Ango is a tradition that dates back to the time of the Buddha, before there was a tradition of established monasteries. Monks at that time were travellers, but during the monsoon season, they would gather together and practice intensively as a group.
In modern Western Zen communities, this usually takes to form of a period of 3 weeks to 3 months in which practitioners make a public commitments to intensify their sitting.
How it will look for our Zen family has not been outlined, but in general people intensify their sitting practice, participate in more retreats (zazenkais and sesshins) as well as other forms such as art practice.
Ango has always struck me as Zen's Lent or Advent.
Rev. Do-on will be the shuso for this first Ango. a Shuso is a senior practitioner that is set up as a model of practice during the Ango. For the Shuso, Ango often culminates with them giving their first dharma talk and the concluding sesshin. (Granted, Rev. Do-on has already given many talks, but this is a beautiful place to start for the TZC family).
What will this mean for AZMG? Julie and I will be participating to be sure. We will be coordinating AZMG's first Zazenkai with the start of Ango, and are trying to work out the details of doing Skype interviews with Rinsen. There may also be an opportunity to travel to Toledo for their Zazenkais or to use technology to see the talks given there LIVE.
Once more details are hammered out on their end, the nature of our ability to participate will be clarified.
In the meantime, we will be sitting this Tuesday night. Afterwards we will discuss the upcoming Ango and the plans for our own Zaznekai.
Keep well.
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