Open Gate Zen Collective

Open Gate Zen Collective Open Gate Zen Collective is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3)
Community of Zen practitioners with the commitmen

03/18/2026

Our upcoming Spring Practice Period is almost upon us! Entitled “The Ten Ox-herding Pictures – Our Journey of Awakening”, this in person program will take up the classic study of the Ten Ox-herding pictures, a series of paintings and teachings dating back to the twelfth century. These foundational Zen teachings are formulated as visual parables for the stages of spiritual training and enlightenment – from a practitioner’s initial seeking to their full integration in the world. The metaphor spans finding, taming, and eventually transcending the ox, which represents the wild mind or true nature. Attributed to the 12th-century Zen Master Kakuan Shien, they illustrate the journey of taming the self to realize Buddha-nature, making them central to Zen understanding.

Lead by Sensei Monshin Nannette Overly, Sensei Jose Shinzan Palma, Sensei Ryokan Cynthia Kear, and Chris Senko Perez

April 02-25, 2026

To apply, please visit https://www.upaya.org/program/spring-practice-period-in-person-2026/

The deepest gratitude for these beautiful beings and those who attended part time but are not present(hybrid and online:...
02/23/2026

The deepest gratitude for these beautiful beings and those who attended part time but are not present(hybrid and online: Mushin, Jikai, Jen, and Philip) ❤️ 2026 1st weekend retreat

02/23/2026
A weekend of stillness and service. 🧘‍♂️ So much gratitude to the OG Sangha for the Zen Retreat and the beginning of Ten...
02/23/2026

A weekend of stillness and service. 🧘‍♂️ So much gratitude to the OG Sangha for the Zen Retreat and the beginning of Tenzo training. Deep bows to Seido for taking the leap! 🙇‍♂️

Some January buddhas were celebrated this past Saturday! May all beings be loved, safe, healthy, and happy! May it be so...
01/26/2026

Some January buddhas were celebrated this past Saturday! May all beings be loved, safe, healthy, and happy! May it be so, may it be so, may it be so!

https://www.ogzen.org/
12/30/2025

https://www.ogzen.org/

Be Part of Our Mission!OG Annual Fundraising 2025Dear Dharma friends! I hope you can pause in the middle of this busy life to read this letter. As it happens this time around, our merriment meets strong forces pressing in all round us. This year are affected by very real challenges in the myriad c....

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466 E Street
Chula Vista, CA
91910

Opening Hours

Monday 7pm - 8:30pm
Tuesday 7pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday 7pm - 8:30pm
Thursday 7pm - 8:30pm
Friday 7pm - 8:30pm
Saturday 9:30am - 11am

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Open Gate Zen Collective

Open Gate (OG) Zen Collective (4 Vows Sangha) emerged from multiple sitting groups gathered in San Diego. This included friends of Sensei Shinzan and the Carlsbad Zen Community. Thanks to the direction and generosity of Mark Koe Gunn, weekly sittings became available in his Carlsbad home in 2015. Later, Sensei Jose Shinzan Palma was invited to impart dharma teachings there. CZC later moved to Encinitas and became known as the sangha’s North County Group with its other half established in the South bay. Sweetwater Zen Center opens its space for the meditation group. Thus, 4 Vows Sangha (Now OG Zen Collective) came to be with the leadership and vision of Sensei Shinzan. OG Zen Collective is a group of people that share and are motivated by the practice of Zen (Zazen) and work together to achieve harmony in our lives for sake of world.

OUR MISSION is to gather and practice zazen (Zen meditation) and develop Zen training. We practice to realize and embody what our Zen ancestors have done for centuries, to realize our Buddha nature, to awaken and to serve others.

OUR VISION is to keep the practice of Zen, to wake up and to embody the 4 All-Embracing Vows:

Beings are numberless; I vow to Awaken them.