Especially recommended for beginners

Gyôji translates as “uninterrupted practice (Gyô) (ji)”. It’s the concentration and full presence of zazen, maintained in all daily activities.

These Gyôji weeks take place throughout the year (see our calendar) and are led by numerous teachers from the great sangha.

It’s an opportunity for practitioners to experience the Sôtô Zen tradition within a Buddhist community, and to perpetuate what Taisen Deshimaru passed on when he founded the Gendronnière Zen Temple.

Activities during the week

Daily life revolves around morning and evening zazen sessions.
Samu, community service, involves construction and renovation work, vegetable gardening and forest maintenance (depending on the season), housework, cooking and kesa sewing.

One-day program

• 6:30 a.m.: zazen, ceremony
• 8:30 a.m.: genmai (traditional breakfast), coffee
• 10:30 a.m.: samu
• 1:00 p.m.: lunch, rest
• 15:00 p.m.: samu
• 18:00 p.m.: zazen
• 20:00 p.m.: dinner, rest

THE ARRIVAL

Gyoji weeks run from Tuesday to Sunday. Arrival is the day before, on Monday evening before 5pm. 

A free shuttle service to La Gendronnière is available from Onzain station for trains arriving at 3.45pm (except Saturdays). For other arrival times, the shuttle bus costs €5. Please let us know your choices when you register.

RATES

Rates are €25/night for a 4- or 5-person room, with the option of sleeping in a dormitory for a lower rate, or in a double or single room for a higher rate.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

To find out : 

• What to bring
• Information on what to wear
• Accommodation
• Access to La Gendronnière temple

Please read the PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE

TO REGISTER

To register, go to THE REGISTRATION PAGE

You can also download the visual of the sesshin, below