The 115th Practice Period at Tassajara
Led by Abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman
(January 6th - April 2nd)
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).
When Shakyamuni Buddha was on Vulture Peak, he twirled a flower before the assembly. Everyone was silent. Only Maha-Kashapa smiled. Buddha said: `I have the eye treasury of the true teaching, the heart of Nirvana, the true form of non-form, and the ineffable gate of Dharma. It is a special transmission outside the teaching. I now entrust it to Maha-Kashapa.'
━ Gateless Gate, Case 6, and Denkoroku/Transmission of the Light, Case 2
Realization is intimacy with all things.
━ Dogen Zenji
In Zen Buddhism, the "transmission of light" metaphorically refers to the direct transfer of “enlightenment” or profound insight into reality and one's “true nature” from a teacher to a student. This process, described as "a special transmission outside the scriptures, not founded upon words and letters,” establishes the disciple as a successor in an unbroken lineage of awakened ancestors that theoretically traces back to Shakyamuni Buddha.
This concept is famously documented in the Denkōroku (The Record of Transmitting the Light), a classic koan collection written in 1300 by the Japanese Zen master Keizan Jōkin, and considered to be essential reading for Zen students. This inspiring text explores the non-dualistic mind of awakening as it was experienced, witnessed, and passed through fifty-three generations of dharma teachers. In each case, Keizan presents the koan of a particular ancestor’s realization and then offers his commentary to elucidate its significance, always encouraging Zen students to understand their own practice and path, including recognizing that awakening is not something separate from everyday life.
During this traditional three-month ango or practice period, we will explore the concept of “awakening” in Buddhism and Zen: what’s meant by the term, characteristics of awakening, why it seems so elusive, processes and practices that support awakening, the place of ‘self’, emotions, and ethical conduct in realization, as well as Dogen’s idea of practice-realization (Shushō Ittō) and the importance of the ongoing effort to integrate our deepest insights into everyday life. Our endeavors throughout will be toward becoming more intimate with our own dharma “light” and capacity to awaken to a life of embodied freedom, wisdom, and compassion.
Besides the Denkoroku, our study will include readings from The Hidden Lamp: Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women, and In this Body, In this Lifetime: Awakening Stories of Japanese Soto Zen Women.
First Month Only Option: January 6 – February 3, 2026
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 for 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.
*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).
To be considered for the full Winter 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 before the deadline (November 15)
- 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:
Practice Period Fees*: $3,780 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.
Fees for one-month participation*: $1,575 US (plus $30 application fee), 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 $4,725 per student, we kindly invite those who are able to consider making an additional donation. For the one-month option, similar considerations apply.
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.
Application deadline is Saturday, November 15, 2025.