A Practice Period offers the possibility to go deeper in your practice, do longer zazen periods, visit more events, and have a closer connection with other sangha members.

The theme for this Fall is THE ART OF JUST SITTING. Just sitting - shikantaza 只管打坐 - is the core practice of our school. Let us together explore what that means in our life.

Traditionally, a Soto Zen Practice Period is 90 days, ango in Japanese. It is held in a monastery or secluded retreat center, where all the participants reside for the whole duration, being led by a Senior Dharma teacher, a Head Monk (shuso), and the doan ryo, a group of trained monks who keep the zendo activities running smoothly.

In our situation at MZC as a lay center, where practitioners would normally not stay overnight, and especially with the COVID restraints, this ideal cannot be kept up. However, I would like to encourage Zen students who want to go further in their practice and eventually receive ordination, to make an effort to take part in most activities.

There are no absolute requirements, but I expect that participants state their commitment and hold to it.

If you are interested, please make an appointment for a private meeting with me.