Fall Practice Period

An ango is the traditional three-month Zen practice period, historically aligned with the monastic calendar. Appamada's Fall Practice Period follows this structure: 100 days of immersive residential practice, punctuated by formal ceremonies at entry and exit. This is not a single retreat but a sustained commitment—the kind of container where the texture of practice shifts over weeks rather than days.

The schedule centers on zazen (sitting meditation), dharma talks, and classes, with stated emphasis on "close contact with teachers." The opening intensive and Head Student Entry ceremony establish the container formally; the closing Rohatsu sesshin (the traditional December intensive commemorating the Buddha's awakening) and exit ceremony mark the completion. Between those bookends lies the gradual deepening that a three-month immersion can offer.

This format assumes residential commitment and is suited to practitioners who can step away for the season—whether ordained or lay practitioners on sabbatical. If you're exploring whether a practice period is the right move, contact the center directly about what participation looks like, what the daily schedule entails, and whether there are options for partial-period attendance.