NOTE: After Sesshin and Jukain on 4/13, we will be closed until Saturday, 5/3.
The Meditation Hall remains open on Saturdays 8:30 -9:30 for anyone who arrives to sit.
RETREATS
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 April 10-13.
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: [email protected] or by phone: 413-588-8053.
SPRING SESSHIN
led by Senseis Tom Daijo Redden and Suzanne Shunryo Webber
April 10-13
at Windhorse Hill Retreat Center
Pre-register with Dantika by April 6, 5pm: [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 - 12:00 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 Enlightenment Sesshin or for Dana, and make separate payments for each. We thank you for this attention to detail.
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 at Windhorse Hill - ask the registrar.
STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP 2: DREAMING
Saturday, April 5, 10:30-2:30 RSVP: [email protected]
at Windhorse Hill Retreat Center and on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89145865057)
You shouldn't chase after the past or place expectations on the future. What is past is left behind.
The future is as yet unreached. Whatever quality is present you clearly see right there, right there.
Buddha (from Bhaddekaratta Sutta in Thanissaro’s translation)
All are welcome to join this second workshop in a year-long strategic planning process for Green River Zen Center. We held our first workshop on Feb, 1 in which we explored our current situation through Council Practice and Appreciative Inquiry. In that session, we completed the “Discovery” part of the process. At this next workshop, we enter the “Dream” phase and this will be our chance to bring fresh and innovative ideas while retaining our foundation as we’ve outlined in our “Discovery” phase. Overall we will consider our mission, our vision for the future, and the personality of Green River Zen Center. All voices and perspectives are valued as we explore the environment where our vitality lives, and how we nurture that environment in our future. Potluck!
ONE-DAY RETREATS
Led by GRZC teachers on the last Saturdays of the month at Windhorse Hill Retreat Center and on zoom, 9:00am - 5:00pm.
Fee: $25 except where noted below. 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 by 5pm three days prior to receive the full schedule and the Zoom link: email: [email protected]
January 25, led by Sensei John Kealy
February 22, Bodhidharma Retreat: wall-sitting, no teacher, no talk, no fee
March 29, led by Sensei Sally Sonen Kealy and Dharma Holder Dantika Monize
PRECEPTS STUDYUnderstand the Practice Path of the Zen Peacemakers 16 Bodhisattva Precepts
Meeting in-person only in Montague, MA, Sundays, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
This is an in-person practice group to bring the Zen Bodhisattva Precepts into our lives as a way of being. We will meet 8 times between November and April. All are welcome, including those from other faith and practice traditions. This is a rich and intimate study and many people choose to participate more than once. We will read the book by Roshi Nancy Mujo Baker: Opening to Oneness: A Practical and Philosophical Guide to the Zen Precepts and other readings. When you complete this study, you may formally receive the precepts in the ceremony of Jukai, sewing a Rakusu and taking the vows of practice. Let Shunryo know if you would like Jukai.
November 24 - Three Refuges, Three Tenets, Non-Killing
December 15 - Non-Killing, Atonement, Non-Stealing
January 12 - Non Stealing, Not Misusing Sexuality
February 2 - Non Lying, Not Using Intoxicants
February 16 - Not Using Intoxicants, Not Talking About Others Errors and Faults
March 9 - Not Talking About Others Errors and Faults, Not Elevating Oneself or Blaming Others
March 23 - Not Being Stingy, Not Holding Onto Anger
April 6 - Honoring the Three Treasures, Presentation of Mandalas
Those who have completed formal study may participate in a monthly discussion group May - August.
SONGS OF THE MYSTERY
and Tales of the Montague Farm Zen Lineage
Concert with John Genyo Sprague and THE ENCHANTIVISTS featuring Claire Dacey
at the Montague Retreat Center, 177 Ripley Road, Montague, MA
March 16, 3:00 pm
A Fundraiser to benefit GRZC and local immigrant communities. Refreshments after the performance. Listen, and learn more about the Enchantivists.
REMEMBERING THE INNOCENTS
January 26-27
Friends in the Middle East and around the world are reading the names of children who were killed in the last war since October 2023, in Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon and Israel. 17,000 children. The ritual will end on Monday, January 27, about 36 hours to read all the names. To see the videos in three parts look here.
PRACTICES & SERVICES ROTATED THROUGH OUR 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 January 28, February 25, March 25. 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 on Saturdays at 9:40 am following meditation. This season the Gate will be chanted on Januay 18 and February 15.
RENEWAL OF VOWS CEREMONY
A ceremony renewing our vows to the Precepts will take place on Saturdays, January 11 and March 15, 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 Tuesday, February 11, after Zazen.
The Meditation Hall remains open on Saturdays 8:30 -9:30 for anyone who arrives to sit.
RETREATS
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 April 10-13.
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: [email protected] or by phone: 413-588-8053.
SPRING SESSHIN
led by Senseis Tom Daijo Redden and Suzanne Shunryo Webber
April 10-13
at Windhorse Hill Retreat Center
Pre-register with Dantika by April 6, 5pm: [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 - 12:00 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 Enlightenment Sesshin or for Dana, and make separate payments for each. We thank you for this attention to detail.
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 at Windhorse Hill - ask the registrar.
STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP 2: DREAMING
Saturday, April 5, 10:30-2:30 RSVP: [email protected]
at Windhorse Hill Retreat Center and on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89145865057)
You shouldn't chase after the past or place expectations on the future. What is past is left behind.
The future is as yet unreached. Whatever quality is present you clearly see right there, right there.
Buddha (from Bhaddekaratta Sutta in Thanissaro’s translation)
All are welcome to join this second workshop in a year-long strategic planning process for Green River Zen Center. We held our first workshop on Feb, 1 in which we explored our current situation through Council Practice and Appreciative Inquiry. In that session, we completed the “Discovery” part of the process. At this next workshop, we enter the “Dream” phase and this will be our chance to bring fresh and innovative ideas while retaining our foundation as we’ve outlined in our “Discovery” phase. Overall we will consider our mission, our vision for the future, and the personality of Green River Zen Center. All voices and perspectives are valued as we explore the environment where our vitality lives, and how we nurture that environment in our future. Potluck!
ONE-DAY RETREATS
Led by GRZC teachers on the last Saturdays of the month at Windhorse Hill Retreat Center and on zoom, 9:00am - 5:00pm.
Fee: $25 except where noted below. 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 by 5pm three days prior to receive the full schedule and the Zoom link: email: [email protected]
January 25, led by Sensei John Kealy
February 22, Bodhidharma Retreat: wall-sitting, no teacher, no talk, no fee
March 29, led by Sensei Sally Sonen Kealy and Dharma Holder Dantika Monize
PRECEPTS STUDYUnderstand the Practice Path of the Zen Peacemakers 16 Bodhisattva Precepts
Meeting in-person only in Montague, MA, Sundays, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
This is an in-person practice group to bring the Zen Bodhisattva Precepts into our lives as a way of being. We will meet 8 times between November and April. All are welcome, including those from other faith and practice traditions. This is a rich and intimate study and many people choose to participate more than once. We will read the book by Roshi Nancy Mujo Baker: Opening to Oneness: A Practical and Philosophical Guide to the Zen Precepts and other readings. When you complete this study, you may formally receive the precepts in the ceremony of Jukai, sewing a Rakusu and taking the vows of practice. Let Shunryo know if you would like Jukai.
November 24 - Three Refuges, Three Tenets, Non-Killing
December 15 - Non-Killing, Atonement, Non-Stealing
January 12 - Non Stealing, Not Misusing Sexuality
February 2 - Non Lying, Not Using Intoxicants
February 16 - Not Using Intoxicants, Not Talking About Others Errors and Faults
March 9 - Not Talking About Others Errors and Faults, Not Elevating Oneself or Blaming Others
March 23 - Not Being Stingy, Not Holding Onto Anger
April 6 - Honoring the Three Treasures, Presentation of Mandalas
Those who have completed formal study may participate in a monthly discussion group May - August.
- Sliding fee $100-$300 payable directly to GRZC by the end of March.
- Each class includes about 20-30 minutes of teaching over a couple of segments, most of the class is discussion and learning from each other.
- You will be encouraged to pair up by phone, zoom, or in person once or twice outside of class to discuss with your "buddy" how things are going w/precepts study.
- You will be encouraged to make a mandala of the precepts in your life - this will be explained further in class.
SONGS OF THE MYSTERY
and Tales of the Montague Farm Zen Lineage
Concert with John Genyo Sprague and THE ENCHANTIVISTS featuring Claire Dacey
at the Montague Retreat Center, 177 Ripley Road, Montague, MA
March 16, 3:00 pm
A Fundraiser to benefit GRZC and local immigrant communities. Refreshments after the performance. Listen, and learn more about the Enchantivists.
REMEMBERING THE INNOCENTS
January 26-27
Friends in the Middle East and around the world are reading the names of children who were killed in the last war since October 2023, in Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon and Israel. 17,000 children. The ritual will end on Monday, January 27, about 36 hours to read all the names. To see the videos in three parts look here.
PRACTICES & SERVICES ROTATED THROUGH OUR 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 January 28, February 25, March 25. 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 on Saturdays at 9:40 am following meditation. This season the Gate will be chanted on Januay 18 and February 15.
RENEWAL OF VOWS CEREMONY
A ceremony renewing our vows to the Precepts will take place on Saturdays, January 11 and March 15, 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 Tuesday, February 11, 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: [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: [email protected]