Please join us for work and meditationpractice at Hokyoji Retreat Center, nestled in the rolling hills of southern Minnesota. This practice is led by Dokai Georgesen, a dharma heir of MZMC's founding teacher, Dainin Katagiri Roshi. Dokai was active at the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center for many years, first as a student and then in a teaching role.

A day at Hokyoji begins with rising at 5 am. Two 30-minute periods of meditation are held in the morning, followed by a short service. There will be one three-hour work period in the morning and another in the afternoon; tasks include clearning and maintenance of the buildings and grounds, gardening, and occasional light construction. Two more periods of meditation are held in the evening.

Please note that the daily schedule differs during formal sesshins.

Meals are included, and breakfast is eaten formally using oryoki (traditional Japanese bowls). The diet is vegetarian and includes dairy products and eggs.

The retreat center's location is both serene and rustic. While running water and electricity are available, nature is the predominant force, with all of its quietude, beauty and hardships. Indoor accommodations are available for up to four people.

Fees are $25 per day. Practitioners should come prepared to participate in the full practice schedule. Please direct inquiries to Tim Burkett, MZMC's Head Teacher, at (612) 822-5313 or info@mnzencenter.org

What to Bring

Please pack as lightly as possible, as facilities are limited. You may sleep in the zendo or you may bring a tent to sleep in. If you bring a tent, bring a ground cloth for it. Each person has a small space in the men's or women's shower room for clothing, toiletries, etc.; please keep personal gear compact. A tent is useful for storing gear on longer stays even if you don't sleep in it.

The climate is very changeable at Hokyoji, in the Mississippi River valley. It can be quite cold in the mornings and very warm by afternoon. The weather is often cool and dry, but there will be some hot, humid days from June through September and some cold, wet days. Morning lows can be below freezing in May and October. It rains often; bring good rain gear.

Packing Suggestions : Bring a good sleeping bag, with a liner or blanket if you wish. If you are sleeping in a tent, you may want an air mattress or pad; in the zendo you may use cushions.

You will be able to do hand laundry once every five to seven days.

Zazen clothing: Robes are not required for laypeople; if you have them you are welcome to wear them. Bring loose pants or skirts, shirts and a wool shirt or sweater. Dark or quiet colors are preferred; please don't wear revealing or skimpy clothing in the zendo.

A bathrobe may be useful for going between sleeping area and shower room at rising and bedtime.

Good long underwear is strongly recommended.

Work clothes: bring pants, shirts (long and short sleeved), work gloves.

Rain gear: You may want a wool jacket or light insulated jacket or vest, sun hat and wool hat.

Please bring a flashlight and spare batteries. An alarm clock and an umbrella are highly recommended.

You need not bring sitting cushions.

Miscellanea: towel, washcloth, unscented soaps and deodorants, biodegradable shampoo and soap, insect repellant, sunscreen, medications (especially for hay fever and allergies), shaving equipment (an outlet is available for recharging but not for daily plug-in use), toiletries, writing supplies such as envelopes and stamps.