Is it possible to stay in the Zen hermitage?
Practicing in the Zenklause for a few weeks is possible in the same way as staying overnight at events.
A Overnight stay in the dojo (on zabutons or on a sofa bed), in a shared room and in your own small tent (2-3 Persons) is possible, you can rent also a room from the neighbor. Or you can rent accommodation nearby, for example, through Airbnb. The nearest accommodation options are listed here:
https://www.airbnb.de/rooms/1072964881067338165?check_in
https://www.airbnb.de/rooms/810766344462002641?check_in
A longer stay is not possible in the Zen hermitage because it is too small. However, it is possible to participate in the daily practice.
The daily routine is divided between zazen, necessary community work, gardening, Dharma studies/discussions and encounters, and simply being in the wonderful nature of the Valais.
In this simple and profound life, far from the hectic world, one finds a return to natural joy and deep silence, to the true nature of our existence.
Every being or thing is naturally beautiful!
Who can come?
Anyone, young or old, who is willing to practice seriously at Sanko-an and devote their energy to daily practice is welcome. Please contact me.
Sanko-an Schedule (sample, may vary daily)
4:10 a.m. – 6:10 a.m. Zazen
7:00 a.m. – 7:15 a.m. Breakfast
7:15 a.m. Daily Meeting
7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Samu (also sewing)
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Chosan (formal tea/study)
11:00 a.m. Samu
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Samu (also sewing)
3:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Samu (also sewing)
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Study Time/Personal Work/Evening Discussion
8:00 PM Zazen/Naikan
9:30 PM Night Rest
Overnight accommodation in the dojo and tent on a dhana basis.
How much does the stay cost? How do you finance yourselves?
We are financed exclusively by donations (Dhana, Fuse). Please donate whatever you can. We have no financial interests beyond supporting Sanko-an! So if you have limited financial resources, don’t let that deter you from practicing with us. Food donations are also welcome. If you have more than sufficient financial resources, please feel free to donate more.
What should I wear?
Our dojo is not like a gym or training studio. It is a place of spiritual practice. When you come to Sanko-ji to practice, please wear modest, neutral clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. We avoid shorts to keep our cushions clean and free of body oils, and we avoid jewelry or odors that would distract others. We leave shoes and hats at the door; socks are only permitted in exceptional circumstances.
No special clothing is required for laypeople. Our sangha simply wears Western everyday clothing. Ordained sangha are welcome to wear their robes as they wish.
You may find it helpful to read our dojo guidelines.
I’m new to Soto Zen. What should I read?
“Opening the Hand of Thought” is a good place to start. It’s the basic textbook written by Kosho Uchiyama and published by Wisdom Publishing. German translation: Kōshō Uchiyama. Opening the Hand of Thought. Foundations of Zen Buddhism, Kriskeitz Publishing
While reading and studying are an important part of Zen, they alone are not enough. Regular participation in zazen, our sitting practice, is essential to truly understanding and embodying the Buddha’s teachings. Zen is not a philosophy or intellectual exercise; it is an intimate and exclusive practice—something we do. It is necessary to learn to sit with a human teacher and to practice with others, even if only occasionally.
The European Sanshin-ji Sangha
I come from another sangha. Can I come to Sanko-an for retreat?
Of course. Almost all sesshin participants at Sanko-an come from out of town. You won’t be joining a local community of practitioners who regularly practice together. You’ll be joining a pop-up community made up of practitioners from around the world within our sangha, gathered for the duration of the event. While local sangha members are of course welcome to attend sesshin, they don’t usually do so.
Can I drop by during sesshin and retreat for an hour or two of zazen without registering and paying for the entire event?
Yes! But only by arrangement.
What do I need to do to prepare for sesshin at Sanko-an?
If you’ve sat at another Dharma center, you’ll probably find that the Zen cloister style is much less complex yet more intense. The day consists exclusively of fourteen 50-minute zazen periods, with three one-hour meal breaks and about six hours of sleep. (There is no liturgy, no dokusan, no work period, no Dharma talk.) We don’t try to replicate life in a Japanese training temple. We simply sit.
There is an opportunity, just before the sesshin begins, to discuss sanko-an forms and customs with an experienced practitioner. If you aren’t used to sitting for 50 minutes, try aMany of you will be able to sit for longer than you thought. During sesshin, you can certainly move from cushion to bench to chair and back again as your body requires, and many people do. If you need to take a break to rest, you can. This type of sesshin is not intended to be a harsh, intimidating, or ego-driven ordeal—as Okumura Roshi says, “Our practice is not torture.” It is designed to create a container in which we can set aside absolutely everything else and focus solely on sitting in silence. For this reason, it is a rare opportunity.
Do I need to bring an oryoki set?
Yes, of course, but we usually only eat with a bowl.
If I’m tired, can I skip parts of the day to get more sleep?
It’s probably safe to say that no one gets enough sleep during sesshin. A glance at the daily schedule will show you that you will receive a maximum of six hours per night. If your roommate snores, if you’ve crossed time zones, if you suffer from insomnia, or if you don’t sleep well while away from home, you will experience additional fatigue. Generally, you can set aside any expectations of being well-rested during sesshin.
How much of the sesshin you miss to take a nap is your decision. However, if you don’t have a tent or a car, you won’t have anywhere to sleep during the day in Sanko-an.
Can I come to Sanko-an to take refuge in the Three Treasures—Jukai?
Yes.
I live too far from Sanko-an to practice there regularly. Do you offer distance learning or consulting?
Yes.
Can one of the leaders or you visit our center to teach?
Yes, please contact us. (Contact)