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Autumn Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat

Location icon
6401 NE 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97211, USA
Users icon
Up to 22 in group
Date
November 22, 2025

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

Zazen is going right into the Ocean of Awareness, manifesting the body of all Buddhas. The natural luminosity of mind suddenly reveals itself and the original light is everywhere. -Keizan Zenji

A Zazenkai is a day of Zen practice in the city. Join us for a silent day of meditation (seated and walking), chanting, mindful eating, temple care-taking, and a dharma talk. We close the day with a ceremony to renewing our intention to live an ethical life.

Prerequisite: If you do not have previous retreat experience, please attend an Investigating Zen practice workshop or one of our regular sitting programs to receive face-to-face Zen meditation instruction before signing up for this retreat. Reach out to how@zendust.org if you have any questions.

Suggested donation includes a vegetarian/vegan lunch. No one turned away for lack of funds. Also, these retreats fill with waitlists. if you cancel your registration, please let us know ASAP so we can give your spot to someone else.

This retreat is held in silence.

7:30 a.m. Zazen
9:00 a.m. Service
9:30 a.m. Break
10:00 a.m. Work Circle (work practice includes cleaning, cooking, or gardening.
11:00 a.m. Zazen
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Zazen
2:00 p.m. Dharma Talk / Interviews
3:00 p.m. Break
3:30 p.m. Zazen
5:00 p.m. Closing Circle and Temple Cleaning

Please note: This is an approximation; Zazenkai schedules may vary.

This event is in-person only. 

Schedule

This retreat is held in silence.

7:30 a.m. Zazen
9:00 a.m. Service
9:30 a.m. Break
10:00 a.m. Work Circle (work practice includes cleaning, cooking, or gardening.
11:00 a.m. Zazen
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Zazen
2:00 p.m. Dharma Talk / Interviews
3:00 p.m. Break
3:30 p.m. Zazen
5:00 p.m. Closing Circle
5:30 p.m. Temple Cleaning

Please note: This is an approximation; Zazenkai schedules may vary.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Location icon Zen Community of Oregon, 6401 NE 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97211, USA

Accommodation

Meals

Menu Types

What's Included

  • Vegetarian/vegan meal and snacks provided. Please indicate food allergies upon registration.

Customer Reviews

4.93 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Engaging the world with mountain mind
I always appreciate Sesshin immensely for how it challenges my preferences and assumptions about myself - I always come away learning more about how to engage the world and deepen my practice.
The teachers and residents at Great Vow are next level in their compassion and dedication to helping others awaken, not one second went by that I didn’t feel completely safe and at ease and supported. And with the lovely spaces they’ve created and the stunning great earth and trees and grasses of the monastery, it is truly a wondrous vortex of the dharma in every way. Many bows in Gassho to Kisei, Bansho, Myoyu, Onshin, and all the monastics, permanent residents and summer residents who made it so special and alive.

5.0
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Grasses, Trees, and the Great Earth Sesshin
I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone at Great Vow and those who made the trek for this wonderful week together. The combination of practicing deep in the forest, watching the evening colors fade, or bonding with a snail crossing a pathway was moving. Being able to camp at this sesshin deepened my connection with the earth, and it was lovely to be lulled asleep to the sound of rain. I highly recommend Great Vow and this particular sesshin.

5.0
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Grasses and Trees
I recently attended the Grasses and Trees sesshin at Great Vow Zen Monastery. It is a six day event, intended to be done outside as much as possible. This was my first sesshin and it was challenging. Everyone at Great Vow was kind, compassionate, and helped me find ways to experience the sesshin that worked best for me. Everything was so well organized, even when it rained and we had to move some things inside. Kisei and Myoyu found ways to make sure we could still have meditation outdoors if we chose. The forest, meadow, and gardens are so beautiful. It was a calming, rejuvenating stay. You participate in chanting, meditation, work practice, and the most delicious vegetarian/vegan food, much of which is grown right at the monastery. If you are looking for a community to practice with and compassionate teachers to support you, I highly recommend Great Vow Zen Monastery in Clatskanie, OR.

5.0
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Vancouver WA Zen retreat 08-02-25
This half day retreat was led by Laura Jomon Martin. She is an excellent teacher, and the participants (including me) enjoyed the practice and discussion during the retreat. It was held in the city of Vancouver, WA, where we didn’t have opportunities to do a Zen retreat before this. There will be another one in November, as they hope to do these quarterly from now on.

5.0
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Jizo’s City Refuge
A well-organized and well-facilitated retreat. Food was yummy. The teachings were deep. I liked the schedule. Zendo felt stuffy first two days - AC a little cooler would have helped me a lot.. Thank you!

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