There are several types of Zen activities offered in which visitors and students can participate. Below is a brief description of each. For more detailed information, including the schedule of upcoming events, please call, e-mail or write.

General Daily Practice

Daily practice revolves around meditation--in sitting, walking and working. It is a rigorous lifestyle. Monks and Nuns, staff and students rise early and engage themselves fully in these activities throughout the day. The daily life is meant to be calm yet engaged. Everyone practices together harmoniously as a group, yet everyone is recognized as a distinct individual. A typical daily schedule is as follows:

• 4:00 a.m. Rise
• 4:15 Chanting, Zazen (meditation)
• 6:30 Breakfast
• 8:15 Samu (work practice)
• 12:00 pm Lunch
• 2:00 Samu
• 4:30 Hot Pools or Showers
• 5:15 Dinner
• 6:30 Zazen
• 8:30 pm Kaichin (end of day)

This schedule varies depending on the Center's other activities. For example during Kessei periods, wake-up is usually at 3:00 am with the extra time being devoted to zazen (sitting meditation) and sanzen (private interview with Roshi). There are also short break periods interspersed in this schedule, usually after meals.

The Kitchen

Projects for samu (work meditation) are designed to be simple yet absorbing. Various jobs include cooking, gardening, building maintenance, housekeeping and sewing. There is normally one day a week of open schedule so that students can rest and take care of their personal needs. The cost for a working student residency is $300 a month, $100 a week or $20 a day.

A student application form is available here in Microsoft Word format. If you are interested in being a student, please download the form, print and complete the application and mail it to Bodhi Manda Zen Center. If you don't have Microsoft Word, a printed copy of the student application can also be mailed to you upon request. Please call, write or e-mail to request an application.

Visitor's Day
On most Sunday mornings the Center holds a Visitor's day program from 9:00 am to noon. The morning includes several periods of zazen (sitting Zen meditation) and lunch with the Bodhi staff. Sitting instruction is available for newcomers. Please call ahead to let us know you'll be coming.

Zazen-Kai
Periodically, weekend meditation zazen retreats are held starting 6:00 pm on a Friday and continuing until lunch on Sunday at noon. Suggested donation is $40 for members, $50 for non-members. Please call ahead to reserve a space.

Kessei
Kessei is a special time for putting aside the concerns of the everyday world to enter pure Zen practice. Kessei training periods are given at Bodhi Manda each spring and fall (typically April/May and October/November). The daily activities during Kessei are designed for deep manifestation and contemplation, especially week-long sesshins. Kyozan Joshu Roshi is scheduled to lead students in these training periods, his health permitting.

For student prices or other information please contact the Center. Please note that in order to reserve a space for any Sesshin or Kessei, a non-refundable deposit will be required. In cases of limited seating, priority will be given to full-time Kessei students.

Teishos (Dharma talks given by Roshi) are always open to the public. Suggested donation is $5 per person. Please call ahead to let us know you will be coming.

A formal Zen-style meal being served.