Spring Practice Period

2010

March 28 – April 25

 

Practice Period has its roots in the “rains retreat” during the time of Shakyamuni Buddha in India, a time when the monks gathered together, intensifying their meditation and study under the guidance of their teacher.  This pattern of seasonal intensive practice continues to this day, having taken root in China, then Korea and Japan and now in most American Zen Centers. In Japan, this seasonal coming together is called Ango , or peaceful dwelling.  Dogen Zenji opened a Practice Period in 1245 with the following words:

During this practice period, make each moment the top of your head. Don’t regard this as the beginning. Don’t regard this as going beyond. Even if you see it as the beginning, kick it away. Even if you see it as going beyond, stomp on it. Then you are not bound by beginning or going beyond...Dogen took up the whisk, drew a circle and said, “Dwell peacefully in this nest.”

You are all invited to join as Practice Period Participants. All of us will benefit as we “turn up the burner” of our practice for this one month period.  A Commitment Petition needs to be completed (with discussion with teachers as needed).  It is expected that participants will attend on March 28th and April 25th which mark the opening and closing of this Practice Period.  A written commitment to increase formal practice in three ways is also required:

 

1)   sitting at the zendo

2)   sitting at home

3)   meeting with teachers in deep inquiry

 

May our efforts in this Spring Ango allow us all to see more clearly!

 

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Practice Period Petition

 

I wish to participate in the Spring 2010 Practice Period, and commit to increasing my formal practice in the following ways:

 

1) sitting at the zendo _____________________________________

 

2) sitting at home ________________________________________

 

3) meeting with teachers in deep inquiry

 

This will involve keeping a Practice Journal as well as regular meetings with Susan and/or Dennis.

 

The text for the month will be Dogen’s Genjokoan. Each week we will sit with a line from this pivotal text, letting it penetrate deeply, breath by breath.

 

                             Signed __________________________________