Kannon Do Practice Period 2026
Slowing Down Time and Celebration of Sangha
October 31 – December 13, 2026
Format: Hybrid (In Person at Kannon Do & Online via Zoom)
Registration Window: until Sunday, October 25, 2026
What is Practice Period?
Kannon Do is holding its first fall practice period (Ango), a traditional season of deepened, communal Zen practice. It offers a dedicated opportunity to intensify your daily practice on your own and alongside our sangha. Participants make a personal commitment to zazen, Dharma study, chanting, ceremonies, and shared inquiry.
Each person sets their own intentions and commitments for the practice period and is encouraged to attend as many of the activities as are feasible. Whether you are new to Zen or have practiced for years, you are warmly welcome to join.
“Formal events structure the practice period, but they do not constitute it. What happens in your own body and mind as you live the days, weeks, and months of practice period is what matters most. Please give thought to how you personally would like to engage with this practice period in the registration form.
Theme & Text: The Diamond Sutra 
The focus for this year’s practice period is The Diamond Sutra (translated by Red Pine, download PDF 1.8MB), one of the central texts of Mahayana Buddhism. It explores how to apply one’s efforts to releasing both our grasping of phenomena and our adherence to fixed ideas and ways of thinking.
All conditioned phenomena
Are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow,
Like dew or a flash of lightning;
Thus should we meditate upon them.
— Diamond Sutra
Guiding Teacher: Zoketsu Norman Fischer
The practice period will be led by Zoketsu Norman Fischer, founder of Everyday Zen and Guiding Teacher at Kannon Do. Norman has been a Zen Buddhist priest and teacher for nearly 40 years, serving as abbot for the San Francisco Zen Center from 1995-2000. Norman is a poet, an often-published author, and one of the most highly respected Zen teachers in America.
His teaching has long reached beyond the zendo. He served for many years as board chair of the Zen Hospice Project, where he is now chair emeritus, and he teaches at the Metta Institute, which trains caregivers for the dying. With Rabbi Alan Lew, he co-founded Makor Or, a Jewish meditation center in San Francisco, and he has taken part in interreligious dialogue, including conferences with the Dalai Lama. His books on Zen include What Is Zen? (with Susan Moon), Training in Compassion, When You Greet Me I Bow, and The World Could Be Otherwise: Imagination and the Bodhisattva Path. He has also published more than fifteen volumes of poetry.
Shuso (Head Student): Brenda Shin Sen Golianu
Each practice period is led by a senior practitioner from the sangha. This year, Brenda Shin Sen (Deep Stream) Golianu will serve as Shuso. Brenda began practicing at Kannon Do with Les Kaye in 1987, while in medical school, and has practiced here ever since. She received Tokudo (priesthood) with Les Kaye in 2015. At Kannon Do she has served as Treasurer, Board Member, and President, among other roles, and for many years she led the monthly “Zen in Life” workshop series on the challenges and gifts of combining a life of dharma, work, and family.
Brenda is a practicing physician and Professor of Anesthesiology and Pediatric Pain Management at Stanford, and a wife, mother, and grandmother. Throughout her working life she has combined a committed practice with a busy clinical and academic career and a family, and she believes in leading by example. She will take a six-week sabbatical to devote herself fully to the role of Shuso.
Zen practice periods include two important ritual ceremonies for the Shuso. The Shuso Entering Ceremony installs the Shuso into their position and begins the Practice Period. The Practice Period culminates with the Dharma Inquiry Ceremony (Shuso Hossenshiki) during which the Shuso responds to questions from practice period participants. All Practice Period participants are strongly encouraged to attend these important rituals (in person or online).
Practice Meetings & Community Support
- Practice Partners: Every participant will be paired with a practice partner to meet 2–3 times during the practice period to reflect on intentions, share experiences, and support one another. You may request a specific partner or have one assigned. If issues come up with your Practice Partner, please let the Shuso know.
- Tea with the Shuso: Small-group teas, held both at Kannon Do and online via Zoom, offer an informal setting to meet with Brenda and discuss your practice. Sign-up schedules will open immediately after the practice period begins.
- Teacher Meetings: Individual Dharma discussions (dokusan) with affiliate teachers will be offered as schedules permit.
Schedule
Details on opening and closing ceremonies and other individual events during the Practice Period will be posted to the Events section of the website. In addition, all practice period registrants will receive a weekly email that provides the events and activities for the upcoming week.
All activities will be hybrid, in person and on Zoom, unless otherwise indicated.
Note that there will be a weekly dharma activity from 9 to 11 am and also other workshops – details to be announced.
Recurring Weekly Schedule
| Day & Time | Activity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday 5:30–6:10 am 7:30–8:00 am |
Zazen & Chanting | Silent sitting and morning service. Aim for once daily if feasible. |
| Tuesday & Thursday 12:00–12:30 pm |
Midday Zazen | Midday sitting for those working remotely or nearby. |
| Monday to Friday 5:30–6:10 pm |
Evening Zazen | Evening Sitting |
| Wednesdays 5:00 pm–7:00 pm |
Weekly Dharma Seminar | Lecture, reflection, and small/large group study on The Diamond Sutra. Zazen 5:00–5:30 pm Lecture 5:30–6:10 pm Discussion 6:30–7:00 pm |
| Saturday 5:30–10:10 am |
Usual Saturday Program | Note that there will be a Practice Period dharma activity 10:30 am–12:00 pm on Saturday. |
| Sunday 7:30–8:00 am |
Zazen | Zoom Zazen (online only) with Everyday Zen |
Key Dates, All Day Sittings & Ceremonies
| Date | Time | Event & Description |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 31 | 8:00 am–5:00 pm | Practice Period Opening & One-Day Sitting Extended sitting concluding with the formal Shuso Entering Ceremony. |
| Nov 21 | 8:00 am–5:00 pm | One-Day Silent Sitting Full day of zazen, walking meditation, and practice inquiry. |
| Nov 24 | 7:00 pm–8:30 pm | Full Moon Ceremony (Ryaku Fusatsu) Traditional monthly ritual of repentance, atonement, and vow renewal. |
| Dec 10–13 (Thu–Sun) |
Multi-day schedule | Rohatsu Sesshin Intensive meditation retreat commemorating the Buddha’s enlightenment. Priority in-person seating for Practice Period participants. |
| Dec 13 | Morning | Shuso Hossenshiki & Closing Ceremony The practice period culminates in the Dharma Inquiry ceremony with lively Dharma combat exchange, followed by the closing celebration. |
Suggested Baseline Commitment
To help you gauge your participation, we encourage participants to aim for:
- Zazen: Sitting with the sangha (in person or online) at least once a day, or as often as your schedule allows.
- Study: Attending the Wednesday Dharma Seminar (5:30 PM).
- Sangha Connection: Attending at least one Tea with the Shuso and 2–3 check-ins with your assigned Practice Partner.
- Ceremonies & Retreats: Attending the Opening and Closing ceremonies, and participating in the all-day sittings or Rohatsu Sesshin to the extent possible.
Enrollment & Dana
Enrollment will close on Sunday, October 25.
Enroll in Practice Period 2026
Suggested Dana:
Kannon Do relies on community generosity to offer activities in person and online:
- Practice Period Registration: Suggested sliding scale of $100 – $250+ to cover overall coordination, administration, and hybrid infrastructure.
- All-Day Sittings & Rohatsu Sesshin: Handled with separate suggested donations upon specific event registration.
- Financial Access: Contributions are completely voluntary; financial limitations should never prevent anyone from participating. Full scholarships and volunteer work-exchange options are freely available.
Questions?
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.
Details on opening and closing ceremonies and other individual events during the Practice Period will be posted to the Events section of the website. In addition, all practice period registrants will receive a weekly email that provides the events and activities for the upcoming week.
