Rohatsu commemorates the historical Buddha's enlightenment

It is said that the Buddha sat down beneath the Bodhi tree and made a great resolve: “Though only my bones and sinews remain and my skin and flesh wither away, I will not leave this place until I realize complete enlightenment”. He practiced through the night.

“Shakyamuni Buddha realized enlightenment on seeing the morning star. He said, “I and all beings on earth together realize enlightenment simultaneously.” After this great realization, he spent the forty years of the rest of his life helping others to find what he’d found. This is the essence of Zen – to find the happiness that doesn’t depend on external conditions and to be a useful person in the world.

Rohatsu sesshin begins with arrival around 3 pm on Sunday November 30. Each night an additional half hour of zazen is added until midnight, culminating in The Buddha's Enlightenment Ceremony in the Sutra Hall in the morning of December 8. December 9 is a travel day.

The fee for the sesshin can be found on our Fees and Rates page.

Everyone is invited to enjoy the natural hot springs during off hours.