Long-term retreats

At certain times in our lives, it can be very beneficial to take a break and withdraw from the world.

Throughout the year, La Gendronnière offers the opportunity to come and take part in a retreat of varying lengths at the temple in order to share the life of the monks and nuns.

It allows the practitioner to:

• discover or deepen the practice of zazen, Zen meditation (morning and evening)
• participate in monastic life by following precise timetables (see below)
• receive teachings from various masters of the International Zen Association
• be involved every day in samu, the voluntary activities for the community (cooking, gardening, cleaning, etc.)
• participate in various Zen Buddhist rituals such as morning ceremonies, oryokis (meals taken in silence in bowls) or chosan (questions and answers with the teacher)

La Gendronnière, a meeting place for the sanghas

Once a month or so, a Zen master from the International Zen Association comes to lead a sesshin (intensive meditation retreat). This is an opportunity for long-term retreatants to meet different teachers and to benefit from different perspectives on the Way of Zen.

La Gendronnière, an international temple

Although the language spoken on site is mainly French, many nationalities are present, providing the opportunity for very enriching intercultural encounters. We always endeavour to translate the information according to the nationalities present on site.

A place to learn to live together

The Zen tradition is characterised by working together, in interdependence, learning to overcome our limitations and/or preconceived ideas. This learning can be done by everyone paying close attention to evolving together.

The content of the days

6am: wake up

6.30am-7.05am: zazen (seated Zen meditation)

7.05am-7.15am: kinhin (walking meditation)

7.15am-7.40am: zazen then kaijo (traditional sounds)

7.45am-8.15am: ceremony

8.20am: procession

8.30am: genmai (traditional morning meal in silence) + coffee/tea

9.45am-12.30pm: samu (communal or individual with break)

13:00: silent meal

14:45-17:00: samu, teachings, initiations

18:00: zazen + kaijo

19:30: informal meal

21:30: bedtime or personal study

Registration

To register, please contact the office: lagendronniere@zen-azi.org

Prices

• One night (sami, accommodation and meals included): 25 € / night
• One week (excluding sesshin or other activities): 155 € / 109 € (students and unemployed)
• One month (including sesshin or other activities): 450 € for the first month, 350 € for the following months

IMPORTANT

• To stay at the La Gendronnière temple, it is necessary to join the AZI association at the annual rate of 45 €
• Accommodation, meals and teachings are included in the proposed rates.

Possibility of working outside

If you do not have a regular income (salary, pension, family support, other...) and wish to stay at the temple for a long period, it is possible to take a small paid job outside, for 1 or 2 days a week, or to take a few weeks off for a specific job before returning.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

To find out about

• What to bring
• Information about dress code
• Accommodation
• Access to the Gendronnière temple

Please read the PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE

Welcome booklet to download

You can download the WELCOME BOOKLET for first-time visitors to the Gendronnière (available in French and English)