Join HZC Abbot Gaelyn Godwin, Zen Priest Royce Johnson, and other members of HZC’s practice leadership and sangha for a rare opportunity to work and practice together at our parent temple in California, and to connect deeply to our Zen heritage --social, cultural and religious. Together we will be joining the Tassajara community, following the residential daily morning schedule of zazen, service, work, and meals. There are very limited spaces in Sangha Week, so please sign up soon.
The Sangha Week is a wonderful way to enjoy the beauty as well as the deep practice of Tassajara.
About Tassajara: Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, located deep in the Ventana Wilderness area of the Los Padres National Forest, southeast of Carmel California, is the oldest Sōtō Zen Buddhist monastery in the United States.
Abbot Gaelyn practiced for more than a decade at Tassajara, and Rev. Royce practiced for several years there as well.
The Summer Season is open to the public both before and after the yearly monastic Practice Periods in the Fall and Spring. During Sangha Weeks we participate in the residential practice program where we join the students in their schedule of early morning zazen, service, work (includes 3 ½ hours), and meals (breakfast/lunch) before turning into guests for the remainder of each day. Vegetarian meals and shared accommodations are included. We will be working and meeting as a group while also joining residents in their daily schedule.
Tassajara Reservation Cost: $600. This includes all meals and lodging while at Tassajara.
Ground Transportation Cost (Estimate): $250 includes van rental and fuel.
Airfare is NOT included.
PLEASE NOTE: All participants are responsible for their own airfare from Houston to San Jose, California airport. Please plan to arrive at SJC (San Jose, California) no later than 10 am on Tuesday 8/6, and plan to depart from SJC no earlier than 6 pm on Sunday 8/11/24. We are unable to accommodate folks who arrive/depart at other times. You are welcome to arrive a day earlier, and/or stay a day later in the Bay Area and meet our van. Please confirm all travel information by June 1st, providing us with your flight numbers and times.
To Register:
1. Register with HZC by completing the form on this page, and making a $200 deposit (refundable until 6/30/24) to hold your spot on the list. Please confirm all travel information by July 1st, providing us with your flight numbers and times. The deposit will be applied to transportation expenses from the airport to Tassajara.
2. Also register with Tassajara through this Sangha Week registration link, or call the San Francisco Zen Center Registration Office (415) 865-1899.
Be sure to designate Houston Zen Center as your sangha. This link serves both Houston and Austin Zen Centers for Sangha Week at Tassajara.
A gallery of photos from past HZC sangha weeks at Tassajara is shown below.
