August Sessions 2025

3 SESSIONS : 

• The session Great Sangha : from July 30 juillet to August 7
• Session led by Roland Yuno Rech : from August 10 to 18
• Session led by Gérard Chinrei Pilet :from August 21 to 29

Daily Zen practice during the August sessions

Summer is a natural time for spiritual retreats. Withdrawing from the habits of daily life can often open up a new way of looking at the world, by meditating in a Buddhist temple.

Each session is divided as follows: 5 days of preparation, 1 day of rest and 2 and a half days of sesshin (intensive retreat). 

A day at a Zen monastery is based on the practice of zazen, sitting meditation. This is the practice through which the historical Buddha achieved enlightenment 2,600 years ago. Depending on the period, there are three or four zazen sessions a day. Zen meditation is practiced on a zafu (meditation cushion). Chairs are also available if required. The daily program also includes teachings, ceremonies, silent meals and samu (community service). Time is also set aside for relaxation and conviviality.

WELCOMING BEGINNERS

Throughout August, each session offers a special welcome for beginners to the practice. Posture explanations, dedicated workshops and discussion sessions are all on offer.

ACCOMODATION

Different types of accommodation are available, depending on price: in tents, dormitories, 4/5-person rooms, double or single rooms. Whatever your type of accommodation, we strive to make it as comfortable as possible.

1 - LA SESSION GREAT SANGHA

This session, run on a collegiate basis, encourages the various sanghas of the AZI to come together, offering different expressions of teaching. Each day, a different teacher leads, allowing for a diversity of approaches. The theme of this year's teaching is repentance, and will be accompanied by a Ryaku Fusatsu training and ceremony.

The session will be led by the abbot of the Gendronnière temple, Guy Mokuho Mercier, and by European teachers: Begoña Kaidô Agiriano, Konrad Tenkan Beck, Konrad Kosan Maquestieau and Judith Taiku Morales. 

2 - SESSION LED BY ROLAND YUNO RECH

Roland Yuno Rech was ordained as a monk by Master Deshimaru in 1974, of whom he was a close disciple. In 1984, he received Dharma transmission from Niwa Zenji. From 1982 to 1994, he was president of the AZI and helped found the Union Bouddhiste de France in 1986. He is abbot of the Gyobutsuji temple in Nice and runs sesshins throughout Europe, including at La Gendronnière, where he was abbot for three years. He is the author of numerous works on Zen Buddhism.

3 - SESSION LED BY GÉRARD CHINREI PILET

Gérard Chinrei Pilet has been practising zazen since meeting Master Deshimaru in 1969. He moved to Paris in 1974 to practice with his master, from whom he received his monk's ordination in 1978. After Master Deshimaru's death in 1982, he taught Dharma at the Paris Zen Dojo until 2010. In that year, he moved to the Ardèche and founded the Annonay Zen Dojo, while continuing to lead practice sessions in France and Europe. He received Dharma transmission from Yuko Okamoto Roshi.

HOW AND WHEN TO ARRIVE? 

In August, the retreats last 9 days. Arrival around 6 p.m. the day before, departure around 3 p.m. on the last day, after the temple has been tidied up.

‘Preparation’ lasts for the first 5 days and includes 3 meditation sessions a day. It is followed by a day of rest.

The last three days, known as ‘sesshin’, consist of 4 zazen sessions a day.

It is possible to come just for the preparation or for the sesshin: arrive around 6 p.m. the day before and leave around 3 p.m. on the last day of the retreat, after the temple has been tidied up.

Beginners must arrive by 6 p.m., with a welcome conference at 7 p.m. Please plan your arrival accordingly.

RATES

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

IF YOU ARE ARRIVING BY TRAIN: there is a free shuttle service between Onzain station and La Gendronnière. If you are interested, please mention it in the ‘remarks’ section when you register.

TO REGISTER

To register, go to THE REGISTRATION PAGE

You can also download the visual of the sesshin, below