The Meal that is Just the Right Amount
The Teachings of Oryoki
with Ryushin Osho

Oryoki

Amidst Zen liturgy, oryoki, the formal silent meal taken during meditation intensives, is one of the richest and most subtle practice and training opportunities. It offers participants an entry point for appreciating the power and the relevance of liturgy. Oryoki highlights the teachings on generosity, interdependence, and gratitude. It connects us to the practice of having few desires for things we don’t have and knowing how to be satisfied with what we do have. It provides us with the possibility of training our mind to focus on relevant details without losing contact with our underlying open awareness. Its roots are entwined with the elegance of Japanese tea ceremony. “Just the right amount,” the translation of the word “oryoki,” challenges us to consider what “just the right amount” is in the various arenas of our lives.

This retreat is dedicated to investigating the form and the spirit of oryoki. We will go through a guided meal studying the formal details and their significance, and bring special attention to the teachings included in the meal gatha, the “grace” we offer before the meal. We will use oryoki as a starting point to look at the function and importance of liturgy, the relationship of giving and taking, the nature of desire and its fulfillment. And we will keep an eye how the practice of oryoki can inform our habits of food preparation, eating and sharing a meal with others outside the walls of the Monastery.

 

Cost: $300 (MRO Students $225)
Retreat Dates: Feb 13-15
Course: ZEN0922
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