One-Day Retreat with Gareth Young
Saturday, July 19th, 2025, from 9:00 to 5:00
One Minute Buddha
Silent Illumination is the nature of the universe - Buddha Nature both quiescent and vibrantly alive, still and yet active - and also how we can practice. Dating back to Hongzhi in 12th Century China, and before that to Huineng and Bodhidharma, this approach to Buddhism was foundational for Chinese Chan Buddhism and to the Zen traditions that followed in Japan. Dogen spoke simply and eloquently about Silent Illumination when he wrote, "Zazen is itself enlightenment, one minute of sitting, one minute of being Buddha".
During this retreat Gareth will talk about the tradition and the teachings of Silent Illumination, and will provide guidance on the practice. For those interested in reading ahead of time, you might find Guo Gu's book, "Silent Illumination", which includes translations and commentaries on some of Hongzhi's writings or any of his YouTube talks on the subject of interest. You might also read Huineng's Platform Sutra, which exists in many translations.
Gareth Young is a co-founder and the guiding teacher of Red Clay Sangha. He has maintained a committed meditation practice for over 20 years in the Zen and Vipassana traditions, and integrates over 10 years of interfaith engagement into his teaching.
Gareth's teaching authorization is in the Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Chah, Jack Kornfield and Lisa Ernst.
What to expect: This will be a full day of sitting and walking meditation practice, with brief instructions to start the day, a dharma talk mid-morning, and Q&A/discussion mid-afternoon. All are welcome, no previous experience with meditation required.
Location: Red Clay Sangha, 3315 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, and on Zoom
Food: There will be a break around noon for lunch. Please bring your meal. There is a refrigerator on premise if you wish to store food in it, as well as a kettle and a variety of tea bags if you'd like to make yourself tea.
Schedule: The door will be open by 8:45 for arrival and settling in. At 9:00 Gareth will give a brief introduction and orientation and we will begin sitting around 9:10. We will likely finish a few minutes before 5:00. There will be a dharma talk mid-morning, a Q&A/ Discussion period mid-afternoon, and the balance of the day (other than the break for lunch) will be alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation.
Questions or More Information?
Please contact Gareth Young