Beginning with our usual Sunday Morning Retreat on November 30th, the Wallowa Buddhist Temple monks and a guest will hold a week of introspective silent practice known as the “Searching of the Heart Retreat” (Rohatsu Sesshin in Japanese). During this week we commemorate Shakyamuni Buddha’s inner search and Enlightenment together with all beings with the traditional seven days of meditation and practice, celebrating the Buddha’s Enlightenment during our regular Sunday Morning Retreat on December 7th.
Those who have received meditation instruction* are very welcome to join us for any or all of our daily Mid-Day Service & Meditation, from Monday through Friday of this week (December 1st through 5th), 3:00 to 3:30 pm. Mid-Day Service is a simple, seated, spoken recitation of Dogen’s Rules for Meditation, followed by a short period of seated meditation. We will offer brief instruction at the start of the service for those unfamiliar with our Sōtō Zen ceremonial. Bring reading glasses if you need them. If you have not yet attended any of our Daily Office ceremonies, Mid-Day Service is a good introduction.
Week of Buddha’s Enlightenment Nov 30 – Dec 7 at Wallowa Buddhist Temple:
Sunday Nov 30 9:30 am to 11:30 am Sunday Morning Retreat Searching of the Heart
Monday Dec 1 3:00 to 3:30 pm Mid-Day Service & Meditation
Tuesday Dec 2 3:00 to 3:30 pm Mid-Day Service & Meditation
Wednesday Dec 3 3:00 to 3:30 pm Mid-Day Service & Meditation
Thursday Dec 4 3:00 to 3:30 pm Mid-Day Service & Meditation
Friday Dec 5 3:00 to 3:30 pm Mid-Day Service & Meditation
Saturday Dec 6 8:00 am to 3:30 pm Day Retreat (includes 3 to 3:30 pm Mid-Day Service & Meditation)
Sunday Dec 7 9:30 am to 11:30 am Sunday Morning Retreat Buddha’s Enlightenment
You are welcome to call the temple at 541-432-6129 with any questions you may have.
Please note that within the week-long Searching of the Heart Retreat, on Saturday December 6th our monthly Day of Serene Reflection will take place as usual, with Mid-Day Service & Meditation included. (It is fine to come only for Mid-Day Service & Meditation at 3 pm, on Saturday.) Layered clothing and warm socks are encouraged for the meditation hall.
During this retreat week, we would ask that you kindly plan to arrive a few minutes early, maintain silence as much as possible while on temple grounds, and stay through the whole of each scheduled activity. The temple grounds can have snow even when lower elevations nearby do not, so please wear sturdy shoes with tread for ice and snow, and walk carefully.
At this time, we are not offering full- or partial-day participation options during the Searching of the Heart Retreat week, nor any online options.
From November 30th through December 7th, the monks will set aside activities unrelated to the retreat. Messages can be left at 541-432-6129 or by email, and thank you for your understanding if we delay responding until after the 8th of December unless you let us know your message is urgent.
Wishing you a Happy Buddha’s Enlightenment!
Warmly and in gasshō,
– The Monks
* Sōtō Zen meditation instruction from the monks takes about an hour and can be arranged by appointment. If you haven’t yet received this instruction and would like to attend any activities during this retreat, please get in touch to arrange a time to come by the temple in advance, and before November 30th.
top of page: Golden Buddha in Earth Witness, photo by Adele M. Buttolph