The 108th Practice Period at Tassajara
Led by Green Gulch Farm Abiding Abbess Fu Schroeder
September 26 – December 20, 2022
Application (below, under prerequisites) due date is September 9
The Dog and the Fox
During this three-month practice period we will view Zen practice through the lens of two classic Zen koans: "Does a Dog Have Buddha Nature?" and "Hyakujo and the Fox." These teaching stories can help to illuminate the two truths about ourselves and the world—the ultimate truth and the relative truth. Understanding and practicing in the light of these truths, the Buddha said, will set us free.
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).
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Tassajara is offering a free practice period for Fall 2022 to anyone who has completed at least one Tassajara practice period and would be interested in working in the kitchen. An application (see below) will need to be submitted, but no payment or use of practice period credits will be required. Please contact the Tassajara director at zmcdirector@sfzc.org before September 9 for details. |
The following prerequisites for the Fall 2022 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; application due date is September 9
- 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:
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 practice period credit (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.
