One day Buddhist meditation and practice retreat - Shikankai - August 2026

Join us for our Shikankai - a one-day meditation retreat on the ancient Chinese & Japanese Buddhist practice of the Shikan mediation form.
About this Event

Shikankai - One day Buddhist retreat

Join us for a peaceful day of self-reflection and tranquility at the Ryusenji (Dragon Spring Temple). Shikan meditation, rooted in the teachings of Zhiyi, the fourth patriarch of the Tiantai Buddhist school in China, integrates two key aspects: "shi" and "kan". "Shi" refers to calming or stopping the mind, a form of samatha meditation, which focuses on developing tranquility and concentration. "Kan" involves vipassana meditation, aimed at discerning the real or seeing the true nature of reality, fostering deep insight and understanding. Together, shikan embodies a comprehensive approach to meditation, harmonizing the practices of concentration and insight for a holistic spiritual development.
For the next several Shikankai, we will focus on Bodhisattva Practices. This will be a series of shikankai and Dharma talks devoted to embodying the Mahayana path in the midst of ordinary life. Grounded in Tendai teachings, we will explore how meditation, wisdom, ethical conduct, and compassionate activity mutually illuminate one another. Through the practice of shikan, reflection on the Dharma, and life in sangha, we learn to recognize that each moment contains the possibility of awakening. Our practice is not for ourselves alone, but is offered for the liberation and well-being of all beings.