Tangaryo
An invitation to become a Formal Student
An Informational Meeting with Shinryu Roshi will be held
Online, Friday, February 21, 6:30 pm
The Village Zendo’s next student initiation —“Tangaryo”— will be held Saturday, March 22, 2025. If you have not yet become a Formal Student at the Village Zendo, and wish to do so, please read the information at villagezendo.org/membership and attend this meeting.
Why Become A Formal Student?
You should become a Formal Student at the Village Zendo if you wish to make an ongoing commitment to Zen training and to enter into a formal teacher/student relationship with Shinryu Roshi and the Village Zendo teaching staff.
You are not required to become a Formal Student in order to work with Shinryu Roshi and the VZ teachers. You can do this on an informal basis by becoming a Member of the Village Zendo.
Becoming A Formal Student at The Village Zendo
Since the beginning of Zen in China more than 1,500 years ago, entering formally into training under the guidance of a teacher has been the traditional path for seekers of the Way. In today’s world of spiritual marketing and religious quick-fixes, the need for skilled guidance through the many years of one’s training is as great as ever.
Tangaryo
March 22, 2025
Online and In Person
One of the requirements for becoming a Formal Student of Shinryu Roshi and the VZ teaching staff is “Tangaryo,” or all-day sitting. This custom dates to the earliest days of Zen when those wishing to enter into training would sit for long periods of time in order to demonstrate the sincerity of their aspiration. Tanga is a Japanese term meaning “staying until the morning.” It refers to the overnight stay in a Zen monastery of a wandering monk on pilgrimage. The room set aside for this purpose was known as the tangaryo.
At the Village Zendo we have continued this tradition. After discussing their wish to become a student with Shinryu Roshi, student candidates devote a day to Tangaryo. The day begins with zazen that continues until mid-afternoon. The zazen is unstructured — no bells ring to mark the end of the period and there is no kinhin. Candidates may take short breaks, if needed, to go to the bathroom or refresh themselves for further sitting.
In the middle of the afternoon, Tangaryo ends and, shortly afterwards, the new students exchange bows and sit down to tea with Roshi who greets them on behalf of the Village Zendo teaching staff.
It is customary at this time to present Roshi with a small monetary donation in lieu of other gifts. There is no minimum or maximum amount required.
With the conclusion of this ceremony, student initiation is complete and the new student is invited to participate in a short Student Entry ceremony on the day following Tangaryo.
Tangaryo Schedule
7:30 – 12:00 zazen
12:00 – 1:00 lunch
1:00 – 3:30 zazen
3:30 – 3:45 break
3:45 – 5:00 ceremony