Ango Intensive – Turning Words and the Wellspring of Great Peace

What turning words mean in Zen

Turning words are pithy, paradoxical verses—often drawn from classical Zen literature—that function as teaching tools. They're meant to short-circuit conceptual thinking and point directly to the awakened mind. Master Hongzhi, a Song Dynasty Zen master, is celebrated for his turning words and for his teaching of shikantaza, or "just sitting"—practice without object, without striving toward a goal.

The retreat format

This three-day intensive combines the core elements of sesshin (intensive retreat practice): periods of silent zazen, meals taken in silence, and dokusan (private meetings with a teacher) if offered. The addition of turning word study and creative writing distinguishes this retreat from a standard silent sit. You'll work with Hongzhi's verses both intellectually and experientially—using writing as a way to investigate your direct encounter with the teachings rather than as literary exercise.

The calendar lists this as residential, which means you'll sleep, eat, and practice on-site. A typical sesshin day begins early (usually 4:30 or 5 a.m.), moves through multiple zazen periods separated by kinhin (walking meditation), includes a communal meal, and ends in evening. Noble silence—refraining from unnecessary speech to support the inward focus of practice—is observed throughout.

Location and what to expect

Zen Center of New York City's Fire Lotus Temple is based in Manhattan. The retreat is brief by sesshin standards, making it accessible for those new to intensive practice or constrained by schedule. Three days allows for a genuine shift in perception without requiring a full week's commitment.