…and a Mindful New Year.

Come burn your regrets and ring in the New Year at Jikoji with 108 bows and a peaceful party in the canyon.  Spend the night in one of our cozy dorm rooms, then join us New Year's Day for a hike through the open spaces surrounding Jikoji.

It all begins with a social dinner, followed by a Dharma Talk and then meditation and personal reflection on the year past.  As the Zen year comes to an end, we perform a simple ceremony of repentance and renewal, writing down our regrets and the things we will work to transcend and burning the paper in a bonfire.  108 Bells are rung and bows are offered to begin our efforts toward renewal.  Following such an event, a party is order and we will gather in the dining room for just the sort of party you would expect from a Zen Center.  (Actually it is a little more fun than you might guess.)

Overnight accommodations can be reserved here.

Schedule of Events

New Year's Eve  
6:00 pm - potluck dinner
7:00 - 7:55 - clean-up and social time
7:55 - han
8:10 - dharma talk by Michael Newhall
8:50 - kinhin
9:00 - zazen
9:40 - kinhin
9:50 - zazen
10:30 - service
10:45 - Break
11:15 - Confession Chants, burning of regrets, incense stubs, names in zendo stove.
11:30 - Reciting, receiving, of Three Refuges and the Precepts.
11:45  - 108 Bells with option of 108 bows.
Midnight - Celebration, toasts, hugs, dessert in the zendo and community building.

Michael Newhall

Shoho Michael Newhall was ordained and transmitted by Kobun Chino Otogawa Roshi. Prior to his installation as Jikoji’s Resident Teacher, he taught art and Buddhism at Naropa University, the Art Institute of Chicago, and other universities in the midwest. He leads sesshins and meditation workshops at Zen ce