Sesshin Quotes

“The hardest training that takes place in a Zen monastery during the year is known as the rohatsu dai sesshin, an intensive period of Zazen lasting from the first of December to the morning of the eighth, that commemorates the enlightenment of the historical Buddha, Sakyamuni. The word "sesshin" means to concentrate one's mind. This is accomplished through day and night practice of zazen and private interviews with the roshi during the week-long period.”
― Koji Sato, The Zen Life

“The period called "Great Sesshin" lasts one week. Sesshin means "to collect thoughts," and during this period the monks are exempt from work and practise zazen from early morning (3.30 a.m.) till evening (9.30 or 10 p.m.), except when they eat and when they attend the kōza which now takes place once every day.”
― Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki, The Training Of The Zen Buddhist Monk