Bodhicitta Gyeolje Summer 2019
June 19-September 16
What is Gyeolje?
Gyeolje is a traditional Korean Zen retreat that takes place annually during the three-month winter and summer periods. The name means “binding rule” or “tight dharma.” Originally this was undertaken by monastics doing their intensive sitting practice in the mountain temples. When Zen Master Seung Sahn came to the United States, he began 90-day winter Gyeolje retreats at the Diamond Hill Zen Monastery in Cumberland, RI.
What is the Bodhicitta Gyeolje?
This intensive “binding rule” practice has opened many minds over the years; however most of us, as busy house-holders in modern life, cannot afford either the time or money to participate in this traditional practice model. Nevertheless, we can create a program that works for each of us, in our own unique circumstances. Although we are not living in a monastic rigorous setting, we can still investigate this matter of finding our before-thinking original nature with complete assurance and dedication. Any environment is suitable for this effort. The whole world is our “temple” and our support for each other is vital, for our lives are quite rigorous.
Bodhicitta is a Sanskrit word that means "awakening mind"; it is the mind that moves toward awakening and embodies empathy and compassion. The Bodhicitta Gyeolje is an opportunity for lay practitioners who cannot participate in the traditional Gyeolje, by doing extra practice at home and practicing with others in the community when possible. Participating in the Bodhicitta Gyeolje strengthens our own practice while providing support to our fellow practitioners. Together we draw inspiration and energy from our commitment to practice. In Zen, there are three essential elements to our practice: Great Faith, Great Courage and Great Question. How can this be accomplished, and when will we find the resolve? This program is designed specifically to turn up our practice energy, wake up our resolve and completely cut through all habitual thinking and save all beings from suffering.
Bodhicitta is a Sanskrit word that means "awakening mind"; it is the mind that moves toward awakening and embodies empathy and compassion. The Bodhicitta Gyeolje is an opportunity for lay practitioners who cannot participate in the traditional Gyeolje, by doing extra practice at home and practicing with others in the community when possible. Participating in the Bodhicitta Gyeolje strengthens our own practice while providing support to our fellow practitioners. Together we draw inspiration and energy from our commitment to practice. In Zen, there are three essential elements to our practice: Great Faith, Great Courage and Great Question. How can this be accomplished, and when will we find the resolve? This program is designed specifically to turn up our practice energy, wake up our resolve and completely cut through all habitual thinking and save all beings from suffering.
History
In India there are three seasons, Rainy, Cool, and Hot. The rains retreat came about during the rainy season of the year. During the time of the Buddha, monks were attempting to live the precepts very precisely. The first precept is “Not killing or harming living beings”. This included insects that live in the ground. During the Rainy season, when the rain came down, the insects came up out of the ground. When the monks were traveling from one place to another, they couldn't stop from harming the insects that were on the ground. The Buddha was criticized by other religious sects and the town folk so much that he had to put into effect the Rains Retreat so monastics could keep the precept fully. Also, it was very difficult to travel during this time and the Buddha requested the monks just stay put.
The tradition is that each year during the rainy season, the monks stayed close to a town so they could walk on the roads to get their alms instead of walking through the forests. Over time this Rains Retreat officially happened in conjunction with the Asian season from July full moon until October full moon. Gradually, as other geographic countries became involved, where seasons fell at other times, it became acceptable within the monastic rules, that a person could take their Rains Retreat in keeping with their own country as long as they served one retreat per year in this way.
The tradition is that each year during the rainy season, the monks stayed close to a town so they could walk on the roads to get their alms instead of walking through the forests. Over time this Rains Retreat officially happened in conjunction with the Asian season from July full moon until October full moon. Gradually, as other geographic countries became involved, where seasons fell at other times, it became acceptable within the monastic rules, that a person could take their Rains Retreat in keeping with their own country as long as they served one retreat per year in this way.
How can I participate?
Traditionally, any Gyeolche is a method to intensify one's practice. Lotus Heart Zen, however, tends to focus the more rigorous, intensive practice for the Winter Bodhicitta Gyeolche, while the Summer Bodhicitta Gyeolche is primarily used as a way to maintain practice during the busy, more spontaneous spring and summer months, where regular practice tends to slip to the side.
If you are interested in participating in the Summer Bodhicitta Gyeolche, please fill out the practice commitment form below.
It is free to sign up!
If you are interested in participating in the Summer Bodhicitta Gyeolche, please fill out the practice commitment form below.
It is free to sign up!
Schedule and requirements for participants
Summer Bodhicitta Gyeolje Dates:
While it is recommended to begin the Gyeolje on the start date, one can "enter" at anytime before December 9, 2018.
Start: June 19, 2019
End: September 16, 2019
Primary Components:
Daily Practice: Goal is at least 20 minutes of practice daily
While it is recommended to begin the Gyeolje on the start date, one can "enter" at anytime before December 9, 2018.
Start: June 19, 2019
End: September 16, 2019
Primary Components:
Daily Practice: Goal is at least 20 minutes of practice daily
- Bowing: to balance the scales of our accumulated karma (suggested daily minimum 3 bows)
- Chanting: to focus our energy and open compassion in our hearts (suggested one chant, such as the Heart Sutra)
- Sitting: to calm the mind and develop our focus and a strong center of being (suggested sitting time: 10 minutes)
- Reciting vows: to guide our direction (reciting the Four Bodhisattva Vows or the precepts)
- Mantra chanting: choose a mantra to chant throughout the day during down times and while performing repetitive activites, such as driving, walking or doing the dishes, etc)
- Liturgical study: read short passages from a sutra or other Buddhist text and journal about your practice. Could be daily or set aside one day a week in which you do such reading and journalling.
- Retreats: particpate in any half-day retreat or full day retreats that you are able to attend
- Work practice (provide service at your Zen center or temple)
- Interviews (set up individual meetings with your teacher or if you don't have a teacher arrange meetings with Ven. Do'an Prajna)
- Extending Practice outside the normal confines: what ways might you explore practice outside of your usual routine, location and methods? Be open to explore the ways that your regular personal practice during the fall and winter months has allowed you some flexibilty to engage in practice differently from the usual routine. (Examples: a hike can become a walking meditation, a day at the beach can be a personal meditation retreat, camping can be a way of connecting to nature and learning about its unique scripture, etc.)
