2024 Summer Kyol Che Zen Meditation Retreat
July 20 - August 4
Dates: Weekly from July 6, 2024 until August 2, 2024 (3 day minimum stay)
Location: Providence Zen Center, 99 Pound Rd, Cumberland, RI 02864
Join us for Summer Kyol Che, an intensive Zen retreat, traditionally held for thirty days during the summer. The name means “tight dharma” or “coming together.” Kyol Che practice clarifies our direction, resulting in a more harmonious relationship with all aspects of life as we practice in a serene woodland setting, with the support of Sangha members from all over the world. As the head temple of the Kwan Um School of Zen, Providence Zen Center has hosted Kyol-Che at Diamond Hill monastery every summer and winter for over forty years.
Kyol Che is held in silence. Each day consists of Kwan Um Zen practice which includes bowing, chanting, sitting, and walking meditation, with work and rest periods. Vegetarian meals are eaten in traditional temple style. Kyol Che includes Dharma talks and kong-an interviews with a Kwan Um Zen teacher. Prior retreat experience is required. One and two-day meditation retreats are scheduled each month at Providence Zen Center, as well as through the online sangha.
The Kyol Che retreat includes:
- Kwan Um Zen sitting, walking, and chanting meditation.
- Dharma Talks and kong-an teaching Interviews with a dharma teacher for insightful teachings.
- Rooming accommodations with shared bathrooms. Most rooms are assigned to one person. A few may be shared.
- Silent vegetarian meals, eaten in traditional temple style.
Weekly Teacher Schedule
Week 1 – Saturday July 6: Dennis Duermeier JDPSN
Week 2 – Saturday July 13: Zen Master Dae An (Bogumiła Malinowska)
Week 3 – Saturday July 20: Kwan Haeng Sunim JDPS (Providence Zen Center Co-Guiding Teacher)
Week 4 – Saturday July 27: Zen Master Soeng Hyang (Bobby Rhodes – Kwan Um Zen School Zen Master)
Retreat Logistics
Providence Zen Center’s Kyol-Che is held at the Diamond Hill monastery, uphill from the main building.
Each Kyol Che week runs from Saturday through Friday.
Entry day is Saturday only at 8:00 AM. There is a three-day/night minimum stay. Exit after breakfast following the last full day of your retreat. (e.g. for 3 days, exit Tuesday morning; for 7 days, exit Saturday morning).
Book your stay based on the number of full retreat days. Our registration form will collect additional information to help plan your visit.
No personal food should be brought into the retreat except as arranged in advance based on medical/special dietary needs that can’t be accommodated by the kitchen. Meat and alcohol CANNOT be brought onto the grounds of Providence Zen Center.
First Time Retreatants
- Please arrive promptly at 8 AM on Day 1 (Saturday) for registration and room assignment. Park in the visitor parking lot and proceed to check in at the main building.
- If you are new to Kyol-Che, you will receive orientation at 9:00 AM on Day 1 (Saturday)
- Please review the Kyol Che Information Booklet to help prepare for entry and answer any questions you may have in advance of joining the retreat.
- Previous retreat experience with the Kwan Um School of Zen is required to sit Kyol-Che, except by special permission. One and two-day retreats are offered at local Kwan Um Zen Centers, and through the online sangha.
Retreat Schedule
Arrival Day (Saturday)
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM Arrival/Registration
9:00 AM Orientation
10:00 AM – 9:45 PM Follow Regular Daily Schedule
Sunday
1:30 PM Dharma Talk – in addition to regular daily schedule
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Kong-an/Consulting interviews with the Kyol Che teacher will be held during zen sitting meditation periods.
Daily Schedule
Morning
- 4:30 AM: Wake-up Bell
- 4:45 AM – 5:00 AM 108 Bows
- 5:15 AM – 6:00 AM Chanting
- 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM Sitting Zen
- 7:30 AM Breakfast
- 8:15 AM – 9:15 AM Work Period
- 9:15 AM – 10:00 AM Rest Period
- 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Sitting Zen
- 12:00 PM Lunch
Afternoon
- 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM Sitting Zen
- 3:30 – 4:00 PM Walking Outside
- 4:00 – 4:30 PM Sitting Zen
- 5:00 PM Dinner
- 6:30 – 7:30 PM Evening Chanting
- 7:30 – 8:05 PM Sitting Zen
- 8:05 – 8:50 PM Body Movement
- 9:00 – 9:30 PM Sitting Zen
- 9:30 – 9:40 PM Chanting and Four Great Vows
- 9:45 PM: Sleep
Departure Days (Tuesdays-Saturdays)
- Depart after breakfast
Retreat Fees
Retreat fees cover vegetarian meals and accommodations. Most rooms are assigned to one person. A few may be shared. If you have special dietary or physical accessibility needs, please register at least a week in advance of your entry date.
Scholarships may be available for Kwan Um School of Zen members in good standing. Please contact your guiding teacher for information.
Daily Rate
- $85 Non-Members and Associate Members
- $60 Members, Seniors, and Full-time Students use discount code SKC24MEMBERDAILY
- $50 Dharma Teachers and Dharma-Teachers-in-Training use discount code SKC24DTDAILY
Weekly Rate
- $525 Non-Members and Associate Members
- $385 Members, Seniors, and Full-time Students use discount code SKC24MEMBERWEEK
- $315 Dharma Teachers and Dharma-Teachers-in-Training use discount code SKC24DTWEEK
Monthly Rate
- $2100 Non-Members and Associate Members
- $1540 Members, Seniors, and Full-time Students use discount code SKC24MEMBERMONTH
- $1200 Dharma Teachers and Dharma-Teachers-in-Training use discount code SKC24DTMONTH
Membership
Membership in the Kwan Um School of Zen entitles you to discounts for retreats and guest stays at our Kwan Um School of Zen Centers. See Become a Member on the Kwan Um School of Zen website.
Dana for our teachers
Dana is the ancient Pali word for “generosity of heart”, or “freely giving”. It is customary to give dana to the teacher at the end of the retreat. Your generous support truly helps them to continue teaching. There will be an envelope on the altar for you to leave dana for the teacher at the end of the retreat. Cash and check are appreciated.
Questions?
Please contact the PZC Director, Derreck Martin, at director@providencezen.org.
Registration
Register Here
