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.

  • Fall Training Period

    Sunday September 17th  -  Sunday November 19th

    The Fall Training Period at Yokoji is a time of intensified practice for the whole community. 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.

  • October

    Day of Reflection

    Saturday October 21st, 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.

  • Essentials for Teaching

    Saturday October 21st, 10:00am - 4:00pm

    Led by Tenshin Fletcher, Roshi

    Essentials for Teaching CLASS 2

    The second class in a series of six and part of the curricular element of Teacher Certification. Previous attendance at the first class is required. The series is also recommended for leaders of sitting groups. A minimum of eight attendees is required, early sign-up is suggested.

    Please RSVP with the office. $100 requested donation per class due on arrival.

    Lunch will be provided. Please be sure to RSVP with the office if you plan on attending.

  • Beginner's Mind Sesshin

    Friday October 27th, 3:30pm  -  Sunday October 29th, 12:30pm

    Led by Arthur WaYu Kennedy

    Sesshin literally means "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: $120
    Non-members: $180

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

  • Halloween (Obon)

    Sunday October 29th, 9:30am - 12:30pm

    Led by 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.

  • November

    Day of Reflection

    Saturday November 11th, 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 November 12th, 9:30am - 12:30pm

    The head trainee for the Fall Training Period, Gavin Mokuin Strathie, will face questions from the assembly in dharma combat. Come along to support Mokuin and please sign up on the day to ask a question!

  • Sesshin (Rohatsu)

    Sunday November 12th, 3:30pm  -  Sunday November 19th, 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 literally means "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: $350.00
    Non-members: $500.00

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

  • December

    New Year's Sesshin

    Thursday December 28th, 3:30pm  -  Monday 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 literally means "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: $200
    Non-members: $310

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

  • January

    Day of Reflection

    Saturday January 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 January 26th, 3:30pm  -  Sunday January 28th, 12:30pm

    Sesshin literally means “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: $120
    Non-members: $180

  • February

    Day of Reflection

    Saturday February 17th, 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.

  • March

    Spring Training Period

    Sunday March 4th  -  Sunday May 20th

    The Spring Training Period at Yokoji is a time of intensified practice for the whole community. 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.

  • Sesshin

    Sunday March 4th, 3:30pm  -  Sunday March 11th, 12:30pm

    Sesshin literally means “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 weekend sesshin first. If you cannot attend one of these first, you must at least be present for the first evening of sesshin to receive instruction.

    For most sesshins we eat formally for lunch in the meditation hall, which is known as oryoki. If you do not have your own set of bowls, you can rent them from us for $10, or buy a set in our gift store.

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

    Members: $350.00
    Non-members: $500.00

    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 March 17th, 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.

  • April

    Beginner's Mind Sesshin

    Friday April 13th, 3:30pm  -  Sunday April 15th, 12:30pm

    Sesshin literally means “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: $120
    Non-members: $180

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

  • Day of Reflection

    Saturday April 21st, 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.

  • May

    Sesshin

    Sunday May 13th, 3:30pm  -  Sunday May 20th, 12:30pm

    Sesshin literally means “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: $350.00
    Non-members: $500.00

    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 May 26th, 5:30am  -  Saturday May 26th, 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.