Autumn Ango: An Online Practice Period

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

As we witness transformation of season, our lives, and the physical world around us, our Ango practice period approaches. With the potential for unrest and polarization increasing as we head into the election and beyond, practicing and contributing equanimity, empathy and a deep vision of reality is a great gift to our communities.

The Buddha asked his students to take periods of time for more intense and deeper study.  These would follow the seasons and weather patterns.  Traditionally there are two of these periods a year—summer and fall.  Heart of Wisdom and Great Vow participate in a Fall Ango each year. Ango is about starting where we are and committing to taking our practice to a deeper level for the period. We commit together to synergize our efforts, to engage the Sangha’s support, to practice care for ourselves, and to benefit all beings.

Our community will open this year’s Ango on Wednesday October 14 and continue through the week of December 20.  Our opening and closing ceremonies will be shared online and, as in years past, Kodo will gather participants’ commitments to incense and place on the altar at the temple. On Sunday of each week there will be an email dedicated to the support and encouragement of mindful and intentional practice. 

To attend the Ango Opening Ceremony on zoom, please click the link before.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89617779582?pwd=ZittQ1NUb2ZZTVhHdDQ2TXQvOVk4dz09

Meeting ID: 896 1777 9582
Passcode: 861573

For this year’s Ango, we will be contemplating the theme of Continuous Practice, including but not limited to the Gyoji fascicle from Dogen’s Shobogenzo. No prior knowledge of Dogen’s works will be necessary to participate in this practice period. In addition to the Gyoji fascicle, we will examine what Continuous Practice has meant to other ancestors, in other traditions, and people living in both lay and monastic life. The Gyoji fascicle can be found here:   Dogen Gyoji – Francis Cook

We will have optional cohort groups to share our challenges and insights as we practice Ango. If you would like to be part of a cohort group please indicate on your registration form. We are asking that everyone who is participating in Ango, officially register. That way we will have an email list for correspondence. Groups will meet every week with a ZCO teacher. We ask that you commit to attending your group each week.

With our lives as the path, winding in seemingly more unfamiliar curves, this is a particularly rich time to investigate the mind coming home in Continuous Practice. 

We have created a  form to support your Ango commitment to intensified practice. We invite you to select three of the six practice areas, Meditation, Service to the Sangha, Study, Environmental Justice, Collective Liberation and Retreat Practice. Here is the link to the form with more information about each practice area: 2020 Ango Commitment Form