Retreat in United States

[Nengyo]

BYOZ? This is going to be some party!

[Yugen]

We will be posting with logistics and information for the retreat shortly, so folks can make plans in an organized fashion.

To all interested/potential attendees: please think about when you can make a firm commitment to the retreat, as we will be planning and budgeting for this activity. I consider purchased tickets to be firm commitments! Off we go!

Deep bows
Yugen

[Taigu]

Hi everybody,

I just want to confirm that Yugen is our retreat coordinator and agreed to take this responsability. He will be working in consultation with me and will make the necessary decisions when appropriate. He will be coordinating with Dokan who is kindly hosting this remarkable event that should see the highest concentration of Treeleaf Zen priests, three receiving tokudo on the last day. Jundo shall join us on the last day as well so the family gathering will be perfect .
If you come, it should be a serious commitment, if you agree to a responsability you should put all your heart and energy into it. This retreat will be very traditional and provide a training ground for all as we can all learn from each other. I will do daily dokusan in my ferocious-funny style and do my very best to point at this reality which is but your life.

More information to come .

Gassho

Taigu

[Ed]

I am quite close and CAN do this. Must be a tentative yes....I looked at the fares and it comes in at a doable $300.00 round trip now. Would like to rent a car too and help with rides.
I got the time accrued but must go see 89 years mom in New Orleans this coming summer......
As soon as I book and this will be soon, like before Christmas, I will confirm here.

[Hans]

Hello,

may I suggest that people who definitely commit at some point soon also send a private message to Yugen and Dokan? It is very hard to plan with a tentative "yes" and one cannot expect those organising the retreat to always check a thread and to read between the lines.

Gassho and deep bows to those helping with the organisation of the retreat,

Hans Chudo Mongen

[Heisoku]

I will confirm when the plane is booked!
Gassho.

[Ed]

Yes. Curving enthusiasm is good here.
Will confirm when booked.

[murasaki]

My birthday is Aug. 9th. I would love to be there. Saving my pennies now.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

[Yugen]

Hi folks,
A quick and early update on a few retreat-related topics. While we are a good eight months away, I would like to address a few questions that are popping up.

- We suggest that folks make arrangements to arrive at Washington/Dulles Airport (IAD) Friday August 8, in preparation for a morning start on Saturday August 9. As we get a better idea of numbers attending, we will address transportation from the airport to Dokan's home.

- We will be requiring a nonrefundable deposit by April 1 for the retreat so we can make some definite plans around menu planning, food purchases, space utilization, etc. Prior to that time we will also calculate and post the suggested participation fee. This fee is intended to encourage people to firm up their plans well in advance - Dokan and his family are opening their home to us and we in turn would like to plan as thoroughly as possible so inconvenience to them is minimized.

- The retreat is BYOZ! (Bring your own zafu) - Zabutons wil be graciously provided by Dokan and his family (who are busy sewing!). Plan to bring a sleeping bag as sleeping arrangements will most likely be sleeping bags on mats.

- While the retreat is to be silent and technology-free, we do recognize that people will need to be in touch with their families and work situations. We will provide time in the schedule at the end of each day for people to phone home / check voicemail / email. We would like to be sensitive to people's need to stay in touch during the retreat but at the same time insist upon encouraging an environment of serious and committed practice. Please plan ahead so people know what to expect while you are at the retreat.

- If you cannot come to the retreat for the full period, it is acceptable to attend for two days or three, or some subset of the full six days. Whichever you commit to, please keep the commitment you make. Endeavor please to join the retreat at the beginning of the days' practice so the flow is not disrupted. When you know your plans, if you are not attending the entire retreat, please do let us know which days you plan to attend. If you cannot attend in person, you can always join us online!

- We plan on a fairly traditional menu that will include soups, vegetarian fare, and chicken/fish alternatives. We know there are Sangha members who are vegetarian, and those who are not. The retreat will be alcohol-free. Our diet will not be about picking or choosing, or forcing a particular dietary regimen on anyone. Part of eating what is served at the retreat involves the practice of accepting what is offered. We will make sure to enquire about any dietary limitations (for medical or ethical reasons) and do our best to accommodate them. Food planning and preparation will be handled by a Tenzo (one of the Unsui) and we will assign two retreat participants to volunteer as assistants on a rotating basis.

- The last day of the retreat will be the Shukke Tokudo ceremony for Daido, Dokan, and Taikyo. This will be a special, Treeleaf family occasion - the culmination of a period of intense practice and a time of celebration. If you are attending the retreat, please make every effort to be present for this day, to honor our brothers Daido, Dokan, and Taikyo.

More to follow.

Deep bows
Yugen

[Seishin the Elder]

This sounds wonderful. I need to check my schedule, as well as the needs of the diocese, before committing, but I believe that barring expenses I would be able to attend the retreat. Please let us know sooner rather than later what the costs will be. I probably would be driving from the Chicago area, if there is anyone who prefers this type of travel rather than the hubbub and expense of air or rail, perhaps travel expense could be shared, with door to door service .
BTW if ever another such retreat is considered, and a more geographically centered location sought, I would strongly suggest Christ the King Priory in Schuyler, Nebraska. It is a Benedictine Priory and Spiritual Center in a beautiful setting that has accommodated Zen Retreats often.
Looking forward

Gassho,

Seishin Kyrill

[Yugen]

Retreat in United States

Hello all!
Planning for the August 9-14 retreat is moving along and I would like to share the following information:

1) The cost for the retreat will be 240. USD. This translates to a cost of 40. USD per day. The funds will be spent on food, supplies, and a contribution for logistics (utilities - water, electric, etc at Dokan's house) for the retreat. Unexpended funds will be donated to a charity of our choosing. If you are attending for less than the full six days, the cost of attendance will be number of days you are attending x 40. USD. Instructions for payment will be forthcoming, as we are setting up a dedicated account for the retreat (two Unsui will manage the retreat account). Deposits will be accepted as of March 1.

2) A 100. USD deposit is requested by May 15 to indicate commitment to the retreat, with the remainder to be submitted by July 1. Anyone who decides to attend the retreat and commit after July 1 is respectfully requested to pay the full amount at time of registration. We would really like to avoid last minute registrants as we are guests in Dokan's home - planning for practice/sleeping space is important, and the menu is being planned in advance. We recognize that plans do change - if someone makes a commitment and then is unable to attend, a full refund will be made.

3) If you are interested in registering and making a deposit, please PM or email me at yugenmutsu@gmail.com . I will provide payment instructions (after March 1) and a short registration form which will request emergency contact instructions as well as any medical information which may be relevant. Please be sure your health insurance provides coverage for this locale - if you are traveling in from outside the US please be advised that additional trip-specific health insurance may be required!

4) The retreat will be practiced in silence. Conversation is possible at certain times, such as following dinner, and during Dokusan, but please remember the purpose of our coming together. I am posting below a sample schedule for one day of the retreat. All other days will resemble this one, with the exception of the final day, which will include and Ordination ceremony and celebration. Please note that there is time at the end of the day for mobile phone / computer use. For attendees from Europe, it will be possible to use time to make calls briefly in the morning upon rising or following lunch. Please be judicious in the use of your devices and make arrangements as much as possible to immerse yourself in personal and technical silence!

5) Please remember that arrival airport is IAD. It would be best to schedule arrival on the afternoon of 8 August as the retreat will start early on the 9th. As we collect arrival information we can make ridesharing arrangements for folks to Dokan's home. Sleeping accomodations will be separate for females and males. This is a no-smoking and alcohol/chemical-free retreat. We will make a small outdoor smoking area available at day's end, but again, please be judicious. We will be enjoying alcoholic beverages (in moderation) for those who choose to do so following the Ordination ceremony on the 14th.

Here is a sample of the schedule:

5: 30 : waking up
6: 00 - 6:40: zazen
6:45-7:25: zazen
7:30-8:15: zazen
8:15-8:45: ceremony
8:45-9:00: free time
9:00-9:30: breakfast
9:30-10:00: coffee tea /dokusan
10:00-12:00: sewing /samu
12:00-12:30 :lunch
12: 30-13:30: rest
13:30-14:10: zazen
14:15-15:00: zazen
15:00-17:00: sewing/ samu
17:00-18:00: circle and teaching
18:00-19:00 : freetime dokusan
19:00-20:00: diner /coffee tea
20:00-20:40: zazen
20:45-21:30: fukanzazenji in Japanese
21:30-22:30: freetime (phone and computer check-in)

22:30: bedtime

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Deep bows,
Yugen

[Myozan Kodo]

Great work, Yugen. Well done.

I'll be there and will pay my $100 deposit in the next few weeks.

Gassho

PS: everyone travelling from outside the US (that are non-US citizens) will need to be fully certain that they have filled out the various Homeland Security forms online. Whatever your feelings on privacy and data protection, you will NOT be allowed into the US without complying. I know people that have been sent back to Ireland because their paperwork was not in order. So, be warned. Gassho.

[Shohei]

Thank you!
I will make my deposit next Friday.
Thanks for the heads up for the security forms, been awhile since I traveled state side (2006)and had no clue!

Gassho
Shohei

[Yugen]

Hi Shohei,
We will be able to accept deposits on/after March 1. We have to set up a dedicated account in which to receive and account for the receipts. Thank you!

Deep bows
Yugen

[Myozan Kodo]

Hi Shohei,
As a Canadian you might have special arrangements with the US. Not sure.
Gassho
Myozan