You are invited to join us on Sonoma Mountain among the redwoods, frogs croaking, crickets chirping, owls hooting across the meadow, crisp clean air, and a vast starlit sky. Membership provides a chance to personally experience this ancient tradition under the experienced guidance of Jakusho Kwong-roshi and interact with others committed to living an authentic spiritual life in an otherwise frequently chaotic world. This is a practice that allows us to see beyond our usually one-sided perception of ourselves and the world, so that we can participate in society with clarity and peace.

 

Since 1973, Sonoma Mountain Zen Center has offered Zen meditation practice and its basic teachings in the Soto Zen tradition to people of all religious faiths. SMZC is a lay residential training practice center. We rely on membership dues, income from our programs, and contributions to support and maintain the Dharma on this ancient mountain.

 

To join us, please read through the information below and fill out the membership application form. We offer a variety of membership options tailored to your practice commitment and financial ability. Please return the completed form along with your initial payment of dues to the SMZC office. This application provides us with basic information about you, your background, and your membership interests and serves as an introduction to our teacher, Jakusho Kwong-roshi, to help him guide and assist you in your practice.

 

Finally, we ask that you complete the volunteer portion of the application form, listing your skills and abilities and identifying how you may be of ongoing service to our temple and sangha. Please complete all paperwork and initial member dues payment online billed from the office. We look forward to practicing with you.

 

In deep gassho