Donate Here for Maintaining the Refuge

*Walking to the Zendo at Auspicious Cloud Zen Retreat Center*

Gratitude! A message from President Zack Becker and Abbot Gaelyn Godwin

Dear friends and members,

We are thrilled to let you know that your generous response to the appeal to help your Zen Center close the gap has allowed Zen Center to do just that — the gap in the year-end budget of $35,000 has been closed.

Thank you for your generous help in Maintaining the Refuge that Houston Zen Center has become for the world.

1. Upgrade our video capabilities in the Zendo. This has been met! We have purchased the recommended equipment and will begin to install the new camera and microphones in November (now). The cost: $3,000

2. Close the Gap: We have closed the gap! We will tell you all about the finances at the General Meeting on December 14. Please come and learn more about your Zen Center. Our many programs over the past year, along with our work to restore the prairie and prepare for our next phase, caused a budget shortfall this year of $35,000. And our friends and members stepped up to close it.

*Creekside restoration September 2025 - President Zack in the lead*

With your help we closed this gap and will begin the New Year with freshness and creativity.

With so many accomplishments during 2025, we will just select a few to illustrate:

Prairie restoration, and creekside erosion control - all by members of HZC.
On-going sewing classes, by Rev. Vicki Glenn, for members receiving the Bodhisattva Precepts.
On-going study classes, well attended by members and new friends.

Please let us know if you have any questions about the projects, or the gap.

Sustained by your on-going generosity, Houston Zen Center will continue to thrive and benefit countless beings.

With gratitude,

President Zack Becker and Abbot Gaelyn Godwin

*Sunrise at Auspicious Cloud Zen Retreat Center October 2, 2025*

*Rev. Vicki Glenn’s on-going instructions in sewing the rakusus to receive with the Bodhisattva Precepts.*

Donate here for Maintaining the Refuge

With grateful bows,
Abbot Gaelyn & President Zack

Tenshin Reb Anderson Roshi with Jisha Maite Leal 2025 (Copy)

Repainted, refreshed zendo. (Copy)

Mary Carol improves the brick walkways. (Copy)

Peaceful atmosphere under an oak. (Copy)

American Zen Teachers Association October 2025 (Copy)

Luanne and Tricia in the AZCRC Kitchen 2025 (Copy)

Ryushin Dave Smith 2025 Shuso Celebration (Copy)

Zendo class with current video equipment (Copy)

Dining Room February 2024 (Copy)

Full Moon over Dining Room 2024 (Copy)

Ready for Dinner. (Copy)

HZC Zendo, a very important refuge in Houston. (Copy)

*Prairie Restoration begins with Phase One.*

Did you know that thousands of people attend our classes and events in Houston at the Houston Zen Center urban campus? From our basic Introduction to Zen Series, to our advanced teachings on Karma, Zen Poetry, the Fundamental Teachings of the Middle Way; from our half-hour introduction, to our 7-day sessions, we provide a full range of entry points for seekers from all spiritual traditions.

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.

More images of Houston Zen Center and Auspicious Cloud Zen Retreat Center