Creston Zendo

We offer early morning practice three days a week, and one day when Zen Centre runs a full practice schedule and a weekly evening class. On that day, people are invited to drop in to join a sitting & have a meal, use the library, or help with a work project.

» Click here to view and download the printable April 2010 pdf Schedule

Retreats

Introductory Retreats
Second Sunday of Every Month 1:00 pm – 3:30 (Call First: 250-428-3390)
Introduction to Zen meditation and to how to get involved in a regular meditation practice.

Fall Schedule 2010

Morning Practice 
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
6:15  zazen
6:45 kinhin (walking meditation)
7:00  zazen
7:20  morning chanting

Midday Practice
Wednesday
5:15  Recitation of Dogen’s “Fukazazengi”
5:30  Zazen
6:00  Dinner (informal)
Thursday
5:15  Recitation of Dogen’s “Fukazazengi”
5:30  Zazen

Evening Practice
Wednesday
7:00  zazen
7:30  kinhin
7:40  zazen and class
8:50  zazen and chanting

(There will be one other evening zazen, but which day is yet to be determined.)

 

Fall Training Term – September 24 – December 19
How To Raise An Ox
The training term is designed to give students a taste of a committed Zen practice. In a training term, students make a commitment to follow a self-designed practice which includes the following:

  1. A commitment to sitting a specific number of days per week  (time of day and frequency determined by the student’s demands of daily life.)
  2. A commitment to designating one simple manual labour activity that happens daily (like washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen) as work meditation.
  3. Attendance at one or more of three weekend retreats. (Friday 7:00 to Sunday noon)
  4. Weekly attendance at Zendo for meditation and class.
  5. Take on one temple duty.  Ie – sacristan, precentor, bell ringer, library management, zendo care.
  6. Study the training term text and contribute to class and online discussion.

The text for the course will be How To Raise an Ox, by Francis Dojun Cook.  See:  (http://www.amazon.com/How-Raise-Ox-Practice-Shobogenzo/dp/0861713176)
Please read the introduction before the first retreat/class.

Training Term Schedule

Weekly class on Wednesdays (day of week is flexible for group needs)
Opening retreat – September 24, 25, 26.
Mid term retreat  - October 29, 30, 31.
Closing retreat  - December 17, 18, 19.

It is possible to join an online version of this retreat. If you are interested, please contact Kuya via email.

Cost:  For Contributing Members ($25.00/mo)      $90 (includes food, lodging and instructor fee)
            For all others.                                                  $160 (includes food, lodging and instructor fee)
                                    Dana, donation to the livelihood of the priest, is always appreciated.

           

Special Events
Opening Retreat  - Introduction to Dogen
September 24, 25, 26
Segaki Retreat and Ceremony of Feeding the Hungry Ghosts    
October 25 to October 31
Rohatsu Retreat, Solstice Celebration and Festival of the Buddha’s Enlightenment
December  13 - 19
Day of Mindfulness
On each Saturday closest to the new moon, there will be a daylong community work retreat. 
Dates:  October 9, November 6, December 4.

Please note that Wednesdays are open for private daylong retreats. 

 

Weekend Retreats
Retreats start at 7:00 pm on a Friday and end at noon on Sunday.
They include meditation, study, mindfulness practice and chanting. Teacher tuition is by donation (dana.) Food costs are: $40 for the weekend. Food is light vegetarian fare.
Jan 15, 16, 17 Introduction to Precept Practice
Feb 26, 27, 28 Taking Precept Practice Deeper
April 9, 10, 11 The Ceremonies of Jukai

Weeklong Retreat
Weeklong retreats are similar to weekend retreats, only longer.
April 25 – April 30 Jukai: Giving and Receiving the Precepts.

Special events

December 21. Festival of Buddha’s Enlightenment/Winter Solstice
5:00 pm Potluck
(Call first: 250-428-3390)
December 31 Ringing in the New Year
11:00 pm meditation, 12:00 Traditional Bell Ringing, Non-alcoholic toast to 2010.