FAQ

A practice period (ango) is a set season of fuller commitment to zazen, study, ceremony and practice with others. Kannon Do’s first fall practice period runs six weeks, from October 31 to December 13, 2026. Guiding Teacher Norman Fischer leads it, and Brenda Golianu serves as Shuso (head student).

Yes. The practice period is open to newcomers and long-time practitioners alike. If you haven’t sat zazen before, you can ask for sitting instruction on the enrollment form.

Each participant sets their own intentions and commitments. As a baseline, we suggest:

• sitting with the sangha once a day if you can, in person or online
• the Wednesday Dharma Seminar (weekly)
• at least one Tea with the Shuso
• the meetings with your practice partner
• the Opening and Closing Ceremonies
• the all-day sittings or Rohatsu Sesshin, as much as you’re able

Formal events structure the practice period, but they do not constitute it. What happens in your own body and mind as you live these weeks is what matters most.

The weekday sitting times were chosen so that people with jobs and varied schedules can find one that fits: 5:30 am, 7:30 am, 12:00 noon (Tuesday and Thursday), and 5:30 pm. We ask everyone to offer their best effort, while also honoring the people who support us at home, at work and elsewhere in our lives.

Yes. Almost every activity is hybrid, held at Kannon Do and on Zoom. Teas with the Shuso are offered both in person and online.

Fill out the Enrollment Form by Sunday, October 25. You’ll get a confirmation email once it’s submitted. Registering also adds you to the weekly practice period email, which lists each upcoming week’s events and activities.

It asks for:

• your contact details
• your work and family situation
• your experience with spiritual practice
• your intentions for the practice period
• what support you’d like
• your practice partner preference
• which activities interest you
• any accessibility or dietary needs

Your answers are read by the Shuso and the practice period coordinators, and are not shared beyond them.

Kannon Do depends on donations (dana). We suggest a tax-deductible donation of $100–$250 on a sliding scale, or more if you can. This covers coordination and the in-person and online setup. The all-day sittings, Rohatsu Sesshin will each have their own suggested donation. Scholarships are available, and you can also help by volunteering your time. Money should never keep anyone out. Here’s the link to donate.

Each participant meets with a partner 2–3 times to share intentions and reflect on practice. You choose one of three options on the form:

• you already have a partner
• you’d like one assigned
• you’d rather not have one

If you want a particular person, agree with them before you submit, then each of you enters the other’s name. If problems come up with your partner, let the Shuso know.

Small-group conversations with Brenda about your practice, held at Kannon Do and/or online. Sign-ups open once the practice period begins.

Optional activities run on weekdays from 9:00 to 11:00 am and on Saturdays from 10:30 am to 12:00 noon. On the form you can mark the ones that interest you:

• Zendo roles: bell training, doan training (doan is the zendo role that sounds the bells and other instruments during services)
• Forms and retreat practices: forms training, oryoki (the formal style of eating used at retreats), traditional retreat serving methods, sutra copying
• Kitchen and grounds: cooking, baking, garden work
• Study and discussion: a book study of Norman Fischer’s The World Could Be Otherwise: Imagination and the Bodhisattva Path, Zen Discussion (Demystifying Zen), Zen in Life Discussion
• Other: calligraphy, chanting, sitting instruction, podcast creation

Activities are scheduled around the interest shown and may not all be offered. The weekly email will have the details.

The Diamond Sutra, in Red Pine’s translation. It’s studied in the Wednesday Dharma Seminar:

• 5:00–5:30 pm: zazen
• 5:30–6:10 pm: lecture
• 6:30–7:00 pm: discussion

• October 31: the Shuso Entering Ceremony closes the opening one-day sitting and begins the practice period.
• November 24: the Full Moon Ceremony (Ryaku Fusatsu), a monthly ritual of repentance and renewal of vows.
• December 13: the Shuso Hossenshiki (Dharma Inquiry Ceremony). Participants ask the Shuso questions, and the Closing Ceremony follows.

We strongly encourage everyone to attend, in person or online.

The one-day sittings are October 31 and November 21, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Rohatsu Sesshin runs December 10–13. Each needs its own sign-up, in person or online, and has its own suggested donation. Practice period participants get priority for in-person places.

Individual meetings with affiliate teachers are offered as schedules allow. On the form you can also ask for scheduled practice discussions with senior sangha members, a sitting posture assessment, or training in forms.

Tell us on the enrollment form.

Please ask one of the priests of Kannon Do if you have any questions (Brenda, Travis and Umar), or Dan (Board President), or use our contact form to send us a question and we will get back to you as soon as possible.