Fall 2021 Practice Period at Tassajara

Practice Center
Date / Time
Sep 13, 2021 / 12:00pm - Dec 12, 2021 / 3:00pm
Event Type
Practice Periods
Description

The 106th Practice Period at Tassajara

Led by Senior Dharma Teacher Ryushin Paul Haller

September 13 – December 12, 2021

Applications (below, under prerequisites) are due by August 23 [due date has been extended].

The Tassajara leadership and staff are assuming that by the start of the practice period everyone will have been vaccinated and it won't be necessary to be socially distanced.

The intense schedule and atmosphere of a traditional Zen Ango (Practice Period) are for the purpose of helping us to go beyond our usual senses of self so that we can enter the wide open life of the Buddha. Kindness and love for one another will be our watchwords as we negotiate the way together for these precious few months.

Tassajara’s ninety-day practice period follows the traditional Soto Zen monastic schedule. The practice period is a rare opportunity for experienced practitioners to participate in the intensive practice at Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji).

The following prerequisites for the Fall 2021 practice period at Tassajara must be fulfilled in total for your application to be considered:

  • Completion of at least one two-month residential practice period at San Francisco Zen Center’s City Center or Green Gulch Farm
  • Commitment to complete the full three months
  • Submitting a complete application before the deadline
  • Tuition paid in full before the start of the practice period or use of a practice period credit earned before arrival and approved by the applications committee

SEASONAL WEATHER CONCERNS

Based on our past experience, we expect that the seasonal rains will bring additional challenges to the monastery. These challenges include potential flooding as well as debris flow, slides, and erosion risks along the Tassajara road and throughout the valley. Due to these potential hazards, Tassajara practice period participants have been requested to sign a Waiver of Liability which is included as a part of the online application form.

Important Practice Period Documents:

Fee Information

Practice Period Fees*: $3,600 US (plus $30 application fee), which covers room, board and tuition. Payment in full is required BEFORE arrival at Tassajara unless another arrangement is made in advance with the director. A scholarship (which includes room, board, and tuition) may be earned by participating in the Work Practice Apprenticeship Program during the summer before the practice period.

*As the basic operating expenses for the practice period are in excess of $4,500 per student, please consider donating more if you are able.

The $30 application fee is required for applicants who are not currently in residence at SFZC and must be paid at the same time the application is submitted. All applications and fees must be submitted electronically.