Rinzai-ji Zen Center

### Context Profile for Rinzai-ji Zen Center

1. **Organization Mission & Cause:**
   - The Rinzai-ji Zen Center is dedicated to the practice and teaching of Zen Buddhism. Their mission is to provide a supportive environment for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of Zen through meditation, retreats, and community engagement. They emphasize the importance of mindfulness and the teachings of Zen masters, particularly focusing on the legacy of Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen.

2. **Type of Activities:**
   - **Retreats and Sesshin:** The center hosts various retreats, including the Darumaki Sesshin, which commemorates Bodhidharma's death. These retreats involve intensive meditation, Dharma talks, and opportunities for personal interviews with Zen teachers.
   - **Community Programs:** Regular events and teachings are offered to the community, fostering a space for individuals to practice Zen together.
   - **Workshops and Classes:** Educational programs are available to introduce participants to Zen practices and philosophies.

3. **Tone of Voice:**
   - The tone of the Rinzai-ji Zen Center's communications is **friendly**, **supportive**, and **inspiring**. The language is accessible, aiming to welcome individuals of all backgrounds to Zen practice. There is a balance between formality, especially when discussing teachings, and a warm, inviting tone when addressing participants.

4. **Emoji Usage:**
   - The organization does not appear to use emojis in their communications. Their content maintains a professional and respectful tone, which aligns with the traditional nature of Zen practices.

5. **Key Facts:**
   - **Founding Information:** Specific founding details are not prominently featured on the website, but the center is rooted in the teachings of Zen Buddhism.
   - **Scale:** The center has a robust schedule of activities, with 19 total forms and 22 email campaigns indicating active engagement with their community.
   - **Impact Metrics:** While specific metrics are not detailed, the organization emphasizes participation in retreats and community events, suggesting a focus on engagement and personal growth.
   - **Volunteer Information:** There is mention of work exchange or reduced fees for those experiencing financial hardship, indicating a commitment to inclusivity.

6. **Writing Guidelines:**
   - **Clarity and Simplicity:** Use clear and straightforward language to communicate ideas, ensuring accessibility for all readers.
   - **Respectful and Inviting:** Maintain a tone that is respectful of Zen traditions while being inviting to newcomers.
   - **Structured Information:** Present information in a well-organized manner, using headings and bullet points where appropriate to enhance readability.
   - **Personal Connection:** Incorporate personal touches, such as addressing readers directly and acknowledging their journey in Zen practice.

This context profile provides a comprehensive overview of the Rinzai-ji Zen Center, enabling AI assistants to generate tailored and relevant content that aligns with the organization's mission and values.

Full-time Ango Registration

Ozesshin Registration (5-day)

Ozesshin Registration  (12-day)

LXCL:This is a daily fee. Select number of day you’ll be participating. Requirement: One full day attendance.

Ozesshin Part-time Registration

Ango Registration (Pay by Check or Cash)

LXCL:For Weekend Kozesshin

Kozesshin Registration

Kozesshin Part-time

Summer Ango at Rinzai-ji Zen CenterJuly 25 &ndash; August 22, 2025 At the heart of traditional Zen monastic training is Ango, or &ldquo;peaceful dwelling&rdquo; &mdash; a period of intensive practice held twice a year for three months. The tradition dates back over 2,500 years to the time of the Buddha, when he and his disciples would remain in one place during the rainy season to devote themselves to meditation and study. Rinzai-ji Zen Center is honored to welcome Jiun Zenji&nbsp;of Shōgen Sōdō Monastery in Gifu, Japan, as the lead teacher for this year&rsquo;s Summer Ango. From Friday, July 25 to Friday, August 22, this one month intensive offers a rare and precious opportunity to engage deeply in Rinzai Zen training within a monastic-style schedule. While this Ango will not span the full three months of a traditional training term, it will feature a rigorous schedule of daily zazen, samu (work practice), chanting, 2 Weekend Zazenkais and&nbsp;5 &amp; 12-day sesshins. We warmly invite everyone &mdash; whether local or distant, resident or lay &mdash; to participate to the extent they are able. Practicing together in the midst of everyday life in a busy modern city challenges us to discover what remains unmoved even as the winds of life blow from every direction. Lead Teacher Jiun Varant Arslanian, head monk at Shōgen Sōdō, has been training in Rinzai Zen monasteries in Japan for nearly two decades. He began his training at Heirinji and now resides at Shōgenji. Jiun Zenji has led several sesshins and events at Rinzai-ji and currently serves as a practice advisor for training at the center. Rinzai-ji Resident Monks Myōren Yasukawa, originally from Tokyo, began her practice in Vancouver, Canada, where she practiced for three years, before moving to Los Angeles to begin her training under Jōshū Sasaki Rōshi for seven years. In 2020, she entered Shōgen Sōdō Monastery in Japan as an unsui (novice monk) engaging in over three years of monastic training. She now serves as the temple director at Rinzai-ji. Sōgen Yamamoto, from Gifu, Japan, completed a Zen-Humanities degree at Shōgen Junior College and trained for six years as an unsui at Shōgen Sōdō. He joined Rinzai-ji in 2023 and now serves as a practice leader, while also deepening his English studies. <hr fr-original-style="" style="clear: both; -webkit-user-select: none; break-after: page; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">Sesshin Schedule&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Kozesshin July 25 &ndash; 27&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;5-day Sesshin July 30 &ndash; August 3&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;12-day Sesshin August 6 (Wed) &ndash; 17 (Sun)&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Kozesshin August 19 (Tue) &ndash; 21 (Thu) Sesshin Suggested Fees:$1000 Full-time Ango&nbsp;$300 5-day Sesshin$500 12-day Sesshin$60 per day Sesshin part-time&nbsp;$120 Kozesshin$50 per day Kozesshin part-time If you are experiencing financial hardship, you are welcome to click &#39;Ango Registration (Pay by Check or Cash) then select &ldquo;Add a Donation&rdquo; and contribute an amount that fits within your budget. Your sincere participation is most important. <hr fr-original-style="" style="clear: both; -webkit-user-select: none; break-after: page; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"> Sample of Daily Ango Schedule* &nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;3:45 am &ndash; Kaijō (wake-up)&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;4:00 &ndash; Sarei (tea), followed by Zazen/Kinhin (sitting &amp; walking meditation)&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;6:30 &ndash; Chōka (morning chanting), Shukuza (breakfast), Nitten Sōji (clean-up)&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;9:00&ndash; Zazen/Kinhin&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;11:30 &ndash; Saiza (lunch), Sōji (clean-up)&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;1:30 pm &ndash; Zazen&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;3:30 &ndash; Hōsan Sarei (tea), Banka (afternoon chanting)&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;5:30 &ndash; Yakuseki (dinner)&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;7:00 &ndash; Kaihan, followed by Zazen/Kinhin&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;9:00 &ndash; Kaichin (lights out)&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Yaza (night sitting) * subject to change<hr fr-original-style="" style="clear: both; -webkit-user-select: none; break-after: page; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"> For inquiries or registration, please contact the Rinzai-ji office. We look forward to sitting with you during this Summer Ango!

Hello <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip " fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; -webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{lastname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip " fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; -webkit-user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">Last name, Thank you for registering for Summer Ango at Rinzai-ji. We are honored to welcome you to this intensive period of practice, led by Jiun Zenji. Your commitment to deepening your Zen practice is truly appreciated, and we look forward to practicing together. Sesshin Schedule&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;July 30 &ndash; August 3&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;August 6 &ndash; 10&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;August 13 &ndash; 17 Please indicate which Sesshin you&#39;re attending.&nbsp; For those flying into LAX, please arrange your own transportation via Lyft, Uber, or public transit. What to Bring&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Comfortable clothing or a Zazen robe if you have one. A limited supply of student robes is available for sesshin participants.&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Two pairs of easy on/off shoes (one for the front entrance, one for the back porch).&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Personal Toiletries/Medications&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;A cup or mug for your room Important Guidelines&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Silence: Observing silence throughout Summer Ango/Sesshin is essential. Please speak only when necessary and walk in Sasshū (left hand covering right fist).&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Electronic Devices: All devices must be turned off during Sesshin. The Shoji will provide a wake-up call each morning.&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Health &amp; Safety: If you feel unwell or have been in close contact with someone who is ill, please contact the office immediately and consider participating online instead. If you have any questions or need to update your arrival details, please contact &quot;office@rinzaiji.org&quot;. We look forward to practicing together. Safe travels, and see you soon! Warm wishes,Myōren Yasukawa-----------------------------Temple DirectorRinzai-ji Zen Center

Summer Ango at Rinzai-ji Zen CenterJuly 25 – August 22, 2025 At the heart of traditional Zen monastic training is Ango, or “peaceful dwelling” — a period of intensive practice held twice a year for three months. The tradition dates back over 2,500 years to the time of the Buddha, when he and his disciples would remain in one place during the rainy season to devote themselves to meditation and study. Rinzai-ji Zen Center is honored to welcome Jiun Zenji of Shōgen Sōdō Monastery in Gifu, Japan, as the lead teacher for this year’s Summer Ango. From Friday, July 25 to Friday, August 22, this one month intensive offers a rare and precious opportunity to engage deeply in Rinzai Zen training within a monastic-style schedule. While this Ango will not span the full three months of a traditional training term, it will feature a rigorous schedule of daily zazen, samu (work practice), chanting, 2 Weekend Zazenkais and 5 &amp; 12-day sesshins. We warmly invite everyone — whether local or distant, resident or lay — to participate to the extent they are able. Practicing together in the midst of everyday life in a busy modern city challenges us to discover what remains unmoved even as the winds of life blow from every direction. Lead Teacher Jiun Varant Arslanian, head monk at Shōgen Sōdō, has been training in Rinzai Zen monasteries in Japan for nearly two decades. He began his training at Heirinji and now resides at Shōgenji. Jiun Zenji has led several sesshins and events at Rinzai-ji and currently serves as a practice advisor for training at the center. Rinzai-ji Resident Monks Myōren Yasukawa, originally from Tokyo, began her practice in Vancouver, Canada, where she practiced for three years, before moving to Los Angeles to begin her training under Jōshū Sasaki Rōshi for seven years. In 2020, she entered Shōgen Sōdō Monastery in Japan as an unsui (novice monk) engaging in over three years of monastic training. She now serves as the temple director at Rinzai-ji. Sōgen Yamamoto, from Gifu, Japan, completed a Zen-Humanities degree at Shōgen Junior College and trained for six years as an unsui at Shōgen Sōdō. He joined Rinzai-ji in 2023 and now serves as a practice leader, while also deepening his English studies. <hr />Sesshin Schedule    •    Kozesshin July 25 – 27     •    5-day Sesshin July 30 – August 3    •    12-day Sesshin August 6 (Wed) – 17 (Sun)    •    Kozesshin August 19 (Tue) – 21 (Thu) Sesshin Suggested Fees:$1000 Full-time Ango $300 5-day Sesshin$500 12-day Sesshin$60 per day Sesshin part-time $120 Kozesshin$50 per day Kozesshin part-time If you are experiencing financial hardship, you are welcome to click 'Ango Registration (Pay by Check or Cash) then select “Add a Donation” and contribute an amount that fits within your budget. Your sincere participation is most important. <hr /> Sample of Daily Ango Schedule*     •    3:45 am – Kaijō (wake-up)    •    4:00 – Sarei (tea), followed by Zazen/Kinhin (sitting &amp; walking meditation)    •    6:30 – Chōka (morning chanting), Shukuza (breakfast), Nitten Sōji (clean-up)    •    9:00– Zazen/Kinhin    •    11:30 – Saiza (lunch), Sōji (clean-up)    •    1:30 pm – Zazen     •    3:30 – Hōsan Sarei (tea), Banka (afternoon chanting)    •    5:30 – Yakuseki (dinner)    •    7:00 – Kaihan, followed by Zazen/Kinhin    •    9:00 – Kaichin (lights out)    •    Yaza (night sitting) * subject to change<hr /> For inquiries or registration, please contact the Rinzai-ji office. We look forward to sitting with you during this Summer Ango!

Rinzai-ji Zen Center

Summer Ango 2025

2505 Cimarron Street

Full-time Ango Registration

$1,000

Ozesshin Registration (5-day)

$300

Ozesshin Registration (12-day)

$500

Ozesshin Part-time Registration

$60

Ango Registration (Pay by Check or Cash)

Free

Kozesshin Registration

$150

Kozesshin Part-time

$50

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