Open Gate Zen Collective

Practice Period 2026

June 17th - July 26th

36 Day Practice Period.

The 36 day Practice Period is a beautiful reminder of our everyday life practice, showing how ordinary life can embody the way of a Buddha. This period marks our annual intensive practice session, during which we will delve into the teachings of Zen Master Dogen, The Tenzo Kyokun (Instructions for the Temple Cook) is one of Zen Master Dogen’s most intimate and practical teachings, written in 1237 for the cook at Koshoji monastery. In this remarkable text, Dogen reveals how the most ordinary activities—washing rice, preparing vegetables, serving meals—become the very ground of awakening when performed with complete presence and reverent care.

During this Practice Period, we intensify our daily practice by sitting zazen more frequently, attending classes, having private interviews with Sensei Shinzan, engaging in council practice, participating in a weekend retreat and precept ceremony, and culminating in a Zen Retreat Sesshin. Additionally, we will host seminars throughout the year 2026-2027 to continue exploring and studying Zen Master Dogen's teachings.

Participants will determine the level of their commitment and create their realistic schedules. We will support each other through a buddy system.

During a Practice Period, we intensify our daily practice by sitting zazen more frequently, studying in classes, having private interviews with Sensei Shinzan, engaging in council practice, a weekend retreat, precepts-ceremony and having a Zen Retreat Sesshin, also we will have seminars for the year 2026-2027 continuing exploring and study the Zen Master Dogen's Teachings. 

All participants will choose the level of their commitment. They are create their schedule, realistically. We will support each other through a buddy system.

Theme: How to Cook Your Life: From the Zen Kitchen to Enlightenment

Description:

Dogen Zenji (1200-1253)

During this Practice Period, we will explore how Dogen’s instructions to the temple cook illuminate the path of awakening available to us in every moment. We will discover that our daily activities—going to work, relationships with our co-workers, family and sangha—are not separate from the Buddha Way but are its very expression. Through our committed practice of caring for ourselves and our sangha, we will taste the intimacy of a practice that makes no distinction between the sacred and the ordinary.

Please join us as we explore the Instructions to the cook teachings.

June 23rd 2026 and every Tuesday there after during our summer practice period.

Reading: How to Cook Your Life: From the Zen Kitchen to Enlightenment by Kosho Uchiyama Roshi

Seminars on Tuesdays at 7 pm (In person & online) Dates:

Personal Commitment:

Our personal commitment will determine the fruitfulness of this practice period for each of us. Consider how you can deepen your practice. What will benefit you, your family, your sangha, and all beings? Challenge yourself to fully engage. Would you benefit from spending more time at OG Zendo, increasing your meditation sessions at home, delving deeper into dharma study, or making a more profound commitment to community service?

Please plan to join us for the Practice Period orientation on Wednesday, June 17th at 7 pm. During this session, we will explore together the components of a traditional practice period and discuss how to integrate them into our daily lives in the world.

Schedule:

OG Regular Schedule (Intro, Meditación en Español, 12 steps, ETC.)

Tuesday Through Friday, 6 am - 8 am

Tuesdays 7 pm Seminar/Class

Wednesday 7 pm - 9 pm (3 Sits)

Saturday 6 am - 8 am (3 Sits) or Retreat Schedule

Sunday  OFF

Donation:$40

Zen Weekend Retreat: $108 - $216 (Sliding Scale)

Sesshin: $225 -$450 (Sliding Scale)

*Financial Aid: Installment Payments/ Scholarships

Commitments:

Attend the Opening of the Practice Period on June 17th at 7pm

Commit to a daily sitting practice: sit twice a week or more

Come to the Dharma talks or listen to the podcast

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Attend seminars on Tuesdays
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Make at least 2 practice interviews with Sensei Shinzan

Talk and/or meet with your sangha partner at least three times

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Register for Zen Weekend Retreat
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Zen Retreat Sesshin
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Attend Jukai Ceremony
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Attend Council Saturday. 
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June 23rd

July 30th

July 7th

July 14th

August 25th

September 22rd

October 27th

November 19th

January 26th

February 23th

March 22rd

April 27th

Level 1 (Online Practice)

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Only Saturdays
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Attending seminars
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Sitting at home at least twice a week
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Council Practice
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Jukai Ceremony 
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Zen Weekend Retreat (Full/ Partial)
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Zen Retreat Sesshin (Full/ Partial)
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Levels of Comimment

Level 2 (Hybrid)

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Saturdays & Wednesdays Sits 
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Attending seminars
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Sitting at home at least 4 times a week
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Council Practice 
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Jukai Ceremony
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Zen Weekend Retreat (full)
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Zen Retreat Sesshin (Partial)
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Level 3 (In Person)

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Saturday & Wednesday Sits
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Attending seminars
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Sitting at home at least 5 times a week

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Morning Sits with OG Zendo Zoom
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Council Practice
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Jukai Ceremony
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Zen Weekend Retreat (Full)
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Zen Retreat Sesshin (Full)
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