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Bodhicitta Gyeolje Winter Dec. 8, 2020 to March 21, 2021

What is Gyeolje?

Picture
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. 

photo credit: Jirka Matousek Golgulsa Temple (골굴사), South Korea via photopin (license)

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.

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.

How can I participate?

Fill out the practice commitment registration form below. 

Schedule and requirements for participants

Winter Bodhicitta Gyeolje Dates:
While it is recommended to begin the Gyeolje on the start date, one can "enter" at anytime after December 8, 2020.
     Start: December 8, 2020
     End: March 21, 2021
Primary Components:
Formal Practice:
  • Bowing (suggested daily minimum 108 bows)
  • Chanting & Mantra (suggested daily chanting of Heart Sutra and 1000 recitations of Kwan Seum Bosal)
  • Sitting (suggested daily minimum 20 minutes; participating in at least one half-day retreat and one full day retreat)​
  • Work practice (provide service at your Zen center)
  • Silent meal practice at home
  • Liturgical study (read sacred texts, suggested daily minimum 15 minutes)
  • Interviews (set up individual meetings with your teacher or if you don't have a teacher arrange meetings with Ven. Myohye Do'an)
Dana & Volunteer Work
  • Contribute financially and/or volunteer service to your local temple or practice center
Community Practice
  • Participate in your on-going community practice
Retreats
  • Attend virtual meditation retreats
Personal Practice
  • Self designed daily practice. This can be anywhere from 20 minutes of daily practice to whatever period of time you can reasonably maintain during the 90-day period. You might try to establish a personal day of silence and mindfulness throughout the Bodhicitta Gyeolje. In the spirit of the intensified practice, try for more than you usually do. 

    Bodhicitta Gyeolje Registration


    Participant Information

    If you do not have a dharma name, please leave this blank.
    Please give the phone number you prefer to be reached at.

    Bodhicitta Gyeolje Commitments

    If you feel that you can fulfill the requirements for Gyeolje then do the following:
    • If you have one, consult with your Guiding Teacher about participating in the Gyeolje and your personal training schedule. 
    • Fill out the contract form below and sign. 
    ​Bodhicitta Gyeolje Personal Practice Schedule:
    • Please write down your proposed practice schedule for the Gyeolje period. 
    State your commitment for a minimum daily sitting practice. Suggested minimum is 20 mins daily, however, be sure to choose a period of time that is achievable, but slightly challenging.
    State your commitment for a minimum daily chanting practice. Suggested minimum is to chant the Heart Sutra daily and 1000 recitations of Kwan Seum Bosal daily.
    State your commitment for a minimum daily liturgical practice. Suggested minimum is 15 mins daily reading from a sacred text, i.e.: one of the many Buddhist Sutras.
    State your commitment for a minimum daily bowing practice. Suggested minimum is 108 bows daily, however, be sure to choose a number of bows that is achievable, and not overly strenuous. Sitting bows are perfectly acceptable in place of full prostrations. If bowing practice is too difficult, you can replace Walking Meditation for bowing, just indicate the amount of time daily you commit to.
    State how often you would like to meet with a teacher or spiritual mentor. Suggested commitment is once a week during the Gyeolje.
    State your commitment to participate in a formal silent meal and/or holding a solo silent meal. Formal meals are usually during retreats that are one-day or longer in length. Suggested minium for solo silent meal is once a week.
    State your committment to providing work assistance to your spiritual community or local Zen Center. Please indicate number of hours and if possible what work service you intend to provide.
    State your commitment for providing dana (i.e.: financial donations) and/or volunteer work.
    State any other personal practice commitments that you intend to uphold during the Gyeolje. For example, number of days praciting silence and mindfulness.
    Please indicate your daily and/or weekly practice schedule to intend to commit to.

    Sitting Retreats

    Sitting retreats during the Bodhicitta Gyeolje is embracing fully the spirit of the traditional intensive Gyeolje. Normally it is recommended to participate in as many retreats as is possible during the 90-day Gyeolje. But this year it is not safe for us to sit long retreats in a small space. This year the focus will be on strengthening our home sitting practice. A group virtual sitting retreat will be planned after the holidays, the details for that virtual retreat will be shared with those partipating in the Winter Gyeolje, once the plans are developed.


    Signature

    Complete the signature and date below to confirm and formalize your Bodhicitta Gyeolje commitment.
Submit

Locations

Temple: By Appointment Only, Oneida, NY

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