Dear Jennifer:

Wikipedia states that the word ango literally translates as “dwelling in peace’. It states: “ango a Japanese term for a three-month period of intense training for students of Zen Buddhism lasting anywhere from 90 to a100 days. The practice during ango consists of meditation (zazen), study, and work”. Also, many Buddhist centers allow members to attend retreats of a part-time basis, over a three month long period of intensified practice that members can participate in while continuing to go off to work during the day.

Maybe your friend does not have to show up late to the ango he planned on going to, and instead he can attend an ango in a different center, or monastery- on a part time basis or a full time. Until then, a Zen practice outside of any center can bring back to him that peace that he lost, so that he can be “dwelling in peace” again.

anita