Residential Retreat

Boundless Way Zen Temple's summer residency is structured as a three-week program allowing flexible entry and exit—you can commit to one week, two weeks, or the full month of July 24–August 14. This is a traditional sesshin-style retreat: days built around zazen (sitting meditation), kinhin (walking meditation), and dokusan (private meetings with a teacher). The curriculum centers on Dongshan Liangjie, the ninth-century Chinese Zen master whose teachings became foundational to the Soto tradition.

The daily schedule follows the shape of formal monastery practice. Expect early mornings, multiple sitting periods, formal oryoki (ritual meal practice), and samu (work practice integrated as meditation). Teisho (formal teaching talks) offer direct transmission of Dongshan's ideas. The combination of sitting, study, and structured daily life is meant to create conditions for practice to deepen naturally.

Because you can register for any combination of weeks, this retreat suits both people new to sesshin and those looking for extended practice. If you've never done a sesshin before, even one week offers a complete immersion in the schedule and rhythm. Returning practitioners often use the flexible structure to extend their commitment or repeat weeks.