RETREATS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
In addition to our weekly schedule we offer monthly Zazenkais, or One-Day Retreats, and 2-3 longer retreats called Sesshins, typically in April, August and December. Our next Sesshin is Rohatsu: December 5-8.
Retreats are held at Windhorse Hill Retreat Center, 525B River Road, Deerfield MA, and on zoom unless otherwise noted.
Our retreats and special events are supported though fees and donations payable on PayPal, or at the event, or by check mailed to PO Box 247 Montague, MA 01351. We offer financial support and no one is ever turned away for lack of funds. Please speak to the registrar if you would like financial leeway to attend a program. Contact Dantika to register at [email protected] or by phone: 413-588-8053
In case of inclement weather, an email will be sent to all those registered if there are changes to the schedule.
ONE-DAY RETREATS
Led by GRZC teachers on last Saturdays of the month at Windhorse Hill Retreat Center and on zoom, 9:00am - 5:00pm.
Fee: $25. No one is turned away for lack of funds. Join us for a day of meditation, a dharma talk, opportunity for face-to-face/private study with the teacher, and a final circle. Payable on site or by PayPal. Please bring a sack lunch. Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided. Pre-register to receive the Zoom link: email: [email protected]
September 28, led by Sensei Tom Daijo Redden and Dharma Holder Dantika Monize
October 26, Bodhidharma Retreat: wall-sitting, no teacher, no talk, no fee
November 30, led by Sensei Suzanne Shunryo Webber
ROHATSU
led by Senseis Tom Daijo Redden and Suzanne Shunryo Webber
December 5 - 8
at Windhorse Hill Retreat Center
Pre-register with Dantika by Friday, 11/22: [email protected] or by phone: 413-588-8053
BASIC SCHEDULE: A full schedule will be posted at the retreat
Thursday, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Friday & Saturday, 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sunday, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
MEALS: Lunch & Dinner provided Friday and Saturday. Please eat breakfast at home. Meals will be simple vegetarian with gluten free options. Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided.
FEES: Financial leeway is given by request at registration. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Dana, or a heart donation, will be requested on behalf of the teachers.
In Person (three days): $65/day GRZC members, $75/day non-member
Zoom: $45/day members, $55/day non-members
Three payment options: Paypal; or by check at the retreat; or mail a check to PO Box 247, Montague, MA 01351. Please indicate on the payment whether it is for the Rohatsu Retreat or for Dana, and make separate payments for each. We thank you for this attention to detail.
COVID POLICY: Vaccination is encouraged. Masks are optional. Please participate in care of the sangha and attend on zoom if you do not feel well.
LODGING: Lodging is available in a variety of hotels, inns and B&B in Deerfield, Greenfield, Amherst, Hadley and Northampton, MA. Closest are in Deerfield and Greenfield. Limited lodging may be available w/members of GRZC or at Windhorse - ask registrar.
THURSDAY DISCUSSION GROUP
Alternating weeks: October 10, 24, November 7, 21 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm
led by Senseis Tom Daijo Redden and Suzanne Shunryo Webber
We will read together and explore the themes in Roshi Joan Halifax' book, Being with Dying: Cultivating Compassion and Fearlessness in the Presence of Death. We will focus on the practices taught in the book. Please find a copy of the book to read the suggested section in time for discussion. For the first week, read as much of Part One as you are able. Contact Tom Daijo Redden if you would like to participate, and please commit to attend as many dates as you are able. Fee is by donation, with suggestion of $35 members, $45 non-members payable to Green River Zen Center. This group will be capped at 15 people.
PRECEPTS STUDY We will offer a study over several months as interest becomes clear and time available. Please contact Suzanne Shunryo Webber if you would like to study the precepts. If you want it to, this study could lead to sewing a rakusu and formally receiving the precepts in the ceremony of Jukai. This study will be capped at 8 people.
FREE EVENTS IN REGULAR SCHEDULE
COUNCIL
Green River Zen Center does a monthly council practice on the last Tuesday of every month. It will take place this season on Sept. 24, Oct. 29, Nov. 26. Council is a circle practice of listening and speaking from the heart. Its foundation is consonant with the Three Tenets of the Zen Peacemakers: Not-knowing, bearing witness, and loving action.
GATE OF SWEET NECTAR
Green River Zen Center chants the Gate of Sweet Nectar, the Zen Peacemakers’ liturgy to feed all the hungry ghosts at 9:40 am following meditation. This season the Gate will be chanted on Oct. 19 and Nov. 23.
RENEWAL OF VOWS CEREMONY
A ceremony renewing our vows to the Precepts will take place on Saturdays, Sept. 21 and Nov. 16, after Zazen. All are invited to participate, regardless of whether you have formally received the precepts in Jukai.
REFLECTION ON PRECEPTS
A guided reflection on how we as individuals are observing the precepts will take place on Tuesdays, Oct. 15 and Dec. 3, after Zazen.
MEMBERSHIP IN GREEN RIVER ZEN CENTER
Do you consider yourself part of the sangha? If so, please consider becoming a member and making monthly financial commitments to help support basic operations at the Zendo. You may also do service in lieu of some of the membership fee.
As a member, you will receive reductions in retreat prices. Most important, you will be supporting the flowering of the sangha’s practice.
For more information, please see Membership Program, or contact Lily Perkins, Treasurer: [email protected]
Do you consider yourself part of the sangha? If so, please consider becoming a member and making monthly financial commitments to help support basic operations at the Zendo. You may also do service in lieu of some of the membership fee.
As a member, you will receive reductions in retreat prices. Most important, you will be supporting the flowering of the sangha’s practice.
For more information, please see Membership Program, or contact Lily Perkins, Treasurer: [email protected]