Buddha’s Enlightenment Vigil
with Ryushin Osho

Vigil

After he left the home in which he was raised, Shakyamuni Buddha studied with spiritual teachers across northern India in an effort to resolve his questions about life and death. But even after six years of ascetic practices, he remained unsatisfied. One evening, he remembered the simple joy he had experienced sitting at the foot of a tree as a child. He sat down at the base of a bo tree, took the zazen posture, and resolved not to rise until he had settled his questions. That morning, upon seeing the morning star, he realized anuttarasamyak-sambodhi, supreme perfect enlightenment.

At Zen Mountain Monastery, we celebrate the Buddha’s enlightenment with a two-day vigil dedicated to the simple yet profound practice of zazen, which Dogen Zenji called the “dharma gate of ease and joy.” We’ll begin after supper Thursday evening with introductory remarks by Ryushin Osho. Then, we’ll mark the Buddha’s enlightenment by sitting together through the long winter the following nights and days. In the spirit of hermitage practice, participants will be invited to sit or rest at their own pace. A buffet table will be available in the dining hall for meals. Green tea will be offered during the night sitting.

The vigil will culminate Saturday afternoon at 4:00 pm with a formal service. There will then be a short period for rest and clean-up, followed by supper. We’ll finish off the day with a mondo, or informal question-and-answer session, led by Ryushin Osho.

Cost: $200 (MRO Students $150)
Retreat Dates: Dec 4-7
Course: ZEN08C1
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