Yokoji-Zen Mountain Center

Upcoming Events

  • Sunday Schedule

    Every Sunday (please call to check during holidays and bad weather)

    Come and join us for our regular Sunday schedule. Coffee and tea are available from 8:30am onwards, and we start at 9:30am with a service, followed by zazen until 11:00am. A short break is followed by a dharma talk by Tenshin Roshi or one of his senior students, and then we share a delicious vegetarian lunch.

    For first-timers, we run a Zen Meditation Instruction class which also starts at 9:30am. This is a great time to come along for your first time and learn the basics of zen practice and how you can do it. The class joins the regular schedule at 11:20am for the dharma talk and then lunch. There is a recommended donation of $15.00 for those who wish to take the class.

    We have a number of instructional videos that you may find helpful either before or after visiting Yokoji for the first time. If you would like to know more about how we do things here, please refer to our videos on meditation, or zazen, and the basic forms we use.

  • May

    Day of Reflection

    Saturday May 25th, 5:30am - 8:20pm

    Take this opportunity to examine your life through the lens of the precepts. During dawn zazen, the precepts are recited in a short service and each of us chooses a precept to work with during the day. The day then follows the regular schedule, of either interim or training period, depending on the time of year. Work, meals, zazen and other activities provide the ground on which to experiment with, and reflect upon, the chosen precept. We finish the day with Fusatsu, or renewal of vows, an ancient ceremony of atonement and renewal followed by a council where each participant has the chance to share their experience.

    If you can’t make it for dawn zazen, you can come for work practice at 9am in the office and join the day then. The 10 grave precepts are listed as part of the 16 Bodhisattva precepts, which you will need to look at if you are not present for dawn zazen.

    There is no cost for the Day of Reflection, but if you would like to join us for any meals, we ask for a donation of approximately $10.00 per meal. Registration is not required if you do not plan on staying overnight, but please inform the office if you plan on attending.

  • June

    Yoga at Yokoji

    Sunday June 2nd, 2:00pm - 3:15pm

    Led by Heather Kōren Graff

    On the first Sunday of every month, following our regular Sunday meditation program, Heather Kōren Graff will lead a public donation-based yoga asana class. Whether you’re brand new to yoga or a seasoned yogi, this class is open to everyone and is a wonderful compliment to our seated meditation practice. Yoga mats are provided.

    Feel free to come early and join us for our Sunday morning meditation program starting at 9:30am. If you’re brand new to Zen, we’ll offer a Zen meditation instruction class, which will be followed by a dharma talk, then a wholesome vegetarian lunch. You’ll have an hour break to enjoy the mountain setting before the start of the yoga class.

  • Day of Reflection

    Saturday June 15th, 5:30am - 8:20pm

    Take this opportunity to examine your life through the lens of the precepts. During dawn zazen, the precepts are recited in a short service and each of us chooses a precept to work with during the day. The day then follows the regular schedule, of either interim or training period, depending on the time of year. Work, meals, zazen and other activities provide the ground on which to experiment with, and reflect upon, the chosen precept. We finish the day with Fusatsu, or renewal of vows, an ancient ceremony of atonement and renewal followed by a council where each participant has the chance to share their experience.

    If you can’t make it for dawn zazen, you can come for work practice at 9am in the office and join the day then. The 10 grave precepts are listed as part of the 16 Bodhisattva precepts, which you will need to look at if you are not present for dawn zazen.

    There is no cost for the Day of Reflection, but if you would like to join us for any meals, we ask for a donation of approximately $10.00 per meal. Registration is not required if you do not plan on staying overnight, but please inform the office if you plan on attending.

  • July

    Day of Reflection

    Saturday July 20th, 5:30am - 8:20pm

    Take this opportunity to examine your life through the lens of the precepts. During dawn zazen, the precepts are recited in a short service and each of us chooses a precept to work with during the day. The day then follows the regular schedule, of either interim or training period, depending on the time of year. Work, meals, zazen and other activities provide the ground on which to experiment with, and reflect upon, the chosen precept. We finish the day with Fusatsu, or renewal of vows, an ancient ceremony of atonement and renewal followed by a council where each participant has the chance to share their experience.

    If you can’t make it for dawn zazen, you can come for work practice at 9am in the office and join the day then. The 10 grave precepts are listed as part of the 16 Bodhisattva precepts, which you will need to look at if you are not present for dawn zazen.

    There is no cost for the Day of Reflection, but if you would like to join us for any meals, we ask for a donation of approximately $10.00 per meal. Registration is not required if you do not plan on staying overnight, but please inform the office if you plan on attending.

  • Beginner's Mind Sesshin

    Friday July 26th, 3:30pm  -  Sunday July 28th, 12:30pm

    Led by Jokai Blackwell, Sensei

    Sesshin can be translated as “to unify the mind.” Sesshin is at the heart of Zen Practice - a chance to give full attention to one’s life without distraction.

    This sesshin is designed for those who are new to Zen practice. There will be orientation given regarding the basic formal procedures that will be used over the weekend, so no prior experience is required. The schedule will be lighter than the regular sesshin that we run at Yokoji. We all have the ‘beginner’s mind’, that which sees the world afresh in each moment. Sesshin is the perfect vehicle to realize this. This sesshin is also open to experienced practitioners. Please look over the schedule for sesshin before signing up.

    Members: $150
    Non-members: $250

    Registration required. Part-time rates are listed on the sesshin page.

  • August

    Ino Workshop

    Saturday August 10th, 9:00am - 5:00pm

    Led by Rev. Arthur WaYu Kennedy

    This class is highly recommended for practising members and a suggested event for all Jukai recipients. Support your zen center by learning the service positions that we utilize for our sutra chanting service each day. Training will also be offered for the position of jikido (timekeeper.)

    At this all-day workshop, Arthur WaYu Kennedy will lead the class and it is open to all who want to learn to take a more active role at Yokoji. Please book via the office.

  • Day of Reflection

    Saturday August 17th, 5:20am - 8:20pm

    Take this opportunity to examine your life through the lens of the precepts. During dawn zazen, the precepts are recited in a short service and each of us chooses a precept to work with during the day. The day then follows the regular schedule, of either interim or training period, depending on the time of year. Work, meals, zazen and other activities provide the ground on which to experiment with, and reflect upon, the chosen precept. We finish the day with Fusatsu, or renewal of vows, an ancient ceremony of atonement and renewal followed by a council where each participant has the chance to share their experience.

    If you can’t make it for dawn zazen, you can come for work practice at 9am in the office and join the day then. The 10 grave precepts are listed as part of the 16 Bodhisattva precepts, which you will need to look at if you are not present for dawn zazen.

    There is no cost for the Day of Reflection, but if you would like to join us for any meals, we ask for a donation of approximately $10.00 per meal. Registration is not required if you do not plan on staying overnight, but please inform the office if you plan on attending.

  • Dharma Combat Ceremony

    Sunday August 18th, 9:30am - 12:30pm

    The head trainee for the Spring Training Period, David Jindo Butler, will face questions from the assembly in dharma combat. Come along to support Jindo and please sign up on the day to ask a question!

  • September

    Fall Training Period Entrance

    Sunday September 8th, 9:15am - 12:30pm

    Join us for a special ceremony marking the beginning of our Fall Training Period. Training Period is a time of intensified practice for the whole community—where we have the wonderful opportunity to recommit ourselves to practice, embodying and strengthening the qualities that we most appreciate and value. At this Entrance Ceremony, each trainee will have the opportunity to sign a petition, writing personal vows for this coming Training Period. This is an important gesture in renewing our resolve to practice wholeheartedly, so that we can approach each day with open hearts and clear minds, engaging with compassion and strength in our world. By making this resolution together with the community, we are all able to support one another in this important, collective endeavor, knitting together the fabric of Sangha and discovering the many beautiful threads of our common Life.

    Come early so that you will have time to prepare a vow and sign a petition before the ceremony starts. Even if you aren’t able to join us for the Entrance Ceremony, we still invite you to make a personal commitment to intensify your practice during the coming months. Whether you spend the whole period at Yokoji, just one or two weekends, or commit to a stronger home practice, we invite you to make a resolution to do what you can during this Training Period.

    After the ceremony, we’ll follow our regular Sunday schedule of zazen, dharma talk, and community lunch.

  • Fall Training Period

    Sunday September 8th  -  Sunday November 17th

    The Fall Training Period at Yokoji is a time of intensified practice for the whole community—where we have the wonderful opportunity to recommit ourselves to practice, embodying and strengthening the qualities that we most appreciate and value. It is a perfect time to spend a few days, weeks or months in residence at the Center to deepen your appreciation of life through zazen, service and communal living. Non-residents can participate both at home and at the Center. For those practicing at Yokoji, the schedule is more demanding, with an abundance of zazen and a greater number of sesshins. Whether you are spending the whole period at Yokoji, just one or two weekends, or are committing to a stronger home practice, we invite you to participate with us in any way that you can during this Training Period.

  • Sesshin

    Sunday September 8th, 3:30pm  -  Sunday September 15th, 12:30pm

    Sesshin can be translated as “to unify the mind.” Sesshin is at the heart of Zen Practice—a chance to give full attention to one’s life without distraction. Participants live at the Center for the duration, following a simple yet challenging schedule of zazen, chanting services, formal meals, work practice and rest periods. Dharma talks are given daily and Tenshin Roshi, if present, offers face-to face interview (dokusan) to all students. There are sometimes visiting teachers who will also give dharma talks and interviews. Please visit the sesshin page for more information about sesshin.

    If you would like to participate in a 7-day sesshin for the first time, we recommend that you attend a Day of Zen Practice class or a weekend sesshin first. If you cannot attend either of these first, you must at least be present for the first evening of sesshin to receive instruction.

    For those with prior sesshin experience, part-time participation is acceptable if you cannot make the whole event.

    Members: $400.00
    Non-members: $550.00

    Registration required. Part-time rates are listed on the sesshin page. Please look over the schedule for sesshin before signing up.

  • Day of Reflection

    Saturday September 21st, 5:20am - 8:20pm

    Take this opportunity to examine your life through the lens of the precepts. During dawn zazen, the precepts are recited in a short service and each of us chooses a precept to work with during the day. The day then follows the regular schedule, of either interim or training period, depending on the time of year. Work, meals, zazen and other activities provide the ground on which to experiment with, and reflect upon, the chosen precept. We finish the day with Fusatsu, or renewal of vows, an ancient ceremony of atonement and renewal followed by a council where each participant has the chance to share their experience.

    If you can’t make it for dawn zazen, you can come for work practice at 9am in the office and join the day then. The 10 grave precepts are listed as part of the 16 Bodhisattva precepts, which you will need to look at if you are not present for dawn zazen.

    There is no cost for the Day of Reflection, but if you would like to join us for any meals, we ask for a donation of approximately $10.00 per meal. Registration is not required if you do not plan on staying overnight, but please inform the office if you plan on attending.

  • October

    Day of Reflection

    Saturday October 19th, 5:30am - 8:20pm

    Take this opportunity to examine your life through the lens of the precepts. During dawn zazen, the precepts are recited in a short service and each of us chooses a precept to work with during the day. The day then follows the regular schedule, of either interim or training period, depending on the time of year. Work, meals, zazen and other activities provide the ground on which to experiment with, and reflect upon, the chosen precept. We finish the day with Fusatsu, or renewal of vows, an ancient ceremony of atonement and renewal followed by a council where each participant has the chance to share their experience.

    If you can’t make it for dawn zazen, you can come for work practice at 9am in the office and join the day then. The 10 grave precepts are listed as part of the 16 Bodhisattva precepts, which you will need to look at if you are not present for dawn zazen.

    There is no cost for the Day of Reflection, but if you would like to join us for any meals, we ask for a donation of approximately $10.00 per meal. Registration is not required if you do not plan on staying overnight, but please inform the office if you plan on attending.

  • November

    Beginner's Mind Sesshin

    Friday November 1st, 3:30pm  -  Sunday November 3rd, 12:30pm

    Led by Rev. Arthur WaYu Kennedy

    Sesshin can be translated as “to unify the mind.” Sesshin is at the heart of Zen Practice - a chance to give full attention to one’s life without distraction.

    This sesshin is designed for those who are new to Zen practice. There will be orientation given regarding the basic formal procedures that will be used over the weekend, so no prior experience is required. The schedule will be lighter than the regular sesshin that we run at Yokoji. We all have the ‘beginner’s mind’, that which sees the world afresh in each moment. Sesshin is the perfect vehicle to realize this. This sesshin is also open to experienced practitioners. Please look over the schedule for sesshin before signing up.

    Members: $150
    Non-members: $250

    Registration required. Part-time rates are listed on the sesshin page.

  • Halloween (Obon)

    Sunday November 3rd, 9:30am - 12:30pm

    Led by Rev. Arthur WaYu Kennedy

    The annual Buddhist festival where we honor our ancestral dead and give offerings. The festival is aligned with Halloween to bring Buddhism to our own western traditions. Open for all. Please bring food offerings for your ancestors to place on the altar.

  • Day of Reflection

    Saturday November 9th, 5:30am - 8:20pm

    Take this opportunity to examine your life through the lens of the precepts. During dawn zazen, the precepts are recited in a short service and each of us chooses a precept to work with during the day. The day then follows the regular schedule, of either interim or training period, depending on the time of year. Work, meals, zazen and other activities provide the ground on which to experiment with, and reflect upon, the chosen precept. We finish the day with Fusatsu, or renewal of vows, an ancient ceremony of atonement and renewal followed by a council where each participant has the chance to share their experience.

    If you can’t make it for dawn zazen, you can come for work practice at 9am in the office and join the day then. The 10 grave precepts are listed as part of the 16 Bodhisattva precepts, which you will need to look at if you are not present for dawn zazen.

    There is no cost for the Day of Reflection, but if you would like to join us for any meals, we ask for a donation of approximately $10.00 per meal. Registration is not required if you do not plan on staying overnight, but please inform the office if you plan on attending.

  • Sesshin (Rohatsu)

    Sunday November 10th, 3:30pm  -  Sunday November 17th, 12:30pm

    The final sesshin of the Fall Training Period. Rohatsu means ‘December 8th’ in Japanese, the date of Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment, but we bring the sesshin forward to tie it in to the end of training period. If Shakyamuni did it, you can too.

    Sesshin can be translated as “to unify the mind.” Sesshin is at the heart of Zen Practice—a chance to give full attention to one’s life without distraction. Participants live at the Center for the duration, following a simple yet challenging schedule of zazen, chanting services, formal meals, work practice and rest periods. Dharma talks are given daily and Tenshin Roshi, if present, offers face-to face interview (dokusan) to all students. There are sometimes visiting teachers who will also give dharma talks and interviews. Please visit the sesshin page for more information about sesshin.

    If you would like to participate in a 7-day sesshin for the first time, we recommend that you attend a Day of Zen Practice class or a weekend sesshin first. If you cannot attend either of these first, you must at least be present for the first evening of sesshin to receive instruction.

    For those with prior sesshin experience, part-time participation is acceptable if you cannot make the whole event.

    Members: $400.00
    Non-members: $550.00

    Registration required. Part-time rates are listed on the sesshin page. Please look over the schedule for sesshin before signing up.

  • December

    Closed over the Christmas Holiday

    Thursday December 19th  -  Thursday December 26th

    Yokoji will be closed to the public over the Christmas holiday period.

  • New Year's Sesshin

    Saturday December 28th, 3:30pm  -  Wednesday January 1st, 10:00am

    The annual end of year sesshin. A regular sesshin schedule builds up to new year’s eve, when we join together for different ceremonies and periods of zazen up until midnight. The ceremonies include a fire ritual, where we gather around a small fire and burn slips of paper with our hindrances from the past year written on them. In the morning on January 1st, we gather again around the fire and burn papers with our resolutions for the new year, acknowledging the transition between the old and new year by letting go of the past and embracing the future.

    Sesshin can be translated as “to unify the mind.” Sesshin is at the heart of Zen Practice—a chance to give full attention to one’s life without distraction. Participants live at the Center for the duration, following a simple yet challenging schedule of zazen, chanting services, formal meals, work practice and rest periods. Dharma talks are given daily and Tenshin Roshi, if present, offers face-to face interview (dokusan) to all students. There are sometimes visiting teachers who will also give dharma talks and interviews. Please visit the sesshin page for more information about sesshin.

    Members: $240
    Non-members: $350

    Registration required. Part-time rates are listed on the sesshin page. Please look over the schedule for sesshin before signing up.