2026 RISSHIN Practice Term: February 1st, 2026 – May 3rd, 2026
Teacher: Abbot Ejo McMullen
Shuso: Novice Jakuen de la Paz
Assistant Teachers:
Zen Teacher Myobun Freinkel, Koji Anyu Debra Savelle, Sangha Elder Jun-e Thomson
Sincerity is the simplest thing in the world and also the most difficult to maintain. It requires vulnerability and uprightness in the face of a constantly shifting and challenging world. Meeting life squarely takes intention, and there are countless ways to escape. The foremost aim of the Term Student Program is to cultivate and guide our sincere heart through inquiry into the Buddha way. What calls to each of us has called to countless beings throughout the ages and in every corner of the world. What is the call now? Here? How will you respond?
In the traditional monastic practice periods held at Zen monasteries, training is accomplished through cloister and intense attention to every detail of daily life. Zazen, chanting, and studying sutras (the kinds of things we typically associate with Buddhist practice) are of course central, but equal attention is paid to cooking, eating, sleeping, relating to each other, and otherwise taking care of life. At a community temple like Buddha Eye, we model this kind of monastic training in sesshin and other retreats, but the practice term looks different than the monastic cloister. Recognizing that we all have diverse responsibilities and affiliations throughout the wider community, training is organized to help us wake up to the importance of our whole life, in and outside the temple walls. The approach is to embrace the terrain of our daily life as the field of Buddhist practice and at the same time to take refuge in the temple community, practice, and teachings in order to center our spiritual journey.
Please consider the following requirements and opportunities of a Term Student.
Requirements:
Attend Term Student Orientation. If this is your first time participating as a Term Student, you must attend the Orientation meeting on Sunday January 25th, from 12:00pm – 12:30pm. The orientation will cover all requirements, describe the term schedule, and discuss the heart with which we enter the container of the Term.
Attend the Term Opening Ceremony. Sunday February 1st, 10:00am.
Attend Term Student Meetings and Teisho: Term students meet every Thursday Evening, February 5th - April 30th, from 6:30pm - 8:30, to receive teachings, study together, and engage in group discussions. Three of our meetings (2/12, 3/26, 4/16) will include Teisho, a formal teaching from the Abbot. These important teachings will form the backbone of all other Term Student Meetings. Recording will be available on a limited basis and the larger community is also invited to attend.
Regular daily Zazen: Minimum 30 minutes daily (6 days a week).
Assemblies: Students should plan to attend Sunday Morning Assembly.
Shuso Dharma Talks: Students should attend, listen live on-line, or listen to recordings of all the Shuso’s Sunday dharma talks given during the term.
Sanzen and/or Practice Discussion: minimum of five times during the term. Sanzen is a formal meeting with the Abbot centered on a specific question arising in practice. Practice Discussion is a less formal meeting with Myobun, Kogen, Jun-e, Anyu, Shin’ei, Jikie, Jun-e, or Issei and can cover a range of practice topics.
Attend the Term Closing Ceremony (SHOSAN) on Sunday, May 3rd.
Non-required Opportunities:
Participation in Retreats: You may want to consider participation in Silent Sits, Sesshin (Meditation Intensive) and/or the Jukai retreat.
Practice Positions: those who are inspired to learn about ritual practice positions are encouraged to contact the Shuso at jakuen@buddhaeye.org
Please email the temple office (office@buddhaeye.org) or telephone (541-312-4576) if you have questions about the Term Student Program.
Please use the Dharma Program Registration form to register for the Term Student Program.