STO/ASZC FALL RETREAT is an annual retreat emphasizing Zen meditation along with a series of daily talks about our Lineage and Legacy from our Founder, Rev. Soyu Matsuoka, Roshi. The schedule wraps around all regular ASZC programs such as Newcomer Workshop (Wed 7:30-8:30pm); ASZC Music Program (Thu evening); Just Sit Saturday (9:00am-Noon); Morning Meditation (M-F 6:00-7:00am); as well as Sunday Morning Meditation and Heart Sutra Service (9:00am-Noon); so as not to disrupt regular attendance.
2023 marks the 12th anniversary of our annual retreat, believe it or not! Everyone is welcome to attend online, as well as in person where possible. Please take this yearly opportunity to join with other members of our far-flung Affiliates and members at large, in an intensive retreat (sesshin).
This year, we will focus on the Wisdom, Warmth, and Wit of our root teacher and lineage Founder, Matsuoka Roshi. We have lined up a variety of speakers who had the good fortune to meet and practice with O-Sensei in person and who will share his teachings and personal anecdotes of his compassionate spirit — including his insistence that “Zen is for everyone” and his prediction that genuine Zen will find its rebirth in America.
The Silent Thunder Order (STO, Inc. 2011) is comprised of disciples and priests trained under our guiding teacher, Zenkai Taiun Elliston Roshi, in the STO/Mokurai tradition established by Matsuoka Roshi. The Atlanta Soto Zen Center (ASZC, Inc. 1977) constitutes our Training Center and Headquarters. Both exist to support the needs of our Practice Leaders and to serve their communities (sanghas), a network of independent Affiliated Zen groups and centers.
We look forward to gathering with you for this annual retreat. It represents a precious opportunity, not to be missed, to revitalize your own Zen practice.
Please join us for zazen, engaging in dialog with members of our thirteen affiliate sanghas, as well as listening to, and deepening our understanding of, the Dharma. Please watch for future notices of more details on speakers. During the Thursday evening dharma talk time we will enjoy music from local artists.
Click Here for the Daily Schedule
Speaker Roster/Schedule
Suggested Fees: $75 per day or $250 for the entire retreat (3.5 days). Or pay what you can afford if you are a student or are under other financial constraints (fees are also waived for certain in-kind donations). You are welcome to attend any part or all of the retreat, determining your own fee on the honor system.
Zoom Meeting Link for Wednesday Through Saturday
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84758672231?pwd=YzhGMFkxbXBFblBQcEg4VFhKd3p1QT09
Zoom Meeting Link for Sunday
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/306596861?pwd=QlZzOElqeGlFMmRueTQ2OUlORlZmQT09
For more information, please contact our Abbot @ [email protected]
