In this silent Zen retreat, we offer intensive Zen practice in Oberdürenbach, a lovely village in the beautiful Eifel region. We stay at Haus Königssee, a comfortable guest house with an intimate zendo and beautiful, spacious rooms.
Sesshin literally means ‘gathering the heart/mind’. A sesshin is an intensive multi-day Zen meditation retreat with a consistent schedule that creates a deep, quiet container for practice. Each day consists of sitting (zazen) and walking (kinhin) meditation, chanting (liturgy), meals, work practice (samu) and physical exercise. We observe silence throughout and support each other in quiet, whole-hearted practice.
teachings first week July 3-9 in Dutch
with Frank Roshi
Zazen – the heart of Zen
*
teachings second week July 10-16 in English
Frank Roshi and Mushin Sensei
On koan
The first week of the retreat will be lead by Frank Roshi in Dutch reviewing the basics of zazen.
The second week Roshi and his wife Mushin Sensei will teach together in English on koan from two different perspectives, namely Big Mind and the five Buddha families. They will focus on the experiential wisdom and the specific energy of different types of koans. Mushin Sensei will also facilitate the Big Mind process which frees the questioning mind and opens us to the full spectrum and depth of the contemplative koan practice.
Previous experience with koan is not required and both Sensei and Roshi will offer interviews.
On Saturday July 15, we will offer a teisho in English on Zoom at noon. That week you will find all the information about it on our home page.
You can participate for one or two weeks.
People new to the practice are very welcome! All newcomers will receive personal introductory instruction.
PRACTICAL
Start sesshin Monday afternoon July 3th at 6pm with a light supper.
End sesshin Sunday afternoon July 16th at around 3pm after clean up.
We will pick people up at the nearest train station (Sinzig) on Monday July 3 and July 10 at 3.15pm.
The trip back to the station can be arranged on site (see below).
There will be a break from Sunday afternoon July 9 to Monday evening July 10.
You can arrive on Monday afternoon July 3 and July 10 from 3pm onwards.
Address
Haus Königssee
Hauptstrasse 45
56651 Oberdürenbach (Eifel)
Germany
http://www.koenigssee-haus.de
Haus Königssee, our retreat location
Haus Königssee was the former ‘Dorfgaststätte’ (1893). The house was renovated in the early nineties in an ecological way into a charming and modern retreat house. It is located on the outskirts of the rural village of Oberdürenbach in the volcanic hills of the Eifel nature reserve.
Accomodation is in nice, comfortable single or double rooms, each with its own bathroom. There is room for up to 20 people.
In our sangha all meals are vegetarian, not vegan. If requested however, we can provide lactose- and gluten-free food. Indicate this at your registration. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate other dietary requirements.
Participation fee (everything included, except travel expenses)
One week (6 nights)
Zen Sangha members (costs-contributing) € 480
Other participants € 540
Two weeks (13 nights)
Zen Sangha members (costs-contributing) € 830
Other participants € 950
Costs-contributing Zen Sangha members are those who have paid the annual Zen Sangha membership fee and in addition have made an annual cost contribution.
Registration & Payment
To register, please mail to registratie@zensangha.be
You will receive a mail confirming your registration and some additional information. Then make your correct payment to the Zen Sangha bank account:
IBAN: BE81 8901 5424 8724
BIC: VDSPBE91
Please indicate clearly your own name + ‘sesshin Oberdürenbach 2023’ + which week.
Only upon receiving your payment is your registration valid.
For more information, mail to registratie@zensangha.be
Cancellation Policy
The cancellation fee is fifty euros and benefits our solidarity fund, with which we grant reductions to certain participants upon request.
Bring along
Loose (black) clothing, slippers, hiking clothes and possibly your own bench or sitting cushion (zafu).
Bring your own towels and sheets (i.e., pillowcase, duvet cover and bottom sheet). Sheets and towels can also be rented.
HOW TO GET THERE
By car
Take the motorway (A61) from Cologne to Koblenz to exit 32 Niederzissen. Then follow the
direction of Nürburgring until Niederdürenbach.
Outside this village, turn right in the direction of Oberdürenbach.
By train
In Köln Hbf you board the National Express RE 5 (28521) destination Koblenz Hbf at 3.32pm.
You arrive in Sinzig (Rhein) station at 4.19pm.
Our shuttle service awaits you at Sinzig station and takes you to Oberdürenbach (10km).
For a single shuttle ride (20km) we ask a contribution of € 5 per person. Our shuttle service will run only on Mondays July 3 and 10. The return journey to Sinzig can be arranged on site.
Reserve your shuttle at registration.
Dusk in Oberdürenbach
Schedule of the day
Zen meditation starts at dawn and is followed by breakfast. After the work meditation, there is again zazen, followed by a Zen talk. After lunch, a retreat day has two more periods of zazen. There is also a sutra liturgy and an informal dinner.
6:30 wake up
7:00 zazen
9:00 breakfast
10:15 work meditation
11:30 coffee and tea
11:45 zazen and zen teaching
13:15 lunch
lunch break
15:30 coffee and tea
16:00 zazen
17:50 sutra service
18:15 supper
20:00 zazen
21:10 four vows
The schedule is subject to change.
