December Sesshin – Rohatsu

Rohatsu sesshin marks the week Buddha sat beneath the Bodhi tree and awakened. At Great Vow, this December retreat runs seven days—a traditional intensive schedule with zazen sitting, work practice (samu), formal meals, and teisho (teaching talks) from the teacher. The center has not yet published the teacher's name, the full daily schedule, or details about lodging and meals.

If you've sat sesshin before, you know the shape: early rises, long sitting periods, kinhin between them, dokusan if offered (the center hasn't specified), and the rhythm of work and silence that marks a Soto sesshin. If this is your first, contact Great Vow directly—they'll tell you what to expect, what to bring, and whether this retreat is open to new practitioners or requires prior sitting experience.