Zazen Gatherings:
Open to all. Endless Mountain Zendo offers a schedule of zazen (Zen meditation) during non-retreat times. Doing zazen on a daily basis is the foundation of a Zen student's practice life and sitting with others is inspiring and helps to stabilize our practice. Please arrive a few minutes before starting time to be seated in the zendo before the period begins. For zazen attire, a formal zazen robe or blousy/loose clothing in solid subdued neutral colors (long pants or long skirt) is recommended. No tank tops, shorts, clinging fabrics, or fragrances please. The zendo tends to be chilly in fall/winter. Open Donation Basket. (Members: Free)

For first time visits, Sunday zazen gatherings are especially recommended.

Days and times may vary in accordance with zendo programs. If you wish to attend, please call us at 570-925-5077 or e-mail: endless@epix.net  

 

Beginner's Zen:

EMZ offers a choice of events and zazen instruction for beginning students. Please click on Beginner's Zen to visit the page to learn about this year's seminars, classes and weekends for beginners.

One-Day Sittings:
Feb. 9 Nirvana One-Day Sitting; May 25 Global Relief Benefit to Oxfam; Dec. 13. A one-day silent zazen retreat with chanting, several periods of zazen, kinhin walking, prostrations, samu work practice, Dharma talk, vegetarian lunch and tea.  For those who have yet to attend sesshin (zazen retreat), one-day sittings are a step to take in that direction. Optional prior night arrival for a 6 p.m. light supper and evening and dawn zazen. Full Day: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.: $35. (members: $30.). Morning with lunch: 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Open Donation Basket.  Prior night arrival: $15.
Global Benefit One-Day Sitting: Day’s collected donations will go to “Oxfam’s” global efforts to relieve hunger, poverty, and suffering. Come sit or sponsor by sending a donation check to Endless Mountain Zendo and we will send it to Oxfam.

Sesshin:  Literally translates as “to collect the mind,” [into a continuous meditative stream]. A time of seclusion to devote oneself fully to intensive zazen practice. Highly recommended for the serious study of Zen. Participants reside at the zendo, keep silence and follow a rigorous schedule of zazen, along with chanting, prostrations, walking, work practice, Dharma talks, Dharma meetings, and vegetarian meals.  Begins 5:30 p.m. opening night with a light supper.  Pre-requisite: Prior zazen experience. Sesshin is a challenge; a clear and dedicated commitment to complete the sesshin from beginning to end is essential.
Weekend Sesshin: Ends 5 p.m. last day.  $150. (members: $135.).
Weeklong Sesshin: Ends by 10:30 a.m. on last Sunday; or 5:30 p.m. on last Saturday.  $350. (members: $315.)
Soen Roshi Weekend Sesshin: Mar. 7-9, 2008.
Spring Sesshin: Apr. 5-12, 2008.
Summer Weekend Sesshin: Jul. 11-13, 2008.
Obon Sesshin: Aug. 9-16, 2008.
Thanksgiving Jukai Sesshin: Nov. 8-16, 2008.
Rohatsu Sesshin: Jan. 17-25, 2009.The most intensive and joyous 8-day sesshin of the year, celebrating Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment. Rohatsu offers an exceptionally rigorous schedule of zazen practice. Ends 10:30 a.m. on last morning.  $375. (members: $335.)

Nature Walk & Zen Introductory: May 31, 2008. Both nature studies walk and silent meditative walk along Atta Dipa Trail on the Endless Mountain Zendo’s 18 acres, with an introduction to the Zendo and Zen Buddhist practice, zazen meditation instruction, zazen, a talk, question and answer period, vegetarian lunch and tea. 9:45 am – 4:30 p.m.  $45.

Sangha Work Weekend: Jun. 6-8, 2008. An intensive work weekend. Lots of hard work followed by informal Sangha time in the evenings. This overnight weekend also includes optional zazen and delicious vegetarian meals. Begins Friday evening with supper and ends on Sunday after lunch. Vegetarian food offerings are welcome. Open Donation Basket.

Obon Floating Lantern Ceremony: Aug. 9, 2008. Open to the public. Evening Obon Buddhist ceremony of remembrance and celebration of deceased friends and family.  Short zazen, walking meditation, chanting service and calling of the names by participants, painting and floating of lanterns in the night’s stream, and enjoyment of refreshments. If you wish to bring a framed photo of someone who has died, it will be placed on the altar for the ceremony. Vegetarian snack offerings welcome. Open Donation Basket.

10th Anniversary Sangha Gathering: Sun., Sep. 21, 2008. The whole sangha and friends are urged to gather together at Endless Mountain Zendo on the occasion of its 10th anniversary year since opening its doors on September 24, 1998. This day event will include zazen, a ceremony, and a celebration meal. Open Donation Basket.
 

Thanksgiving Food Drive: Oct. 5 – Nov. 16, 2008. The Sangha is invited to bring canned and packaged food which will be offered to those in need in the local community through the “Bloomsburg Food Cupboard”, which partners with the “Share the Harvest” food drive program of Bloomsburg University.

One-Month Kessei: Oct. 18 - Nov. 17, 2008. Kessei is a time to fully immerse in Zen training, through present mindedness in formal practice and daily activities. It dates back from the time of Shakyamuni Buddha and his students, who would settle in one place to practice during the rainy season. The kessei program at Endless Mountain Zendo grows out of a training model based in the Zen monastic tradition. It includes following a daily schedule of zazen, chanting, walking, work practice, tending to practical matters, one-on-one Dharma meetings with Genro; and completes with the Thanksgiving Jukai Sesshin. Group practice, the support and effort of fellow students, is also a strong element in kessei. Participants engage fully in the daily schedule and program.
Full Kessei: (including sesshin) $600.  (members: $540.)  Make special application to Endless Mountain Zendo.
Part-time Kessei: (non-sesshin) per night/ $50. (members: $45.), per week/ $275. (members: $245.)
 

Jukai Ceremony: Literally means to receive the lay Buddhist precepts. During this ceremony a formal vow is made to follow the Way of Buddha Dharma. Those wishing to receive jukai, may send a formal letter of request to Genro, at Endless Mountain Zendo by Oct. 15. The letter should include practice history and why you want to receive jukai.  A letter of response will then be sent to you, with particulars as appropriate.
Pre-requisites: Minimum two years of consistent practice, and 2 weeklong sesshins. Requirements: To complete the entire Thanksgiving Jukai Sesshin, Nov. 8-16, 2008, which will conclude with the Jukai Ceremony; make or purchase a zazen robe and rakusu (representing the early Buddhist vestment); and make a formal jukai offering to Endless Mountain Zendo.
 

New Year's Eve Candlelight Ceremony & Celebration: Dec. 31, 2008. 7:45 p.m. till 2 a.m. All welcome! Strike the gong and offer incense. Zazen, walking meditation, Buddhist chanting & candlelight ceremony, New Year's address by Genro Milton Sensei. Japanese powdered green tea, sweets, and udon noodles served. Zazen instruction for beginners. Wear comfortable and loose pants or long skirt. Vegetarian snack offerings to share are welcome. Open Donation Basket.

Practitioner Overnight Stays: You are welcome to visit EMZ for a day or longer and participate in the daily practice schedule with the residents which include pre-dawn chanting, morning and evening zazen, work practice, and vegetarian meals. Suggested Donation: $50/night. (Members: $45/night)

What to Bring for Overnight: Sleeping bag or blanket, work clothes, appropriate clothing for outdoor walking, sturdy outdoor shoes and slip-on shoes, flashlight, unscented toiletries, and a formal zazen robe if you have one. No tank tops, shorts, clinging fabrics, or fragrances please. The zendo tends to be chilly in fall/winter. Soap/towels provided.

 

For event registration please call 570-925-5077 or e-mail: endless@epix.net and send a deposit or full donation amount to: Endless Mountain Zendo, 104 Hollow Rd., Stillwater, Pa. 17878.

 

 

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