Jikoji Winter Practice Period 2025

Continuous Practice on the Path of Inconceivable Liberation

Ango (a Japanese term for a period of intensive practice) is a time of deep engagement with our vow to fully awaken for the sake of all beings. During Ango, we take great care with our bodhisattva practice, including home practice, sesshin practice, and participation in the life of the sangha. This tradition dates from the time of the Buddha, and we continue a modern incarnation of this ancient tradition.

This year our theme is Continuous Practice on the Path of Inconceivable Liberation. We will be studying Bob Thurman's translation of The Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti, using the wondrous teachings of this lay bodhisattva as a cornerstone of our effort to expand our practice from the zendo to our day-to-day lives to the whole world! In addition to Thursday night book studies, we will incorporate gatha work into our daily practice and meet at Jikoji for days of mindful walking, mindful gardening, and mindful cooking (and eating!)

Our first book study is January 16 at 5:30 PST.

I would like to meet with each participant before the book study begins to set individual plans of action for the period, either here at Jikoji or in Zoomland.

Thank you for your interest,

Tetsuhō Christopher Kolon

BOOK STUDY SCHEDULE:

1. January 16: Welcome to the Multi-verse! An Introduction to the Sutra

2. January 23: Chuck Hutchcraft speaks on the Inconceivable Liberation

3. January 30: When Two is not One is not Two, The Reconciliation of Dichotomies

4. February 06: Tom Toland Speaking on Upaya or Skillful Means

5. February 13: Gender is Not a Concept, The Goddess Chapter

6. February 20: Reirin Gumbel speaking on Engaged Buddhism

7. February 27: Fragrant Awakening, the Emptiness of Dharma

8. March 06: Anne Johnson speaking on the Awakened Heart

9. March 13: Is Poetry the Door to the Inconceivable Liberation?