It begins with the weaving of thatch
surrounding a vacant space
wildflowers fall beyond a darkened door
inside is someone without schemes
entering existence without grabbing hold
looking at emptiness without analyzing…
Liu Tsung-yuan, trans. Red Pine
Sesshin is a luxurious time to act on Liu Tsung-yuan’s encouragement, breath by breath, in the morning and through the evening. There is no substitute for such dedicated time to foster the mind that nurtures and clarifies.
These retreats are rigorous and quite demanding. The non residential retreats consist of about 10 hours of zazen (sitting meditation) per day. They are silent except for the teacher’s daily teisho (dharma talk), and for dokusan (practice-related interview with the teacher). Online and part time attendance are welcome.
If you would like more information, or have no prior sesshin experience, feel free to contact us (ttsangha@gmail.com, 206-395-5226 to learn more.
Shorter zazenkais are held at Dharma Gate throughout the year to balance the longer and more strenuous spring and fall sesshins. See our Calendar for more information.
Non-Residential Sesshin with Lee Shields, September 12-19, 2026
Three Treasures Sangha typically sponsors two, seven-day sesshins each year. The upcoming retreat will be non-residential, held at our Seattle practice center.
Registration:
Registration and applications can be submitted online: Apply Online or by printing and mailing the form Download Application Form along with your check in USD for the full retreat fee (payable to Three Treasures Sangha) by August 15, 2026 to Three Treasures Sangha, PO Box 12542, Seattle, 98111, ttssangha@gmail.com, 206 395-5526.
Housing:
For Out of Towners: If you live outside Seattle and wish to attend this non-residential retreat, TTS has some housing options available. Contact us at TTSSangha@gmail.com. Arranging housing takes time; please let us know as soon as you can if you’d like to explore housing options.
Sesshin General Schedule:
Saturday, September 12
6:45 pm Gather in room and on Zoom
7:00 pm Zazen, kinhin
7:30 pm [Introductions, Cautions & Zoom ground rules.], kinhin, zazen
8:55 pm Four Infinite Vows
9:00 pm End of formal practice for the day
Sunday-Friday:
6:30-8:15 am Personal zazen
8:15 Samu / work period
8:55 Gather in person and on Zoom
9:00 Dai-o Kokushi: On Zen, Zazen
9:45 Sutras
10:15 Kinhin, zazen, dokusan with Lee
12:30 pm Prepare for lunch
12:40 Opening meal chant
12:55 Closing meal chant
2:25 Gather
2:30 Zazen, kinhin
3:00 Teisho / dharma talk
+3:45 Zazen, interviews with Madelon
4:50 Closing ceremony
5:10 End of formal practice for the day
7:30-9:00 pm Personal zazen
Saturday, September 19
6:30-8:15 am Personal zazen
8:15 Samu/ work period
8:55 Gather
9:00 Dai-o Kokushi: On Zen, zazen, kinhin,
9:45 Sutras
zazen, kinhin, dokusan/interviews
11:50 Closing ceremony
12:00 pm End of retreat