The way The "goal" Background Chinese texts Classical Post-classical Contemporary Zen in Japan Seon in Korea Thiền in Vietnam Western Zen A zazenkai (座禅会), literally meaning "to come together for meditation" is a Zen Buddhist retreat that is usually less intensive and of shorter duration than sesshin.
It may comprise a short meeting, without liturgical service, headed by a monastic, or by a group of practitioners without the presence of a teacher.
[1][2] It is also sometimes used to refer to a meeting of lay practitioners [3] who practice together regularly without a resident teacher.
Zazenkai may include a short period of rest or kinhin (walking meditation).
At some Zen centers or temples, zazenkai may be followed by social activities or a dharma talk.