Distant Temple Bell Sesshin

March 13 – 16, 2026

Online, via Temple Zoom Zendo

Sesshin is an intensive Zen meditation retreat with scheduled meditation, liturgy, dialogue, and dokusan (private meetings with the teachers). During Online Sesshin, all teachers and students attend from their own residence via Zoom. All practice periods are held in the Zoom zendo, and all dokusan are held in Zoom breakout rooms. This sesshin will be led by Alan Sanhyō Richardson, Sensei, Dharma Holder Michael Sōkei Herzog, and Dharma Holder Rev. Paul Sōshin Galvin.

You will need a relatively quiet room, a computer, and access to the Internet. You will receive a special Zoom link after your registration is confirmed. Please do not let technology be a barrier to participating. We have sangha members ready to support registered participants with technology questions, concerns, and issues before and during the sesshin.

Online Practice Periods

(all times are Eastern Standard Time)

Friday, March 13

6:00 p.m. (Optional Tech Orientation)

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Sesshin Begins)

Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15

6:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.

9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Monday, March 16

6:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.

9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Sesshin ends)

We will alternate periods of online practice with everyday householder commitments. Online practice will include meditation, sutra service, teisho (Dharma talks), Dharma dialogue, and dokusan (individual meetings with the teachers). Offline interludes are a time to attend to daily life and do not require maintaining noble silence.

Suggested Donation Amounts (Members / Non-members): $210 / $240

Click here to register by March 10.

Additional details can be found in the Sesshin Information Page.