Practice periods offer the chance to settle into the rhythm of steady, sustained and structured practice over an extended period of time.

Hokyoji’s practice period schedule does not focus exclusively on zazen, but emphasizes a holistic approach to caring for the body and mind. There is time for individual relaxation and rest, exercise and body work, and group discussion of a classic or contemporary spiritual text. Private discussion with a senior teacher is also possible

Each week of Practice Period will start on Monday evening and go through Sunday morning. Although full participation in the practice period is encouraged, it is possible to attend in one-week increments.  If the one-week increment won’t work for you, please contact us to discuss options. To participate in a practice period, please click here.  Please sign up to participate in a practice period at least 48 hours before your planned arrival.  Not only does this give us the time we need to make sure we can feed and accommodate you, it gives you the opportunity to be thoughtful about your practice commitment.

Practice Period schedule

Monday

4:00 pm – Arrival/Settling in
6:00 pm – Dinner (clean up)
7:30 pm – Orientation/Zazen
8:00 pm – Zazen
8:30 pm – Good night vows/bows

Tuesday (Silent Day)

6:30 am – Zazen/Kinhin (walking meditation)
7:50 am – Service
8:10 am – Breakfast
9:30 am – Zazen/Kinhin
11:45 am – Service
12:10 pm – Lunch
2:00 pm – Work practice
3:15 pm – Snack/Individual practice
5:15 pm – Zazen
5:50 pm – Service
6:10 pm – Dinner
7:30 pm – Zazen/Kinhin
8:50 pm – Good night vows/bows

Wednesday-Saturday (Quiet Days)

6:30 am – Zazen/Kinhin (walking meditation)
7:50 am – Service
8:10 am – Breakfast
9:00 am – Chosan (study/discussion)
11:10 am – Zazen
11:45 am – Service
12:10 pm – Lunch
2:00 pm – Work practice
3:15 pm – Snack/Individual practice
5:15 pm – Zazen
5:50 pm – Service
6:10 pm – Dinner
7:30 pm – Zazen/Kinhin
8:50 pm – Good night vows/bows

Sunday

6:30 am – Zazen/Kinhin (walking meditation)
7:50 am – Service
8:10 am – Breakfast
9:00 am – Dharma Talk
10:00 am – Closing Circle

Practice Period schedule

Monday

4:00 pm – Arrival/Settling in
6:00 pm – Dinner (clean up)
7:30 pm – Orientation/Zazen
8:00 pm – Zazen
8:30 pm – Good night vows/bows

Tuesday (Silent Day)

6:30 am – Zazen/Kinhin (walking meditation)
7:50 am – Service
8:10 am – Breakfast
9:30 am – Zazen/Kinhin
11:45 am – Service
12:10 pm – Lunch
2:00 pm – Work practice
3:15 pm – Snack/Individual practice
5:15 pm – Zazen
5:50 pm – Service
6:10 pm – Dinner
7:30 pm – Zazen/Kinhin
8:50 pm – Good night vows/bows

Wednesday-Saturday (Quiet Days)

6:30 am – Zazen/Kinhin (walking meditation)
7:50 am – Service
8:10 am – Breakfast
9:00 am – Chosan (study/discussion)
11:10 am – Zazen
11:45 am – Service
12:10 pm – Lunch
2:00 pm – Work practice
3:15 pm – Snack/Individual practice
5:15 pm – Zazen
5:50 pm – Service
6:10 pm – Dinner
7:30 pm – Zazen/Kinhin
8:50 pm – Good night vows/bows

Sunday

6:30 am – Zazen/Kinhin (walking meditation)
7:50 am – Service
8:10 am – Breakfast
9:00 am – Dharma Talk
10:00 am – Closing Circle