This is Zen Mountain Monastery's most popular retreat. Designed for those new to Zen, the weekend introduces the most important aspects of traditional Zen training within the context of the unique Eight Gates program. The program is offered monthly. The successful bidder will experience zazen, liturgy, art and body practice, and other areas of training, while also having ample opportunity to ask questions about Zen practice.

Many people have read books on Zen, been doing zazen on their own, or looking for a teacher. In this retreat the participant will have the opportunity to experience firsthand that which they've been reading about, to find strength in practicing alongside the like-minded, and to directly explore the student-teacher relationship. Each weekend is led by Mountains and Rivers Order teachers, senior monastics and lay students, and offers the opportunity for private interview with a teacher. 

Zen Mountain Monastery is a monastic training center providing traditional yet distinctly Western Zen training to people of all ages and religious backgrounds. With a resident community of female and male monastics and lay trainees, the Monastery offers a wide variety of programs and retreats for both beginning and advanced Buddhist practitioners. Set in a nature preserve in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, the Monastery offers an atmosphere conducive to self-study and introspection.

Accommodations and meals included.