Ango

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An ango (安居, ango^?), or kessei, is a Japanese term for a three month long period of intense training for students of Zen Buddhism, lasting anywhere from 90 to 100 days.^[1] They are typically held twice a year, the first period from spring to summer and the second period from fall to winter.^[2] The word ango literally translates as "dwelling in peace"; the summer ango is referred to as ge-ango and the winter period is u-ango.^[3] During an ango practice consists of zazen, study, and samu (work).^[4] Concerning Zen practice in the United States, author Ellen Birx writes, "Many centers now allow members to attend retreats on a part-time basis. Many have ango, a three-month long period of intensified practice, that members can participate in while continuing to go off to work during the day."^[5] Taigen Dan Leighton writes a more traditional definition, "These are ninety-day training periods of concentrated practice without leaving the monastic enclosure (except for monks going out for necessary temple business). They date back to the summer rainy season retreats of Shakyamuni's time. In Japan, they have been held twice a year, summer and winter."^[6] Additionally, some monasteries and Zen centers hold just one ango per year, such as the Zen Mountain Monastery led by John Daido Loori.^[7]