SALT SPRING ZEN CIRCLE – ONLINE SPRING RETREAT
ⒸImage Koya Clare Mathias
Start: Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 6:45 PM
End: Sunday, April 24, 2022 at 3:30 PM
Location: Online via Zoom (link to be sent with registration)
Engraving Trust in Mind: The Practice-Study Sesshin of the Hsin Hsin Ming
Appearing as early as the 6th century, the Hsin Hsin Ming is an extended verse attributed to the Third Chinese Chan (Zen) Ancestor, Sengcan, (pronounced Seng-tsan), who directly follows Bodhidharma and his heir, Huike in the traditional Zen lineage. Its beautiful, clearly articulated text is often considered the first lucid and comprehensive statement of Zen, with a special focus on dualistic attachments and the fundamental nondual reality of what human beings and all things are. This elegant blend of Daoist and Buddhist understanding will be the foundation of our April 2022 Sesshin. Versions of the Hsin HsinMing will be provided to all participants.
Thinking you hold the root,
you hold only a branch,
a stem – why not let
your hand become a hand again,
empty as the root you seek?
—Peter Levitt
One Hundred Butterflies
You are warmly invited to join the Salt Spring Zen Circle in this 3-day online Zen retreat. Our time together will be led by sangha members and Eihei Peter Levitt; poet, translator, and founding teacher. Our retreat days have been designed to allow not only a substantial immersion in formal practice just like at an in-person sesshin, but also to leave room and flexibility for your home life.
Retreat details are below. Please read all the way through for important information regarding retreat format and find the registration link at the bottom.
SCHEDULE SUMMARY:
| Thursday April 21, 2022 | |
| 6:45pm | Check in and orientation |
| 7:15 – 8:25pm | Periods of zazen and kinhin |
| 8:25pm | Chants and refuges |
| Friday April 22 | |
| 7:00 – 8:30am | Zazen, kinhin, zazen, service, and meal chant |
| 8:30 – 10:00am | Breakfast on your own |
| 10:00am – 12:10pm | Zazen, kinhin, zazen, Dharma talk, zazen, service, and meal chant |
| 12:20 – 4:00pm | Afternoon open for lunch, personal practice, exercise, work period, or study |
| 4:00 – 4:30pm | Teacher’s Tea |
| 4:30 – 5:40pm | Zazen, kinhin, zazen, and service |
| 5:40 – 7:15pm | Dinner on your own |
| 7:15 – 8:25pm | Zazen, kinhin, zazen, and refuges |
| Saturday April 23 | |
| 7:00 – 8:30am | Zazen, kinhin, zazen, service, and meal chant |
| 8:30 – 10:00am | Breakfast on your own |
| 10:00am – 12:10pm | Zazen, kinhin, zazen, Dharma talk, zazen, service, and meal chant |
| 12:20 – 4:00pm | Afternoon open for lunch, personal practice, exercise, work period, and study |
| 4:00 – 4:30pm | Teacher’s Tea |
| 4:30 – 5:40pm | Zazen, kinhin, zazen, and service |
| 5:40 – 7:15pm | Dinner on your own |
| 7:15 – 8:25pm | Zazen, kinhin, zazen, and refuges |
| Sunday April 24 | |
| 7:00 – 8:30am | Zazen, kinhin, zazen, service, and meal chant |
| 8:30 – 10:00am | Breakfast on your own |
| 10:00am – 12:10pm | Zazen, kinhin, zazen, Dharma talk, zazen, service, and meal chant |
| 12:10 – 1:30pm | Lunch on your own |
| 1:30 – 2:40pm | Zazen, kinhin, and zazen |
| 2:40 – 3:30pm | Final circle and closing |
A more specific, precise schedule will be provided with registration.
DOKUSAN (Private Interviews)
Our teacher, Peter Levitt will be offering private interviews (dokusan) to attendees during sesshin. A link will be provided in the registration confirmation email to allow you to request dokusan with Peter.
VIRTUAL ZENDO AND DOKUSAN
The zendo and dokusan (private interviews with Peter) will be accessed via Zoom. The link to the virtual zendo and dokusan room will be included in the confirmation letter you will receive shortly after successful registration.
DANA AND FEES
Donations (dana) for Peter’s teachings are not included in the registration fee. They may be made directly via PayPal in a link provided with registration, where they will be gratefully received by our teacher.
REGISTRATION SLIDING SCALE FEES
Registration fees for the sesshin are on a sliding scale from $75-$200.
No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. If you need to make alternative fee arrangements, please contact registrar Julie Higginson at:
sszc.registrar@gmail.com
All fee payments are appreciated and support the ongoing function of our sangha. Payment of full fee amounts help defray sangha expenses and contribute to scholarship funding for participants who may require financial support to attend.