Ango Intensive – Buddha Nature: Revealing the Jewel Within

This retreat centers on buddha nature—the idea that enlightenment is not something to attain but something to reveal—by studying two foundational texts side by side. Dogen's Buddha Nature fascicle from the Shobogenzo is read alongside the 4th-century Uttaratantra, a classical Indian Buddhist text. The pairing allows you to see how Dogen engaged with traditional teachings and what Soto Zen emphasizes about your fundamental nature.

The schedule integrates zazen (sitting meditation), mindfulness practice, chanting and liturgy, and group discussion. The center has not yet published the daily schedule, sitting-period structure, or lodging details. Contact Zen Center of New York City for specifics on accommodations, meals, and what to bring.

Ango intensives are traditionally practice periods focused on deepening understanding through sustained effort. This one pairs that intensity with textual study—a direct approach to the question of what buddha nature means in actual practice.