Hokyoji supports a variety of retreats, each with its own distinctive practice vision, perspective, and teaching style. At the Jewel Mirror Sesshin, zazen is practiced throughout the day, interspersed with formal services, oryoki-style meals, and a work period each afternoon. Three teachers will present teachings based on a study text; this year, the text will be the Hōkyō Zanmai, Jewel Mirror Samadhi.
This is a cherished opportunity to cultivate an atmosphere of deep silence and introspection. We look forward to practicing with you.
Cost: $595 (Hokyoji members are eligible for a 20% discount)
Retreat Leaders (from left to right as shown in the photo below)
Reirin Alheidis Gumbel has been the Resident Priest at Milwaukee Zen Center since 2015. After many years of being a lay practitioner, she was trained at the San Francisco Zen Center, where she lived as a monastic for almost 12 years. She was ordained as a Soto Zen Priest by Furyu Nancy Schroeder in 2007 and received Dharma Transmission in May of 2019. Reirin attempts to be an example for her sangha by maintaining a strong sitting practice and bringing it into the world that so urgently needs the dharma.
Dokai Georgesen started practicing Zen with Dainin Katagiri Roshi in 1974 and was ordained in 1984. He received transmission from Katagiri Roshi in 1989. He is the Guiding Teacher at Hokyoji and has resided there since 2003. He is the current President of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association (SZBA).
Daigaku Rummé was ordained a Soto monk by Harada Sekkei Roshi in 1978 and trained with him for over 27 years at Hosshinji Monastery in Japan. In 2003 he began working at the Soto Zen Buddhism International Center in San Francisco. He then moved to L.A. in 2010, where he was Director of the Soto Zen Buddhism North America Office and Head Priest of Zenshuji Soto Temple. In 2015, he moved to St. Louis and founded Confluence Zen Center where he is the guiding teacher.
Calligraphy of Hōkyō Zanmai by Daigaku Rummé.
Typical Hokyoji sesshin schedule
5:30 am Wake up
6:00 am Zazen (sitting meditation)
6:35 am Kinhin (walking meditation)
6:45 am Zazen
7:20 am Service
7:45 am Breakfast using oryoki
Clean up
Individual Practice
9:00 am Zazen
9:35 am Kinhin
9:45 am Zazen or dharma talk
10:40 am break
11:10 am Zazen
11:45 am Service
12:05 pm Lunch using oryoki
Clean up
Individual Practice
2:00 pm Communal work practice
3:30 pm End work
4:15 pm Zazen
4:50 pm Kinhin
5:00 pm Zazen
5:35 pm Service
6:00 pm Supper using oryoki
7:30 pm Zazen
8:05 pm Kinhin
8:15 pm Zazen
8:50 pm End of day