Sesshin Information
SUMMER DAI -SESSHIN: 
Daiyuzenji's Zen Retreat

August 2-7
at
Camp Dewan, Burlington, Wisconsin


What is Sesshin?

Sesshin is an intensive Zen retreat. Beginning very early each morning and lasting until late in the evening, the sesshin schedule includes meditation, work periods, chanting, calligraphy, and other activities. The intention of sesshin is to completely focus and unify mind and body; the schedule facilitates concentration, and forces participants to face themselves clearly without distortion or distraction. Sesshin is an opportunity to see yourself and your life more clearly...and to emerge with new insight and strength to change old patterns of thinking, doing and being.

Daiyuzenji conducts four sesshin a year, which vary in length and location.  This sesshin is our summer Dai-Sesshin, a longer retreat.


Am I Ready for Sesshin?

We welcome everyone with a desire to practice Zen. Roshi (Zen teachers) and senior students are available to assist you throughout sesshin and to answer questions.

Sesshin is a challenging training.  Please come with an open mind and resolved to give your best effort.  If you have not yet attended a sesshin with us, we request that you discuss your attendance with one of the Daiyuzenji Roshi before registering:  this will allow us to have a conversation with you to determine if sesshin is the best training option for you at this time.  Please email Daiyuzenji, or if you are a member please approach one of the Roshi in person at any time. 


Where is Sesshin?

Camp Dewan is in southern Wisconsin in the Lake Geneva area, about 90 miles from Chicago.  Map here.


What do I bring?

During sesshin, all meals (vegetarian) will be provided. Participants must sleep at the sesshin location. Please bring the following:

  • Training clothes for meditation and work (gi, hakama, samue). If you do not own these traditional clothes, just wear loose, comfortable clothing without bright colors or words. No shorts or immodest clothing, please. Remember to bring extra layers (long underwear, hat, etc.) depending on the season.
  • Sleeping bag
  • Toiletries, personal medications (if you take anything that might affect your clarity or level of drowsiness, please let us know).
  • Outdoor shoes and indoor sandals
  • Jihatsu (eating bowls) if owned (available to borrow or purchase)
  • Okyo book (for chanting) if owned (available to borrow or purchase)


What should I not bring?

Use of the following is not permitted at sesshin:

  • Personal computers, iPods, or other electronic or entertainment devices of any kind.  If you have a work or family situation where you must check in periodically, please let us know.
  • Phones:  if you need to give an emergency contact number to someone, we can provide this to you.  If you need to make an emergency call, our staff will have a phone you can use.
  • Books, other than standard texts used for training (e.g. koan materials)
  • Journals, diaries
  • Musical instruments
  • Personal food (if you have allergies or other unique food needs, please let us know beforehand and we'll acommodate you if possible). 
  • Intoxicants of any kind


What are the rules of Sesshin?

Sesshin is a silent retreat, and there is no "social" time; talking is only done when necessary to accomplish some task, or during permitted periods of lecture/discussion.  Persons unable to observe this rule may be asked to leave.  The specific rules governing life at Sesshin will be announced on the first evening, and help to create a harmonious atmosphere conducive to training.


Summer Sesshin Start and Finish

Tuesday 8/2
6:30 pm     Registration (you can arrive at Camp Dewan any time in the afternoon)
7:30 pm     Sesshin begins

Sunday 8/15
8:00 am     Sesshin ends; clean-up and departure


Transportation

There will be a carpool interest sheet on the front desk at Daiyuzenji; please add your name to this, and communicate with the others on the list to arrange rides.  Because we have limited staff available to set up for sesshin, we unfortunately cannot guarantee the availability of someone to give you a ride.  For this reason it is also recommended that attendees from out of town arrange their own transportation to and from the airport to the sesshin site. 


How To Register

The suggested donation for Sesshin is $350.00 which includes room and board. However, no one will be excluded for inability to donate.  If you like, we can also suggest an amount which will cover the minimum cost of your attendance; please contact us.

Partial attendance:  if you cannot attend the entire sesshin, it may be possible for you to attend a portion of it (depending on your proposed schedule and level of experience).  Please confirm this with us by emailing before your register.

Option 1: Register online using PayPal (please click the icon below):

You will be able to specify the amount of your donation (suggested:  $350.00).  In the "Instructions to the Seller" section please leave us a note telling us your full name, if this is your first sesshin with us, and if you have attended sesshin elsewhere.





Option 2. Mail in your registration:

Please mail your donation (check/money order payable to Daiyuzenji) to the address below. Please include a note with your full name and email address; let us know also if this is your first sesshin with us, or if you have attended sesshin elsewhere.

DAIYUZENJI
Attn:  Sesshin Registration
3717 N. Ravenswood #113
Chicago, IL 60613



ANY QUESTIONS? Please email us: info@daiyuzenji.org