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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KPFA Radio Interview with Elsa Knight ThompsonSerial: SF-05115 Monday, November 6, 1967 KPFA RADIO INTERVIEW WITH ELSA KNIGHT THOMPSON Interview, Don't Know Mind, Nirvana, Monastic Practice, Evil, Samsara, Practice... |
Nov 06 1967 KPFA Berkeley |
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YYYY.01.19-serial.00034 Practice Period, training, Silence, Family Practice, Oneness, Buddha Nature, Lineage... |
[field_wisdom_date]
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Way-Seeking Mind TalksSerial: SF-03089B Student talks, should not be published Religion, Practice Period, Priest, Gratitude, Lineage, Zendo, training |
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Tassajara |
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Way-Seeking Mind TalksSerial: SF-03089C Student talks, should not be published Practice Period, Priest, Monastic Practice, Bodhisattva Vow, Conversation, Vow, Zazen... |
[field_wisdom_date]
Tassajara |
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Way-Seeking Mind TalksSerial: SF-03089D Student talks, should not be published Practice Period, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Religion, Interview, Separation,... |
[field_wisdom_date]
Tassajara |
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Unknown year,September talk, Serial 01771 Practice Period, Peace, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Instruction, Suzuki Roshi,... |
Sep 11 Unknown |
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Why Become Abbot of Zen Center? Bodhisattva Vow, Practice Period, Precepts, Gratitude, Vow, Commitment, Bell, Suzuki... |
[field_wisdom_date]
Unknown |