Tassajara Fall 2026 Practice Period, ZMC 9/23–12/19

Practice Center
Date / Time
Sep 23, 2026 / 12:00pm - Dec 19, 2026 / 12:00pm
Event Type
Practice Periods
Description

The 116th Practice Period at Tassajara
Led by Abbot Dōshin Mako Voelkel
September 23 – December 19, 2026


Ango (Practice Period) offers a rare opportunity for experienced practitioners to immerse themselves in the intimacy and rigor of monastic practice at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji).


First Month Only Option

Because there are many sangha members who would appreciate the opportunity to participate in the forms of a traditional ango but aren't able to take three months away from their lives or work, this Tassajara practice period will offer an opportunity for a few practitioners to attend the first month only. During the first month there will be an emphasis on training in the Zen monastic forms and embodying their role in the practice of awakening.

  • Prerequisites for participating in the first month of the practice period include having sat at least one traditional sesshin and the recommendation of a Zen teacher.

Participants for the first month will sit a minimum of two days of tangaryo. Please review the information and documents below the prerequisites section on this page and fill out the application, which includes an option for this one-month participation.


To be considered for the full Fall 2026 practice period at Tassajara the following prerequisites must be fully met:

  • Completion of at least one two-month residential practice period at San Francisco Zen Center’s City Center or Green Gulch Farm. An exception may be made for those with comparable practice experience elsewhere; the applicant is asked to submit a letter of recommendation from their teacher.
  • Commitment to participate in the full three months
  • Submitting a completed application.
  • 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

* Applying as soon as possible helps Tassajara with the logistics of planning for the practice period; priority of acceptance will be given to those who apply early.

We encourage all students to be fully vaccinated against Covid. In addition, testing and masking protocols may take place during the first few days of the practice period. Please carefully review the Tassajara Health & Safety Protocols.

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*: $4,000 US, 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.

Fees for one-month participation*: $1,700 US, which covers room, board and tuition. Payment in full is required BEFORE arrival at Tassajara.

*As basic operating expenses for the practice period are in excess of $5,000 per student, we kindly invite those who are able to consider making an additional donation. For the one-month option, similar considerations apply.

Practice Period Application