This retreat took place Saturday, August 29, 2026 – Saturday, August 29, 2026. View upcoming retreats at Zen Mountain Monastery.

Saturday
29
August 2026

Ango Opening Zazenkai

Soto Zen

Soto Zenday-sitsilentzazendokusan

One-day zazenkai marking the opening of ango (the traditional three-month practice period). Features zazen, liturgy, dokusan, a formal talk, and oryoki lunch. Designed for both experienced students deepening their practice and newer students preparing for sesshin.

About this retreat

Ango — the traditional three-month intensive practice period in Zen monasteries — opens each autumn and spring. This one-day zazenkai marks that opening at Zen Mountain Monastery, bringing the community together for a day structured around zazen (seated meditation), chanting, and formal practice.

The day includes periods of zazen, a face-to-face meeting with a teacher (dokusan), a formal talk, and oryoki — the traditional communal meal practice where students serve and eat in silence. For experienced practitioners, it's a chance to recommit to intensive practice. For those newer to Zen, it serves as preparation for longer sesshin (retreats), offering a taste of the schedule and forms you'll encounter.

The center has not yet published the specific schedule, teacher, or logistical details for this event. Contact Zen Mountain Monastery directly for more information.

View upcoming retreats

Originally listed on Zen Mountain Monastery's website.

Full details from Zen Mountain Monastery

A one-day zazenkai featuring periods of zazen, liturgy, a face-to-face meeting with a teacher, a formal talk, and oryoki lunch. An important practice for experienced students to deepen their practice and for newer students to prepare for sesshin.

Also at Zen Mountain Monastery03

Friday – Sunday

Sep 04 – Sep 06

Introduction to Zen Training Weekend

with Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Danica Shoan Ankele, Gokan Bonebakker

Zen Mountain Monastery

Rinzai Zen · residential · zazen
$300