Burning
House
Zendo

Upcoming Events

2008 Zazenkai Schedule

Zazenkai are short retreats held without the presence of a teacher. At Burning House, they are usually weekend-long, except for Rohatsu, which also includes sitting during the week. They are good opportunities for deepening our practice together without requiring the time commitment of a full sesshin.

Zazenkai will be held in 2008 on the following dates:

  • March 29-30
  • June (Burning House Anniversary Celebration): Canceled
  • September 20-21
  • November 29 - December 7 (Rohatsu)

Details about each event are posted as the time approaches. Mark your calendar -- we hope we'll see you there!

Past Events

Rohatsu 2007

Rohatsu, the celebration of Buddha's enlightenment, was held at Burning House Zendo from 12/1 through 12/8, 2007, with silent retreats both weekends and Morning and Evening Service throughout the week. Thanks to everyone who took part, and especially to Laura for literally nourishing our practice.

Rohatsu 2006

Burning House Zendo celebrated Rohatsu 2006 with two zazenkai weekends and evening service through the week. Thanks to everyone who shared their time and effort, especially our many cooks!

Fifth Anniversary Celebration, June 16th-18th, 2006

Friends old and new joined for a weekend of practice at the zendo. Thanks to everyone who was able to stay Sunday afternoon and put a new coat of paint on the walls. Let's do it again in five years!

Rohatsu 2005

Burning House Zendo held its 2005 Rohatsu Celebration from Saturday 12/3 to Sunday 12/11 with two zazenkai weekends and evening service through the week. Thanks to everyone who gave time and effort and joined us at the zendo.

Fourth Anniversary Celebration, July 16th and 17th, 2005

Many friends joined us for a weekend zazenkai and a reception at Mutei's home. Thanks to everyone for giving time and energy to celebrate our fourth year on Harford Road.

Zazenkai, March 19th and 20th, 2005

A small group braved the early spring cold for a weekend of zazen together.

Rohatsu 2004

Jiro was unable to join us this year, but an energetic crowd came together for a week of Rohatsu practice:

Sat12/049:00AM-5:00PMZazenkai (All Day Sit)
Sun12/059:00AM-5:00PMZazenkai (All Day Sit)
Mon12/067:15PM-9:00PMEvening Service
Tue12/077:15PM-9:00PMEvening Service
Wed12/087:15PM-9:00PMEvening Service
Thu12/097:15PM-9:00PMEvening Service
Fri12/107:15PM-9:00PMEvening Service
Sat12/118:00AM-8:00PMRetreat
Sun12/128:00AM-5:00PMRetreat

And a dinner together at Nate's house at the end. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Weekend Retreat with Jiro Andy Afable, September 18th-19th, 2004

Photo of Jiro Osho Jiro Fernando Afable, Abbot of Wild Goose Zendo, led a weekend retreat at Burning House Zendo on September 18th and 19th, 2004. Thanks to everyone who threw his time and energy into preparing and participating.

Dedication Ceremony with Eido Shimano Roshi, June 19th, 2004

Group photo

Eido Shimano Roshi, Abbot of International Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji, and his attendant Fujin Attale Formhals helped us celebrate our third anniversary by leading a Dedication Ceremony at Burning House Zendo on Saturday, June 19th, 2004.

Burning House Sangha member Kurt Uchtman made this beautiful painting of the bell tower at Dai Bosatsu Zendo to give to Roshi on our behalf. You can click on it to see a large version of it.

Friends old and new joined us for a day of zazen, a reception at Mutei's home, and dinner with Roshi and Fujin. Our thanks go out to everyone who helped prepare and participate in this day.

Rohatsu Week and Retreat with Jiro Osho, 11/29-12/07/2003

Photo of Jiro Osho Jiro Osho Fernando Afable returned to Burning House Zendo to lead a retreat at the end of our Rohatsu celebration. The Rohatsu schedule was:

Sat11/299:00AM-5:00PMZazenkai (All Day Sit)
Sun11/309:00AM-5:00PMZazenkai (All Day Sit)
Mon12/017:15PM-9:00PMEvening Service
Tue12/027:15PM-9:00PMEvening Service
Wed12/037:15PM-9:00PMEvening Service
Thu12/047:15PM-9:00PMEvening Service
Fri12/057:00PM-9:00PMPublic Talk by Jiro Osho at St. Matthew's
Sat12/068:00AM-8:00PMRetreat with Jiro Osho
Sun12/078:00AM-8:00PMRetreat with Jiro Osho

A talk was offered again at St. Matthew's United Church of Christ, and was free and open to the general public.

Despite inclement weather and icy roads, a surprising number of people attended the retreat. We thank everyone for their participation and Jiro for joining us once again.

Second Anniversary Celebration, July 6th, 2003

Burning House Zendo's Second Anniversary celebration was held on Sunday, July 6th, 2003. We practiced at the zendo from 7:00am to 5:00pm, then went to a local restaurant to share dinner, talk about the past two years, and hope for many more years of sitting together.

Public Talk on Zen Buddhism and Weekend Retreat, March 14th-16th, 2003

Photo of Jiro Osho Jiro Osho Fernando Afable, the Vice Abbot of Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji (http://www.daibosatsu.org/), came to Burning House Zendo (http://burninghousezendo.org/) in Baltimore to offer a public talk on Zen Buddhism and lead a retreat the weekend of March 14th-16th, 2003.

The talk was offered at 7:00PM on Friday, March 14th at St. Matthew's United Church of Christ, 3400 Norman Avenue, one (long) block from Burning House. It was free and open to the general public.

The retreat was held from 8:00AM-5:00PM on March 15th and 8:00AM-12:30PM on March 16th. Rev. Afable offered two Dharma talks and was available for private interviews.

This was the first time a retreat with a Zen teacher was offered at Burning House, and we gratefully thank Jiro for joining us and all those who participated and lent their efforts to strengthening our practice together.