Dear members and friends,

Thank you for your support of your Zen Center. This Zen Center is a refuge for all. It is a place of peace, open for deep practice of meditation, Zazen, sangha/community connection, and interconnection. Studying Zen, freeing the mind, creates a Land of Liberty, in Houston and far beyond.

We are reaching out to you now to express our appreciation, and to invite you to participate in the care of the land and resources that are beneficial for so many people, trees, and sentient beings too numerous to list here.

We respectfully remind you that Houston Zen Center, as well as its new retreat land where more and more practice takes place, exists entirely because of the generosity of its friends and members. The passing of Rev. Yazan Dave Johnson reminds us that it is due to him, along with all of you who have contributed your time and treasure over the years, that HZC continues to thrive, and remain open to all seekers. Dave remains one of the most generous of our members, in every dimension – time, treasure, work practice, and dharma teaching. He will be missed but not forgotten. His efforts are visible all over the land at Auspicious Cloud West and throughout the Houston Zen Center campus. He believed, and we share this belief, that any contribution is valuable. All of our time, good wishes, and financial donations, come together to create our thriving Zen Center.

Please consider helping us with these urgent projects.

Browning Branch Trailer
Acquire a small used trailer to use as housing for the Abbot or other caretaker during retreats that HZC is hosting. The small trailer was used by member Mary Carol for some years and is now available for use when HZC allows other groups to occupy all available retreat housing.
$11,000

Tree Maintenance at Auspicious Cloud West
The oak, pecan, native persimmon, ash, elm, sycamore and more! Trees around the buildings need tender loving care. The treescape arborist will work to remove dead limbs, take down three trees, and shape the trees closest to the buildings.
$12,000

Houston Zen Center Urban Campus
Design accessible entrance for the main temple. Design work estimate, not including the eventual work.
$2,000

As we write this, we are also preparing for another Sangha Day at Auspicious Cloud West / Margaret Austin Center on Saturday. A convoy of members will spend the day at the 40 acres, cleaning, painting and gardening. We are looking forward to it with enthusiasm and joy. We hope to see many of you there.

Please accept our thanks for all your help, gifts of time and treasure, that support your Zen Center in its mission to provide a refuge for peace and spiritual growth. Your good wishes and aspirations for ensuring the well-being of the visitors to Zen Center, including the many beings living on the land, are powerful forces for beneficence in the world.

With palms together in gratitude,

Abbot Gaelyn Godwin & President Royce Johnson

More images of Houston Zen Center and Auspicious Cloud West

As work continues, we will keep you informed of the progress, and adventures, on the land.