I, together with all beings and the great earth, awaken! — the Buddha
Bodhi Day, or Rohatsu, is celebrated every December 8 in the Zen tradition, marking the Buddha's enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. To honor this, it is customary to sit zazen late into the night, chanting the Heart Sutra at midnight.
We are excited for our sanghas to join together for this special event. The evening begins with apotluck dinner and social time at 5:00 pm, followed by a Dharma Talk from Kisei at 6:00. Zazen will start at 7:00, with 50 -minute sitting periods and a bell at the halfway point for adjustment, followed by 10 minutes of kinhin. Each period begins at the top of the hour, and attendees may come and go as needed.
At 9:00, we’ll pause for a short formal tea service and a break before beginning the final stretch at 10:00, sitting until midnight. We’ll conclude with a chanting of the Heart Sutra in Japanese, celebrating the Buddha’s awakening under the morning star.
Please RSVP below to let us know you are coming. Part time attendance is welcome. We will send a follow-up email with additional details as the event date approaches.
Schedule
Dinner and Social Time 5P
Dharma Talk 6P
Zazen 7P
Walking Meditation 7:50P
Zazen 8P
Walking Meditation 8:50
Zazen 9P
Tea + Break 9:30P
Zazen 10P
Walking Meditation 10:50P
Zazen 11P
Heart Sutra + Ending Ceremony