Ango (a Japanese term for a period of intensive practice) is a time of deep engagement with our vow to fully awaken for the sake of all beings.
During Ango, we take great care with our bodhisattva practice, including home practice, sesshin practice, and participation in the life of the sangha. This tradition dates from the time of the Buddha, and we continue a modern incarnation of this ancient tradition.
Study of the Surangama Sutra
The word Surangama often translates to 'indestructible'. The attainment of Surangama Samadhi is said to exist completely free of all circumstances or conditions, even those that would be considered 'internal' . If I am practicing Surangama Samadhi, neither 'external' conditions, like an airplane flying overhead, nor 'internal' conditions, like thinking or sensations, will disrupt this Samadhi.
The Surangama Sutra tells the story of the Buddha Disciple Ananda, who, while on alms rounds, is enchanted by a a spell of a young woman, and comes to the very precipice of breaking his vow of celibacy. Sakyamuni Buddha sends the Bodhisattva Manjusri to save Ananda and bring him back to the monastery. There the Buddha begins a discourse on Surangama Samadhi, teaching Ananda of the path to liberation. Sakyamuni Buddha calls upon 25 sages to describe their individual practices that have brought them enlightenment, and asks the Bodhisattva Manjusri, wisest of beings, to discern which of these practices will suffice to guide Ananda to liberation. Manjusri chooses the practice held by the 25th sage to speak. Avalokiteshvara, the being who listens at ease to the cries of the world, speaks of a practice often called 'returning the listening.' It is this practice that Ananda adopts in his path to liberation.
In this practice period, we will study a large portion of the Surangama Sutra, We will explore impermanence and disillusionment in our meditation, and we will engage in the practice expounded by Avalokiteshvara in the Surangama Sutra, called 'returning the listening. ' To complete the study, we will visit the Heart of the Prajna Paramita Sutra and explore what is taught there in light of our new understanding of Surangama Samadhi.
We will meet as a group on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00pm Pacific Time, and participants will meet in pairs once a week at the time of their choosing.
