Open Gate Zen Collective

Practice Period 2025

June 18th - July 27th

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 Huineng, our sixth Zen Ancestor Huineng is regarded as the founder of the "Sudden Enlightenment" Southern Chan school of Buddhism, which focuses on an immediate and direct attainment of Buddhist enlightenment. The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Ancestor, which is said to be a record of his teachings, is a highly influential text in the East Asian Buddhist tradition..

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 2025-2026 to continue exploring and studying Huineng'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 2025-2026 continuing exploring and study the Huineng'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: The Teachings of Huineng

Description:

Huineng (Hui-neng) (638—713)

“Because I was illiterate, I asked someone to read it. Once I heard it, I understood what was truly important, and I also composed a gatha. I asked someone who could write to write it on the west corridor wall so that I could reveal my mind. Unless you know your own mind, studying the Dharma is useless. But once you know your mind and see your nature, you understand what is truly important.”

“The mind is the bodhi tree

the body is the mirror’s stand

the mirror itself is so clean

dust has no place to land”

Please join us as we explore the sixth ancestor’s profound teaching.

The Platform Sutra.

June 24th 2025 and every Tuesday there after during our summer practice period.

Reading: The Platform Sutra (Teachings of Huineng) by Red Pine

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 Friday, June 21st 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:

$36- $108(Sliding Scale)

*Do Not includes Retreats.

Commitments:

Attend the Opening of the Practice Period on June 18th 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 24th

July 1st

July 8th

July 15th

August 26th

September 23rd

October 28th

November 18th

January 27th

February 24th

March 23rd

April 28th

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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