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Ango at Kanshoji

A group composed of experienced monks, leaders of dojos, boddhisattvas, some Kanshoji residents and others came together at the monastery from 13^th October to 13^th December. Together they lived ango, monastic practice, for two uninterrupted months. Ango means dwelling in tranquility far from ordinary concerns, far from the dust and noise of the world.

Each one faced with him or herself, absorbed in daily practice over a sustained period of time. All practiced zazen, the meal ceremony, and slept together in the dojo. Together as well for the ceremonies, for study and for samu (which was limited during this time to the essential tasks of daily life). All together in the traditional forms of Soto Zen practice.

Through this practice of solidarity, of self-forgetfulness, of great attention to others, we return unconsciously, naturally, automatically to Buddha life, to the original condition of the body-mind. Of course, that calls for a spirit of giving and for disciplined attentiveness.

The ango ended with the rohatsu sesshin which commemorates Buddha's awakening and is marked by a silent practice centered on zazen. Over fifty people took part.

The magic of ango worked and all returned home happy, openhearted, different to what he or she had been at the beginning, moved by a deeper faith in the practice.

other actuality

• Our first fuse week
• Two Summer Camps this Year at Kanshoji !
• Meeting of the European teachers of Soto Zen at Kanshoji
• the progress of the construction
• “So long as the monks come together the sangha will prosper”
• 40th Anniversary of Soto Zen in Europe Symposium: Universality of Buddhism 8-10 June
• Summercamp 2006