Minnesota Zen Meditation Center
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Practice Periods

Practice Periods 2023

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Practice Periods are an integral part of traditional Buddhism, and trace their origins back to the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, when the nuns and monks would take time during the monsoon seasons of India to devote themselves to intensified meditation, study, and community building.

Participants are expected to attend the eight weekly meetings (Wednesday evenings from 7:15 – 8:45 pm OR Thursday mornings from 7:30 – 9:00 am), commit to regular zazen practice, attend at least one day of retreat (for which there is an additional cost) and one work practice day, read the assigned text(s), and have regular meetings with an assigned practice partner.

Spring Practice Period
with Ted O'Toole and Keido Jeromy Thotland

Offered online and in person
Wednesday evenings, March 29 – May 17 , 7:15 – 8:45 pm (There is also a morning option for those who cannot attend Wednesday evenings: Thursday mornings March 30 – May 18 , 7:30 – 9:00 am)
Suggested donation $150
Please register five days in advance.
Register

The topic of the spring Practice Period will be the Lotus Sutra, using the translation by Gene Reeves.  The Lotus Sutra is one of the world's great religious texts and has been highly influential in the development of Mahayana Buddhism.  The Practice Period will be led by Ted O'Toole and Keido Jeromy Thotland, and will end with Keido's shuso ceremony.  There will be an opportunity for an optional "Tea with the Shuso."

We will study the second half of the Lotus Sutra in the Spring Practice Period.  Although we studied the first half in the Fall 2022 Practice Period, that Practice Period was not a prerequisite for this one.  In our initial meetings in the spring we will summarize the offerings from Fall 2022 in order for new participants to catch up, and prior participants to be reminded.  Anyone wanting to familiarize themselves with the first half of the Lotus Sutra may take a look at pages 1-217 of the book. Please come to class with a copy of the book. If you do not want to purchase the book, you may read the copy on the reserve in the MZMC library. 

​Fall Practice Period
with Tim Burkett and Alan Eustace
​Offered online and in person

Wednesday evenings, October 4 – November 2o, 7:15 – 8:45 pm (Last class is on a Monday.) OR
Thursday mornings October 5 – November 21 , 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. (Last class is on Tuesday.) 

Suggested donation: $150
Please register five days in advance.
Register

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  • Home
  • Programming
    • MZMC Programming
    • Zoom Program Links
    • Introductory Class
    • Sunday/Tuesday Talks
    • Calendar
    • Classes
    • Practice Periods
    • Retreats and Workshops
    • Daily Meditation
    • Curriculum
    • Affinity Groups
    • Mentorship
    • Youth Programs
  • Resources
    • MZMC Resources
    • Sunday Talk Archive
    • Chants and Services
    • MZMC Authors
    • Sewing Practice
    • Books and Links
    • Spiritual Care
    • Equity and Inclusion
    • Library
    • Ceremonies
    • Primers
  • Community
    • MZMC Community
    • 50th Online Booklet
    • Council Process
    • Racial Justice Action
    • People of Color Dharma Group
    • Death and Dying Book Group
    • Waking Up to Race
    • LGBTQ+ Dharma Group
    • Volunteer/Work Practice
    • Mala Making Workshop
    • Buddhism and Recovery
    • Joyce Food Shelf
  • Katagiri project
    • Katagiri Project
    • Biography and Lineage
    • Books, Photos, and Videos
    • Audio Archive Project >
      • The Dainin Katagiri Audio Archive
    • Tomoe Katagiri
    • Blog
  • About MZMC
    • About MZMC
    • Teachers
    • Board
    • Ethics
    • Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
    • History of Inclusivity
    • Initiation and Priest Training
    • Building Project
    • Contact
  • Support
    • Support MZMC
    • Membership and Donation Season
    • Become a Member
    • Donate
    • Donation-Only Programming
    • Volunteer