led by Hogetsu Laurie Belzer, ADZG Guiding Teacher
Sunday March 22, 2026 – Sunday May 17, 2026
Registration is now closed.

This year’s ADZG Practice Commitment Period, our householder ango (practice period), explores meditative buddhist practices centered in the wish for all beings to be happy, safe, and peaceful, In the midst of everyday life, participants engage in 8-weeks of intensified zen practice. As urban monks during the PCP, you will join dragon dharma companions in defining personal schedules with common elements.  Each participant designs a practice commitment sheet and commits to a personal schedule to enter deeply into the three realms of zen practice: zazen/meditation, dharma study, and sangha. 
Distant and online practitioners are welcome.  
You will receive a week by week practice period outline and study guide after you register and complete your Practice Commitment Sheet. 

Some key components are:

• • Practice Commitment Sheet:  A personalized practice guide that sustainably fits your life situation. Use the button below to download the sheet to preview the details.
  • Sesshin: The PCP commences with a one day sesshin on March 22, 2026 and concludes on Sunday with a 3 day sesshin (May 15-17, 2026) that includes a Dharma Inquiry Ceremony with the shuso (head student). Early sign-up is encouraged; try to attend at least 2 days of sesshin.
  • Weekly Sunday Dharma Talks will focus on PCP theme and explore practices including zazen, chanting, the Four Immeasurables (Brahmaviharas), and home rituals.
  • Weekly Monday Evening Practice Conversations will include talks by our shuso and tantos, and group discussions with PCP participant practice sharing.  
  • Thursday Morning Dharma: The zazen and dharma event on Thursdays at 8am Central will focus on these teachings and participant sharing.
  • Shuso Tea: The shuso (head student) shares the teaching seat with the guiding teacher. The shuso’s assistant (benji) will invite small groups of participants for tea with the shuso.
  • Dharma Buddy: All participants will be paired with a “PCP buddy”.  
  • Sangha Service Opportunities and Temple Workdays: Participate in at least two service events. Try out a greeter or doan job, serve tea, prep sesshin meals, use your creative skill to adorn the temple, or help organize our library – your service creates sangha.

Recommended texts:
Lovingkindness: The revolutionary art of happiness by Sharon Salzberg
The Little Book of Zen Healing by Paula Arai

Registration and Information

Registration for the Practice Commitment Period involves three steps:

• First, register for the Practice Commitment Period: fill out the form below. Please register by Monday, March 16, 2026.
  Suggested Donation: $150.00* (Does not include additional donations for all-day sittings/sesshin).
  * Donations are suggested and offered on a self-determined sliding scale: based on your situation, you determine the amount of your contribution using the online sign-up form below. Donations that exceed the suggested amount help us to widely share the dharma.
• Second, download and fill out the commitment sheet found by clicking the button below, and email the completed PCP commitment sheet to hogetsu.laurie@gmail.com.
• Third, register for the all-day sittings (March 22, May 15-17) you wish to attend on their respective calendar links on the website.
• Questions?  Email or speak to Hogetsu!