Spring Ango 2022: Authentic Teachers and Householder Zen Practice
March 26 - May 21
This Ango we continue our deep dive on the Daily Liturgy with the Heart Sutra, and introduce Dōgen’s guidance for householders on finding a true teacher.
We also introduce our new shuso (Chief Disciple) for this Ango, Rev. Kaishin. Kaishin will lead the Ango from the first seat and will engage in Dharma Combat with the sangha at the Ango closing Shuso Hossen Ceremony. Through the Ango, Rev. Kaishin will offer a weekly blog post (Mondays), and a weekly series of short videos (Thursdays) regarding practice and Temple life.
What more fitting way to begin this Ango than with Rev. Kaishin’s letter to the sangha on the occasion of stepping into the Shuso seat:
Dear Sangha,
As these winter days begin to lengthen and we anticipate the greening of the temple grounds, we also find ourselves on the threshold of Spring Ango. In this past year, these grounds and this Sangha have been witness to four more ordinations, a Temple Grand Opening ceremony, Do’on Sensei’s Denbo transmission, a wedding, a funeral, a Jukai ceremony, a Shoken ceremony and countless more liturgical services. And yet all of these wonderful events, housed in our beautiful new Temple, serve as an invitation to turn back to the seat of practice and the question of how we are to manifest our practice in our daily lives. Dōgen Zenji, the founder of our Soto tradition, offered some advice to this end. During this Ango, our teachers will be drawing from “Dōgen’s Instruction for Householder Zen Training”, a recent translation by Dosho Port.
When Rinsen Roshi and Do’on Sensei asked me to serve the community as Shuso (chief disciple) for the Spring Ango training period, I was deeply grateful and more than a little intimidated. While it has always been an honour to serve this Sangha over the years, taking on this role brings up a lot of questions in the realm of ‘How do I do this?’
What does it mean to serve as a model of practice on a path we all must walk ourselves?
What does it mean to be Shuso from the perspective of a priest?
How can I manifest as a model of practice for this community when I live in another country?
Like all of the best and most important questions we encounter in our practice, they do not need an answer as much as they need living.
As I live into these questions, I am immensely grateful for the guidance of my teachers, to be able to practice with those who have walked this path before.
I have found so much strength in this practice. Ultimately we find it in ourselves, but I uncovered mine through developing my connection to the Three Treasures, the lineage of ancestors, the precepts, my fellow practitioners and especially my teachers.
Our teachers, and everything about our practice, invite us to turn back to this question of how to train and practice in the world. As Bodhisattvas we are called to manifest Wisdom and Compassion. How do we do this in the midst of a world that is shaken by disease, war and injustice? How do we manifest it with our partner, our coworkers, our friends and those who are not so dearly held? These are questions we can live into together.
May we live into this practice with the guidance of our teachers and this lineage and may our efforts this Ango tenderize our own hearts and lead to the alleviation of suffering of all beings.
In Gassho,
Reverend Kaishin
Rev. Kaishin will make his practice very visible from the Chief Discipline’s seat. At the same time, every Ango each of us is called to look for meaningful and workable ways to deepen our bodhisattva practice. You can find many ideas for inspiration on our Ango page. This Ango, Our Teachers also especially encourage you to increase your time practicing with the Sangha, if possible. There are many options to choose from, including classic practice opportunities like sesshin retreats, and also newer offerings such as Morning zazen and liturgy in person and streaming at 7AM daily Tuesday-Friday.
Ango Texts
Our Teachers will draw from this reading for Dharma Talks.
Dōgen’s Instruction for Householder Zen Training. Translation and introduction by Dōshō Port Roshi.
Sangha Circles
Sign-up for Sangha Circles is open through March 19 for Temple Members! Online and in person options will be available. (What’s a Sangha Circle?)
Ango Events
Weekly Events
Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri 7AM - Morning zazen and liturgy, with Dokusan on Thursday. [Members Only In Person, Public Facebook and YouTube]
Wed 7:30PM - Temple Sutra Service and Meditation, with Dokusan [Public In Person, Facebook and YouTube]
Sun 10AM - Zen Meditation for Beginners [Public In Person Only]
Sun 11AM - Temple Sutra Service and Meditation [Public In Person, Facebook and YouTube]
Monthly Events
First Sunday of each month after Temple Service, except after sesshin - Potluck [Public In Person Only]
Second and Fourth Monday of each month 7:00PM - Online Book Club [Members Only]
Last Friday of each month 6:30PM, except during sesshin - Game Night [Members and Guests, In Person Only]
March
23-26 Thurs-Sun - Sesshin [Members Only, In Person Only]
26 Sun 11AM - Ango Opening Ceremony [Public Online and In Person]
Welcoming Rev. Kaishin as our Shuso (Chief Disciple) for this Ango.
Opening Ceremony will be followed by lunch, then a hike around the Temple grounds to the new Abbacy where tea will be served.
26 Sun 11AM - Dharma School
April
1 Sat 2PM - Ango Workshop 1 of 2: “The Heart Sutra” [Members Only, Hybrid]
8 Sat 6PM - Teen Dharma
9 Sun 2PM - Zendo Foundations and Liturgy Basics [In Person Only]
13 Thur 7PM - New Moon White Tara Sadhana [Members Only, In Person Only]
15 Sat 9AM - Sangha Sewing Day [Members Only, In Person Only]
16 Sun 11AM - Dharma School
16 Sun 2pm - Annual Ethics Workshop [Members Only, Hybrid]
All Temple Members are required to attend or watch the recording.
20-23 Thurs-Sun - Sesshin [Members Only, In Person Only]
23 Sun 11AM - Dharma School
29 Sat 2PM - Ango Workshop 2 of 2: “Body Practice” [Members Only, Hybrid]
30 Sun 11AM - Dharma School
May
6 Sat 6PM - Teen Dharma
7 Sun 11AM - Buddha’s Birthday Ceremony (Vesak) [Public Online and In Person]
7 Sun 11AM - Dharma School
15-21 Mon-Sun - Ango Closing Sesshin [Members Only, In Person Only]
Weeklong sesshin begins Monday evening.
21 Sun 11AM - Shuso Hossen / Ango Closing Ceremony [Public Online and In Person]
Closing Ceremony will be followed by lunch, then a hike around the Temple grounds to the new Abbacy where tea will be served.
