Upcoming events at the Zen Buddhist Temple of Chicago

Upcoming sesshin, special services, and other events:

• Thursday March 6th 7:30pm to Sunday March 9th noon - Three-day O-Higan sesshin at Rev. Ericksen's house in Northbrook.



• Sunday March 23rd 10:00am to noon - O-Higan special service, featuring a special talk. Please join us at a local restaurant for lunch afterwards.



• Sunday March 23rd 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Introduction to Zen Meditation workshop at the Temple.



• Saturday April 5th 10:00am - A new Tai Chi Chuan class will begin on April 5th. The class will meet every Saturday morning at 10:00am.



• Saturday April 5th 12:30pm to 10:30pm - One-day sesshin at the Temple.



• Sunday April 20th 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Introduction to Zen Meditation workshop at the Temple.



• Sunday April 27th 10:00am to noon - Hanamatsuri special service, featuring a special talk. Please join us at a local restaurant for lunch afterwards. The 2:00pm service will be cancelled on this day.



• Saturday May 3rd 12:30pm to 10:30pm - One-day sesshin at the Temple.



• Sunday May 18th 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Introduction to Zen Meditation workshop at the Temple.



• Thursday June 12th 7:30pm to Sunday June 15th noon - Three-day Kongo Roshi sesshin at Rev. Ericksen's house in Northbrook.



• Sunday June 22nd 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Introduction to Zen Meditation workshop at the Temple.



• Saturday July 12th 12:30pm to 10:30pm - One-day sesshin at the Temple.



• Sunday July 20th 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Introduction to Zen Meditation workshop at the Temple.



• Saturday August 2nd 12:30pm to 10:30pm - One-day sesshin at the Temple.



• Sunday August 10th 10:00am to noon - Obon special service, featuring a special talk. Please join us at a local park for a picnic lunch afterwards. The 2:00pm service will be cancelled on this day.



• Sunday August 17th 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Introduction to Zen Meditation workshop at the Temple.



• Saturday September 6th 12:30pm to 10:30pm - One-day sesshin at the Temple.



• Sunday September 21st 10:00am to noon - O-Higan special service, featuring a special talk. Please join us at a local restaurant for lunch afterwards. The 2:00pm service will be cancelled on this day.



• Sunday September 28th 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Introduction to Zen Meditation workshop at the Temple.



• Saturday October 4th 12:30pm to 10:30pm - One-day sesshin at the Temple.



• Sunday October 19th 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Introduction to Zen Meditation workshop at the Temple.



• Sunday October 26th 10:00am to noon - Kongo Roshi Memorial Observance special service.



• Thursday November 6th 7:30pm to Sunday November 9th 12:00 noon - Three-day Founders sesshin and Matsuoka Roshi Memorial Observance at Rev. Ericksen's house in Northbrook.



• Sunday November 23rd 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Introduction to Zen Meditation workshop at the Temple.



• Saturday December 6th 12:30pm to 10:30pm - One-day sesshin at the Temple.



• Sunday December 14th 10:00am to noon - Bodhi Day special service, featuring a special talk. Please join us at a local restaurant for lunch afterwards. The 2:00pm service will be cancelled on this day.



• Sunday December 21st 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Introduction to Zen Meditation workshop at the Temple.

We host meditation retreats (sesshin) on a monthly basis. One-day retreats are typically held at the Temple on the first Saturday of the month and last from 12:30pm to 10:30pm, with breaks for mindful work and a meal. More intensive three-day retreats are held several times each year, usually at a priest's or disciple's home, and last from 7:30pm Thursday night until noon on Sunday.

Sesshin is a vital part of a Zen Buddhist's spiritual training. It affords the opportunity for intensive zazen, thus deepening and strengthening one's meditation practice. Everyone is welcome to attend and we encourage your participation regardless of your level of experience in practicing zazen. Although we strongly encourage everyone to attend the entire sesshin, please join us to the fullest extent that your schedule allows.

If you have any questions regarding these events, please call us at 847-272-2070 or e-mail us for more information.