Big Panda, Little Dragon: Vimalakirti in Today's World
Hosted by Facing the Mountain Zen Group at the beautiful Zephyr Point, located in Zephyr Cove, Lake Tahoe, CA. This retreat is open to all practitioners, regardless of experience level.
Presiding Teacher: Rev. Shinzan Sekibu Alice Tulloch (in the Soto Zen tradition)
The silent retreat begins Thursday evening, October 10 at 5pm and ends at noon on Sunday, October 13. Sitting periods will be 25-30 minutes long. Meals will be vegetarian, but not vegan. Lunch will be oryoki style. Dinner and breakfast will be a buffet.
Everyone is required to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and to complete a rapid test immeditately before the start of the event.
The per person cost, including lodging, meals, and facility fee is $325. A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your place. The full balance is due the registrar by September 1, 2024.
Registration
Application
Follow the link below and complete the online form. Once completed follow the instructions in the form to send your deposit to the registrar. After completing the application we will send you a follow up email to confirm.
Payment
Cost for the 4 day retreat is as $325
The number of rooms reserved for us is limited, so single occupancy may be limited. Single day attendance may be possible. Please address such requests to the registrar.
$100 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your place. The full balance is due the registrar by September 1, 2024.
General info and FAQs
We’re looking forward to your joining us for the 2024 Fall Zen Retreat. Here is some general information about the venue as well as some guidelines for your participation.
Arrival
Please plan to arrive between 3pm and 5pm on Thursday, October 10, 2024. Buffet dinner and social hour begins at 6pm in the main dining hall. Orientation will be 7pm. Please bring your personal seating to orientation. If you need to arrive after dinner, please let use know in advance.
Zephyr Point is located along the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe, about 45 minutes from the Reno airport. The address is 660 Highway 50, Zephyr Cove, NV 89448.
Health measures
We are taking steps to protect one another while we engage in our “calm abiding” retreat. Due to ongoing health concerns, all participants must be fully vaccinated and boosted for Covid-19. Please test yourself with an OTC Rapid Test 15 minutes before entering the building to register. You will be asked to show your vaccination card and the test cassette with a negative result. Hand washing and sanitizing will be routinely encouraged. Please report any symptoms arising during the retreat to the Sesshin Director or Ino. The group will decide together whether masking will be required indoors.
Things to bring
- Dark, loose-fitting clothes to wear in the Zendo
- Night clothes, toiletries, medicines
- Jacket, hat (depending on the weather, we are near the mountains so nights and mornings may be cold!)
- Comfortable slip-on shoes
- Your personal zafu, zabuton, seiza bench, and oryoki set (if you have them)
- Watch and alarm clock
- Flashlight
- Earplugs
- Lawn chair or yoga mat for outdoor sitting/activities
- Towels
Lodging include bed linens.
Silence
After orientation on Thursday evening, we will enter into silence until the Sunday Shosan ceremony. This is a rare opportunity to calmly abide within ourselves, to find out what lives beneath the noise of our everyday lives. Please leave electronic devices and reading material in your car. Avoid eye contact and whispered conversations. If you have a need, address your question to the Sesshin Director or Ino, outside the zendo or break room, in a low voice.
Twilight Porch Sitting
Our groups have especially enjoyed a nature practice which we call Twilight Porch Sitting. Be prepared by bringing whatever lawn chair or yoga mat that will make you comfortable outdoors in the late afternoon, weather permitting.
Work Practice
During work periods, be prepared for light zendo cleaning or grounds maintenance activities. A couple of people may be sewing Buddha’s Robe; they know who they are and should bring their sewing.