Rohatsu sesshin - 7 Day Zen Meditation Retreat
Rohatsu sesshin - 7 Day Zen Meditation Retreat
2649 County Rd 5, Eitzen, MN 55931, USA
Up to 18 in group
November 30 - December 6, 2026
Retreat Highlights
- Retreat led by two established Zen teachers: Rev. Keidō Jeromy Thotland and Rev. Onryū “GD” Kennedy.
- Dharma talk given daily by one of the two teachers
- Daily zazen (seated meditation) and kinhin (walking meditation)
- Dokusan (private meetings with Zen teachers)
- Chanting and service
- Vegetarian meals, Orkyoki style
- Retreat is in silence except during work period
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Rev. Keidō Jeromy Thotland is an Associate Teacher and Board member of Hokyoji Zen Practice Community. He was ordained in 2019 and received Dharma transmission from Ted O’Toole in 2024.
His path has taken him through the US Navy, retail, labor union work, and research. Along with family and sangha life, these experiences continue to remind him of the many ways of being in the world. His practice centers on the intersection of the everydayness of life and the everydayness of Zen, and on the wonder that each moment holds.
Born and raised in Minneapolis, Keidō now lives in Caledonia with his spouse, Andrea.
Details of this retreat
Rohatsu is a 7-day silent Zen retreat that is traditionally held in the first week of December, commemorating the historical Buddha’s spiritual awakening under the Bodhi tree. The retreat will consist of seven 35-minute zazen periods per day, along with kinhin (walking meditation), service with chanting, oryoki-style meals in the meditation hall, and a short work period. This retreat is led by Rev. Onryū “GD” Kennedy & Rev. Keidō Jeromy Thotland, and opportunities will be available daily for private meetings with either of the two teachers..
This is an intensive retreat, so it is recommended that retreatants have experience with at least one-day meditation retreats. Exceptions are possible, but one should contact either of the two teachers ahead of time to discuss, for their approval.
Meals and lodging provided. Meditation mats and cushions, and Oryoki bowls are also provided, but feel free to bring your own, if you wish.
This is an intensive retreat, so it is recommended that retreatants have experience with at least one-day meditation retreats. Exceptions are possible, but one should contact either of the two teachers ahead of time to discuss, for their approval.
Meals and lodging provided. Meditation mats and cushions, and Oryoki bowls are also provided, but feel free to bring your own, if you wish.
Schedule
6am Wakeup
6:30 Zazen (seated meditation)
7:10 Kinhin (walking meditation)
7:20 Service (chanting and some bows)
7:45 Oryoki breakfast (meals served in the meditation hall)
Cleanup
Break
9:15 Zazen
9:45 Dharma talk by one of the Zen teachers
10:45 Break
11:15 Zazen
11:45 Service
12:05 Oryoki lunch
Clean up
Rest
2:00 Work practice
3:05 Tea
Break
4:45 Zazen/kinhin combined
5:45 Service
6:-05 Informal light dinner
7:30 Zazen
Private meetings with Zen teachers begin
8"05 Kinhin
8:15 Zazen
8:50 Gatha/Bows
9:00 Bedtime
6:30 Zazen (seated meditation)
7:10 Kinhin (walking meditation)
7:20 Service (chanting and some bows)
7:45 Oryoki breakfast (meals served in the meditation hall)
Cleanup
Break
9:15 Zazen
9:45 Dharma talk by one of the Zen teachers
10:45 Break
11:15 Zazen
11:45 Service
12:05 Oryoki lunch
Clean up
Rest
2:00 Work practice
3:05 Tea
Break
4:45 Zazen/kinhin combined
5:45 Service
6:-05 Informal light dinner
7:30 Zazen
Private meetings with Zen teachers begin
8"05 Kinhin
8:15 Zazen
8:50 Gatha/Bows
9:00 Bedtime
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Hokyoji Retreat Center, 2649 County Rd 5, Eitzen, MN 55931, USA
Directions
Don’t follow directions from Google to Eitzen.
You may use Google Maps or another mapping app to generate directions from your address to our mailbox, however you do not want to go to Eitzen, MN. This is where our post office is and it is 10 miles Northwest of Hokyoji. You want to go to New Albin, Iowa.
When entering New Albin from the North or South on highway 26, mid-town you will come across the New Albin Community Center with its animated electric sign. Turn at that intersection onto Ross Avenue, away from town, and head northwest past the cemetery on your right. The road will become gravel about half a mile outside of New Albin. After another mile and a half, past the 2nd red barn and across from some white buildings on the right, look on your left for the Hokyoji sign and a smaller sign that says 2649. Turn left onto our gravel road and follow it for a mile back into a clearing where the Hokyoji campus is located.
* Hokyoji is rural and you may not have a good cell signal. We suggest you look at the route ahead of time.
You may use Google Maps or another mapping app to generate directions from your address to our mailbox, however you do not want to go to Eitzen, MN. This is where our post office is and it is 10 miles Northwest of Hokyoji. You want to go to New Albin, Iowa.
When entering New Albin from the North or South on highway 26, mid-town you will come across the New Albin Community Center with its animated electric sign. Turn at that intersection onto Ross Avenue, away from town, and head northwest past the cemetery on your right. The road will become gravel about half a mile outside of New Albin. After another mile and a half, past the 2nd red barn and across from some white buildings on the right, look on your left for the Hokyoji sign and a smaller sign that says 2649. Turn left onto our gravel road and follow it for a mile back into a clearing where the Hokyoji campus is located.
* Hokyoji is rural and you may not have a good cell signal. We suggest you look at the route ahead of time.
Accommodation
Most rooms are singles. There are several rooms that are doubles. Tent camping is available, bring your own tent.
Program Price
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Our zendo is brand new, finished May of this year. Our dormitory and Mauss Hall are also new, finished 5 years ago.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Meals are vegetarian. The cooks make every effort to make special plates for dietary restrictions. Feel free to visit with us ahead of time to make sure we can accomodate you.
What's Included
- All meals included in cost of retreat. Meals are vegetarian.
- Most rooms are private, a few are doubles
- Meditation mats, cushions, and oryoki bowls provided, but you can bring your own if you wish.
- We can pick you up from the Lacrosse Airport if needed
What's Not Included
- Wifi is available with a password. If you prefer to be disconnected from your phone, we are very remote, just don't ask for the password. :)
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