Open Gate Zen Collective

Practice Period 2024

June 21st - July 28th   

36 Day Practice Period. 

The 36 day Practice Period is a beautiful reminder of our everyday life practice, showing how ordinary life can embody the way of a Buddha. This period marks our annual intensive practice session, during which we will delve into the teachings of Bodhidharma, our first Zen Ancestor who brought Buddhism to China in the 4th Century.

During this Practice Period, we intensify our daily practice by sitting zazen more frequently, attending classes, having private interviews with Sensei Shinzan, engaging in council practice, participating in a weekend retreat and precept ceremony, and culminating in a Zen Retreat Sesshin. Additionally, we will host seminars throughout the year 2024-2025 to continue exploring and studying Bodhidharma's teachings.

Participants will determine the level of their commitment and create their realistic schedules. We will support each other through a buddy system.

During a Practice Period, we intensify our daily practice by sitting zazen more frequently, studying in classes, having private interviews with Sensei Shinzan, engaging in council practice, a weekend retreat, precepts-ceremony and having a Zen Retreat Sesshin, also we will have seminars for the year 2024-2025 continuing exploring and study the Bodhidharma Teachings. 

All participants will choose the level of their commitment. They are create their schedule, realistically. We will support each other through a buddy system.

Theme: The Teachings of Bodhidharma

Description:

Reading: The Teachings of Bodhidharma by Red Pine

Seminars on Tuesdays at 7 pm (In person & online)

Dates: 

Personal Commitment:

Our personal commitment will determine the fruitfulness of this practice period for each of us. Consider how you can deepen your practice. What will benefit you, your family, your sangha, and all beings? Challenge yourself to fully engage. Would you benefit from spending more time at OG Zendo, increasing your meditation sessions at home, delving deeper into dharma study, or making a more profound commitment to community service?

Please plan to join us for the Practice Period orientation on Friday, June 21st at 7 pm. During this session, we will explore together the components of a traditional practice period and discuss how to integrate them into our daily lives in the world.

Daily Schedule (Full View)

Schedule: 

OG Regular Schedule (Intro, Meditación en Español, 12 steps, ETC.) 

Monday Through Friday, 6 am - 8 am 

Tuesdays 7 pm Seminar/Class

Wednesday 7 pm - 9 pm (3 Sits)

Saturday 6 am - 8 am (3 Sits) or Retreat Schedule

Sunday OFF

Donation: 

$72- $180 (Sliding Scale) 

*Do Not includes Retreats.

Commitments:

• Attend the Opening of the Practice Period on June 21st at 7pm

• Commit to a daily sitting practice: sit twice a week or more

• Come to the Dharma talks or listen to the podcast

• Attend seminars on Tuesdays

• Make at least 2 practice interviews with Sensei Shinzan

• Talk and/or meet with your sangha partner at least three times

• Register for Zen Weekend Retreat

• Zen Retreat Sesshin

• Attend Jukai Ceremony

• Attend Council Saturday. 

Levels of Commitment

August 27th

September 24th

October 29th

November 19th

Level 1 (Online Practice)

• Only Saturdays

• Attending seminars

• Sitting at home at least twice a week

• Council Practice

• Jukai Ceremony 

• Zen Weekend Retreat (Full/ Partial)

• Zen Retreat Sesshin (Full/ Partial)

Level 2 (Hybrid)

• Saturdays & Wednesdays Sits 

• Attending seminars

• Sitting at home at least 4 times a week

• Council Practice 

• Jukai Ceremony

• Zen Weekend Retreat (full)

• Zen Retreat Sesshin (Partial)

Level 3 (In Person)

• Saturday & Wednesday Sits

• Attending seminars

• Sitting at home at least 5 times a week 

• Morning Sits with OG Zendo Zoom

• Council Practice

• Jukai Ceremony

• Zazen at the Park

• Zen Weekend Retreat (Full)

• Zen Retreat Sesshin (Full)