A Traditional Zen Retreat in the Heart of the Goldfields
Here Comes the Leisurely One, Walking the Way…
In the Shodoka we learn of the “leisurely one”, the person of mature, relaxed practice who walks the Way “beyond philosophy, not avoiding fantasy, not seeking truth.” Who is this leisurely one? Do you recognise them? And how might their walking be of benefit to this torn, broken and vulnerable world?
Sesshin is a rare chance to settle, touch and convey your own true nature in the company of dear sangha friends. The retreat offers zazen, sutras, teisho (dharma talks) and dokusan (personal interviews with the teacher, Kynan Sutherland Roshi). You are welcome to attend full time (Residential) or part-time (Non-residential). Whichever way you come, don’t miss this chance to touch the earth with your own two feet and walk the way of genuine equanimity.
NB. You must be a member of Castlemaine Zen to attend this retreat. If you are not already a member, please visit the Membership page.
THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL.
If you would like to join the waiting list we will contact you as soon as place becomes available.
Dates
Thursday August 22 (4.30pm) — Sunday August 25 (5.30pm)
Attendance
There are two ways to attend this sesshin: Residential and Non-residential.
Residential means camping onsite in one of the many flat campsites with your own tent, sleeping bag and mattress. The Residential timetable is 4.30pm-8.30pm (Thursday), 4.30am-8.30pm (Friday to Saturday), 4.30-5.30 (Sunday). Vegetarian breakfast, lunch and supper is provided.
Non-residential means you can sleep at home and drive in each day. The Non-residential timetable is 4.30pm-8.30pm (Thursday), 9am - 5.30pm (Friday to Sunday). Vegetarian lunch and supper is provided. You are welcome to stay on for the evening session if you decide to do so.
NB. Places are limited to 20 people so be sure to register early to secure your place.
Cost
Your place is secured as soon as we receive full payment. Refunds are available up to one week before sesshin begins.
Residential — $400 + Dana
Non-Residential— $300 + Dana
Concession rates and scholarships are available by request. If you are facing financial hardship please do not hesitate to our sesshin coodinator.
Dana
Dana is the ancient Buddhist practice of mutual support. It recognises that the dharma is freely offered by the teacher and sustained by those who value it. Kynan Sutherland Roshi offers himself wholeheartedly and you are invited to respond wholeheartedly with dana. Kynan does not receive a fee for his teaching but relies on the generosity of sangha members and the committee to continue his work. A dana bowl will be provided at sesshin for you to express your appreciation. Alternatively, you can contribute directly via EFT. Bank details will be provided on confirmation of your place.
Kynan Sutherland Roshi is a Zen Buddhist teacher based in Castlemaine, Victoria. He was authorised to teach by Susan Murphy Roshi in 2019 and received full dharma transmission in 2023. Since then he has led multiple events with Castlemaine Zen, Zen Open Circle, Mountains and Rivers Zen Group in Hobart, The Melbourne Zen Group and The Buddhist Library in Sydney. You can read more about Kynan’s appointment here.
Schedule
Please note that the indented sections in italics refer to Residential participants only.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON
4.30pm Arrive and set up
5.30pm Supper
6.00pm Work Meeting
7.00pm Zazen and Opening Words
7.30pm Guidelines
8.30pm Finish
FRIDAY TO SATURDAY
(Residential Only)
4.30am Rise
5.00am Zazen / Kinhin / Dokusan
7.00am Breakfast
9.00am Sutras
9.30am Zazen
10.00am Encouragement Talk
10.30am Outside Kinhin
11.00am Zazen
11.30am Lunch
12.00pm Break / Samu
1.30pm Zazen
2.00pm Teisho (Dharma Talk)
3.00pm Zazen / Kinhin / Dokusan
4.30pm Reading
5.00pm Supper
(Residential Only)
6.30pm Zazen
8.00pm Evening Ceremony
8.30pm Finish
SUNDAY
(Residential Only)
4.30am Rise
5.00am Zazen / Kinhin / Dokusan
7.00am Breakfast
9.00am Sutras
9.30am Zazen
10.00am Encouragement Talk
10.30am Outside Kinhin
11.00am Zazen
11.30am Lunch
12.00pm Break / Samu
1.30pm Zazen
2.00pm Teisho (Dharma Talk)
3.00pm Zazen
3.30pm Closing Ceremony
4.00pm Sharing Circle and Photo
5.00pm Finish and Informal Supper
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I attend if I’m an absolute beginner?
Sesshin is ideally suited to those with a few years of meditation experience. If you are new to Zen we suggest that you contact us first to arrange an orientation. The form may be different to what you’re used to, but if you join in wholeheartedly you will find it very rewarding.
What sort of orientation is offered?
There are a number of ways to access orientation for this sesshin. You can request an orientation at one of our regular Sunday sits. You can also visit our Orientation and Ritual and Form pages.
Are my dietary requirements accommodated?
All meals are vegetarian. We accomodate other dietary requirements as best we can, including gluten-free and lactose-free. If you have any dietary requirements that are important to observe, please include them in your sesshin registration form. They will be factored into our shopping and meal preparation.
Is this a silent retreat?
Yes. The retreat is silent, but there will be periods of shared chanting, sutra reading, dharma talks and interviews with the teacher.
What do I wear?
Loose, dark (preferably black) clothing is recommended, free from distracting patterns or logos. A woodfire heater will keep the dojo warm, but we recommend bringing several layers of clothing in case the weather gets cold.
What if I can’t make it on all four days?
Priority will be given to people attending full time. However, if you can only attend part time and would like to join our waiting list, please contact us. We will let you know as soon as possible if a space becomes available on your requested day.
How many people can attend?
We are limited to 20 participants at the Fryerstown School, so please register early to secure your place.
What about Covid?
Full refunds are offered up to one week before the event, regardless of your situation. However, we cannot guarantee a full refund after that because your money may have already been spent. Great care is taken to shop and cater to your particular needs, so we will refund you as best we can.
