Practice Period Talks
An ango (安居), or kessei (結制), is a Japanese term for a three-month period of intense training for students of Zen Buddhism, lasting anywhere from 90 to 100 days. The practice during ango consists of meditation (zazen), study, and work (samu (作務)).
Ango is typically held twice a year, the first period from spring to summer and the second period from fall to winter. The word ango literally translates as "dwelling in peace"; the summer ango is referred to as ge-ango and the winter period is u-ango. Additionally, some monasteries and Zen centers hold just one ango per year.
Concerning Zen practice in the United States, author Ellen Birx writes,
Many centers now allow members to attend retreats on a part-time basis. Many have ango, a three-month-long period of intensified practice, that members can participate in while continuing to go off to work during the day." Taigen Dan Leighton writes a more traditional definition, "These are ninety-day training periods of concentrated practice without leaving the monastic enclosure (except for monks going out for necessary temple business). They date back to the summer rainy season retreats of Shakyamuni's time. In Japan, they have been held twice a year, summer and winter."
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Ten Vows, Ten Practices, and Ten Cakes Discrimination, Nirvana, Practice Period, Blue Cliff Record, Letting Go, Right Effort... |
Mar 07 2020 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Buddha Has Reasons For Teaching Non-Self And Buddha Has Reasons For Teaching Self Addiction, Discrimination, Anger, Practice Period, Dragons, Impermanence, Enthusiasm... |
Feb 01 2020 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Reaching Home Again Without Realizing It Chanting, Suzuki Roshi, Practice Period, Priest, japanese, Faith, Impermanence, Lotus... |
Oct 19 2019 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Teachings for the Welfare of the WorldIn this summer series, teachings will be offered for those who aspire to embrace and sustain the great earth and all living beings in order to realize peace and freedom in our troubled world. YRB-2019-Summer, Silence, Funeral, Emotions, Interview, soto, Practice Period, Birth-... |
Jul 09 2019 3/7 The Yoga Room |
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Just This Is: the Avatamsaka Sutra in the Zen Tradition Perfect Wisdom, Discrimination, Buddha Mind, Practice Period, Karmic Consciousness,... |
Apr 13 2019 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Buddha Activity Intimacy, Doubt, Faith, true dharma, zen meditation, Complete Perfect Enlightenment,... |
Mar 09 2019 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Silent Sitting and Social ActionAll compounded phenomena are unworthy of confidence. Compassion to these unstable phenomena is our practice. Zen stories are about enacting awakening within social interactions. Attend to your body,... Compassion, Four Foundations, Practice Period, |
Oct 20 2018 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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The Pivotal Activity of All the BuddhasCompassion, Practice Period, |
Sep 17 2016 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Clean the Temple and Listen to the Cries of the WorldWork, Monkey Mind, confusion, Letting Go, Bodhisattva Precepts, Suzuki Roshi, Dragons... |
Jun 07 2014 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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The Good Friendship of Shitou, Matsu and YaoshanShitou, Mazu, Yaoshan, Koan, Teacher-and-Student, Perfect Wisdom, Manjushri, Faith,... |
Feb 01 2014 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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Householder Bodhisattvas, What is Your Aspiration for this New Year? Rinzai, Teacher-and-Student, Bodhisattva Precepts, Practice Period, Evil, Commitment... |
Jan 02 2012 Afternoon No Abode Hermitage |
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Study of delusion is the Buddha Way Bodhisattva Vow, Karmic Consciousness, Practice Period, Equanimity, Mahayana,... |
Aug 13 2011 Afternoon No Abode Hermitage |
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Facing the Wall for Nine Years Lotus Sutra, Attachment, true dharma, Zendo, Confession-and-Repentance, Impermanence... |
Sep 18 2010 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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The Mind of Enlightenment Enthusiasm, Bodhidharma, Practice Period, Faith, Equanimity, Confession-and-... |
Aug 05 2010 The Yoga Room |
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Training for the Selfless Heart Patience, Intimacy, Practice Period, Anger, Don't Know Mind, Teacher-and-Student... |
Apr 01 2010 The Yoga Room |
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For a Sentient Being to be a Sentient Being is just not to Move Priest, New Year, japanese, Don't Know Mind, Lotus Sutra, Practice Period,... |
Nov 14 2009 Afternoon No Abode Hermitage |
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Faith that Allows Doubt and the Idea that All Ideas are Contingent and Empty Doubt, New Year, Practice Period |
Dec 13 2008 Afternoon No Abode Hermitage |
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Buddha Sitting as Us; Us Sitting as Buddha Birth-and-Death, Lotus Sutra, War, Mindfulness, American, Samsara, Practice Period,... |
Oct 18 2008 Afternoon No Abode Hermitage |
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Fearlessness Separation, Non-violence, Intimacy, Practice Period, War, Impermanence, difficulty... |
Nov 01 2007 No Abode Hermitage |