Monastery Winter Practice Period

A practice period — in Japanese Zen, an ango — is an extended season of shared, concentrated training, a bigger commitment than a weekend or weeklong retreat. This one runs February 2 through March 28, 2027, nearly eight weeks, and the listing describes it as residential: participants live at Great Vow Zen Monastery for the duration.

The listing names the components of the period:

• Zazen (seated meditation)
• Work practice (hands-on labor treated as part of training)
• Classes
• Retreats within the period
• Formal meals
• Community sharing

The stated focus — "natural expression of love and creativity in monastic life" — signals that the period is framed around how practice carries into daily living, not sitting alone. The listing doesn't explain how that theme is explored.

Not published in the listing: the teachers, a daily schedule, fees, or whether an application or interview is required. The signup link points to the center's calendar page. Living at a monastery for nearly two months is a significant commitment — contact Great Vow directly about costs, housing, and how to apply before planning around it.