Practice Periods

Autumn Ango - Fall Residency 2025

With Hogen and Chozen Roshi, Patrick Bansho Green and Myoyu Haley Voekel

October 7 - December 21, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery

This Dharma is abundantly present in each human being, but if we do not practice it, it does not manifest itself, and if we do not experience it, it cannot be realized. - Dogen Zenji In communion with our ancestors who set aside time each year for deep retreat, the Monastery offers this Autumn Ango. […]

Monastery Winter Practice Period

February 3 - March 29, 2026
Great Vow Zen Monastery

In the stillness and quiet of the monastic container, when we allow the dust to settle and the thinking mind to open and relax, spontaneous wonderment and delight naturally appear. Attention is love. How do we attend to our life? During this practice period we will lean into the natural expression of love and creativity […]

Spring Practice Period: Awakening with the Earth

April 7 - May 26, 2026
Great Vow Zen Monastery

  Spring at Great Vow Zen Monastery is beautiful. The fruit tree blossoms open towards the heavens, the forest is abuzz with new life as birds, insects  and tree frogs are wake up from their winter slumber.  Early spring flowers emerge in  abundant color, offering fresh perspectives and encouragements. With the natural world springing to […]

Summer Residency Program 2026

July 7 - August 16, 2026
Great Vow Zen Monastery
The Summer Program at Great Vow Zen Monastery is an opportunity to plunge into Zen practice with the support of community and teachers, and to taste the benefits of calming the mind and opening the heart. Our Summer Program is a special part of our on-going residential program at the monastery. It is designed to give you a genuine immersion in Zen practice, through the practices of meditation, mindful eating. ritual/liturgy, movement practices (yoga/qi gong), and temple work.