Every year Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, a monastery located in a remote part of the Ventana Wilderness east of Carmel Valley,
provides an opportunity for sanghas to practice together as part of the Guest Practice Program during the summer guest season. Teachers from sanghas from the Suzuki Roshi lineage
can bring a group of up to 10 members
including the teachers.
There will be three groups from BZC
attending this year: Ryushin Andrea Thach and Dave Rutschman will be leading the first group for the week of July 15–20; Susan
Marvin and Ellen Webb will be leading the second group for the week of July 29–August 3; and Gerry Oliva and Mary Duryee will lead the third group for the week of September 2–7.
The daily program includes 5:50 a.m. zazen, 6:50 service, 7:15 soji (short work period), 7:30 breakfast with other guest students, 8:30–12:00 work assignments, and noon lunch with other students. The rest of the day will be structured by each study group, then we will join the guests for dinner and sit the final zazen period of the day.
The groups plan to drive down together if possible. If we can’t drive all the way to Tassajara because of parking constraints,
there is a stage from Jamesburg to the Center for $65.00 round trip.
If you are interested in participating, please let the group leaders know by the end of March. You can find contact information for all the teachers on the BZC website under the Teachers tab if you would like more information or are interested in participating.