Founding Sesshin

A founding sesshin is a retreat that marks or honors a center's establishment or lineage roots. At Fire Lotus Temple, this six-day sit follows a traditional schedule: you'll sit zazen (Zen meditation) in blocks of 25–40 minutes, walk between periods (kinhin), attend chanting services, eat formal oryoki meals in the zendo, and do work practice—cleaning, cooking, or maintaining the grounds. Each day typically begins before dawn and ends by 9 p.m.

Dokusan (private meetings with the teacher) are built into the schedule. This is where you bring questions, present a koan if you're working with one, or simply sit with the teacher's presence. In silent sesshin, dokusan is often your only structured interaction with another person.

Seven to ten hours of daily zazen is substantial but paced. Sitting periods are interspersed with movement, meals, and rest. The silence is complete—no talking except during teacher talks and brief instructions. The effect is cumulative: by day three or four, many people report the mind settling in ways that don't happen in daily life.

Residential means you sleep on-site, usually in a shared room or dormitory. Bring warm layers (Zen centers are often cool), slip-on shoes, and anything you need for basic hygiene. The center provides bedding and meals. No devices, reading material, or outside communication once the retreat begins.