ceremony). Shinge Roshi, Chigan Roshi and Hokuto Sensei will give teisho, Dharma talk, dokusan and Dharma interviews. The sesshin will include zazen, morning service and readings of the “Rohatsu Exhortations.”

As we begin cautiously opening to in-person attendance (following the full ZSS Covid Protocols), a limited number of participants can be accommodated in addition to DBZ residents. The fee is $450 for members and $500 for non-members.

Sign Up for ZCS In-Person Participation:

If you are local to Syracuse, you are invited to join in-person morning and evening sittings in the Carriage House Zendo (following the full ZCS Covid Protocols). If attending the evening sitting, you may leave at one of the kinhins rather than staying until close.

ZCS morning/evening sittings are: Evenings: Nov 30-Dec 7, 6:30pm to closing (6-8pm with unstructured all night sitting on Dec 7).  Mornings: Dec 1-7, 6-7:45am.  Dec 8, 5:40-7:45am, JoDoE is at DBZ, 5:40am.

Email info@hoenji.org to attend ZCS sittings.

Sign Up for DBZ In-Person Participation:

In-person participation at Dai Bosatsu Zendo is FULL at this time. You may still sign up for online participation, or if you would like to be added to the waiting list for in-person participation, you may email the DBZ office. Wait-listed participants will be contacted if anyone cancels.

Sign Up for Online Participation:

Online participants will be included in all eight days of Rohatsu with an abridged schedule that includes the opening evening, morning sitting, daily teishos, the full evening schedule in DBZ's zendo with Rohatsu Exhortations by Hakuin and the last late night sitting, as well as the day of enlightenment ceremonies on December 8th. Dharma Interview will also be made available. The suggested sliding scale contribution is from $50 to $200.

To sign-up and for more information, please click here.