Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

Sonoma Mountain Zen Center Sonoma Mountain Zen Center is situated on 80 acres of rolling hills and mountainous land, located 11 miles from the town of Santa Rosa.

May 01, 2026, 7:30 PM PDT – May 02, 2026, 5:00 PM PDT'Entering the Gate' 1-Day SittingRegister to attend in person at ht...
04/09/2026

May 01, 2026, 7:30 PM PDT – May 02, 2026, 5:00 PM PDT
'Entering the Gate' 1-Day Sitting

Register to attend in person at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/entering-the-gate-1-day-sitting-on-site-in-zendo-2026-05-01-19-30

This retreat is an introduction to Zen training and an opportunity for beginners and experienced sitters to plunge into the heart of Zen practice. RSVP and we will contact you to complete your registration. $85-160 fee. 10-20% discount for members.

Apr 10, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM PDTApril Fusatsu CeremonyRegister to attend in person at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/a...
04/08/2026

Apr 10, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM PDT
April Fusatsu Ceremony

Register to attend in person at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/april-fusatsu-ceremony-on-site-in-zendo-2026-04-10-19-30

Atonement Ceremony is a Buddhadharma training—Blessing from the teacher and a ritual of chanting, bowing, purification, and renewal of vows/direction. Traditionally practiced on the full moon, Fusatsu is one of the most beautiful and profound ceremonies in the Zen tradition. Together, we acknowledge our karmic entanglements and hindrances, at-one for the beginningless greed, anger, and ignorance—restoring harmony and happiness.

Apr 11, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PDTSaturday Community (Talk by Nyoze Kwong-osho)Talk will be given by Nyoze Kwong-osho...
04/07/2026

Apr 11, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
Saturday Community (Talk by Nyoze Kwong-osho)

Talk will be given by Nyoze Kwong-osho, abbot of SMZC, following 10:30-11:00 am zazen. Register to attend in at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/saturday-community-talk-by-nyoze-kwong-osho-on-site-in-zendo-2026-04-11-10-30

Nyoze received a degree in Anthropology from UC Santa Cruz. He worked as a fundraiser in Stanford University’s Engineering Department. Nyoze has a background in Socially Engaged Buddhism, has trained with well-respected teachers in Japan and United States, and has over 30 years of meditation experience. Nyoze received jukai (lay precepts) in 1987 at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. In 2009 he was ordained as a novice monk by Jakusho Kwong-roshi. In 2012 he finished his formal Zen training at Eiheiji, oldest monastery and head temple of the Soto Zen School in Japan. He received Dharma transmission in 2014 and completed zuisse at both Eiheiji and Sojiji Head Temples of Sotoshu (the Soto School of Zen) in 2015. He is recognized by Sotoshu as a Kokusaifukyoshi (international zen teacher) in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki-roshi. Nyoze serves as Jushoku (Abbot) and is the Head of Practice and Executive Director of Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. He lives at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center with Kashin, his wife, and Ejo, their son.

Apr 03, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM PDTSesshin Talk by Jakusho Kwong-roshiTalk will be given by Jakusho Kwong-roshi, founder...
03/31/2026

Apr 03, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM PDT
Sesshin Talk by Jakusho Kwong-roshi

Talk will be given by Jakusho Kwong-roshi, founder of SMZC, following one period of zazen. Open to theRegister at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/sesshin-talk-by-jakusho-kwong-roshi-on-site-in-zendo-2026-04-03-15-00

Jakusho Kwong-roshi is the founder of Sonoma Mountain Zen Center - Genjoji Temple, authorized by the Sotoshu in Japan. He is a Dharma Holder of the late Shunryu Suzuki-roshi’s lineage. Kwong-roshi travelled and taught throughout America and Asia as well as Poland and Iceland where Zen practice places have been established. Also he has deep connections with the Theravadin, Shambhala, Rinzaiji, Soen-Korean Zen with Christian Carmelite, Benedictine, and Jewish traditions. He had the good karma to meet all the great Asian teachers who came West. His publications include No Beginning, No End, Mind Sky, and Breath Sweeps Mind (CD). On an auspicious day in December 2024, Kwong-roshi was honored to receive the Dharma Cloud rakusu from Daihi Gengo Akiba-roshi, Director of Sotoshu of North America.

Apr 05, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM PDTBuddha's Birth CeremonyFamilies, friends and children will gather in the zendo to com...
03/28/2026

Apr 05, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM PDT
Buddha's Birth Ceremony

Families, friends and children will gather in the zendo to commemorate the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha in a Flower Festival and the traditional pouring of sweet rain over the baby Buddha. Following this ceremony will be an outdoor reception. Everyone is asked to bring flowers to offer in the zendo and to bring finger-type hors d'oeuvres, ready-to-serve on platters for the reception. Our entire Sangha will be the host of this event. Open to the public. RSVP at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/buddhas-birth-ceremony-on-site-in-zendo-4

Apr 01, 2026, 6:00 PM PDT – Apr 04, 2026, 3:30 PM PDTBuddha's Birthday 3-Day SesshinSesshin, literally “to touch the Min...
03/27/2026

Apr 01, 2026, 6:00 PM PDT – Apr 04, 2026, 3:30 PM PDT
Buddha's Birthday 3-Day Sesshin

Sesshin, literally “to touch the Mind,” is a period of time set aside for an intensive meditation retreat to let go of the conditioned self and resume our original nature. This special time of practice will allow us to dive into the core of Zen training in the spirit of Shakyamuni’s Birth. A silent meditation intensive for beginners, as well as experienced practitioners, to still the mind from moment to moment, manifesting the realization of the Way. A rigorous schedule that begins at 5:00 am includes 10 periods of meditation, chanting, mindful work, and a Dharma Talk. Days end at 9pm. Register at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/buddhas-birthday-3-day-sesshin-1-to-3-nights-on-site-in-zendo

Mar 28, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PDTSaturday Community (Talk by Michael Daizan Lyons)Talk will be given by Michael Daiz...
03/27/2026

Mar 28, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
Saturday Community (Talk by Michael Daizan Lyons)

Talk will be given by Michael Daizan (大山) Lyons, a student of Kwong-roshi, following 10:30-11:00 am zazen. Register at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/saturday-community-talk-by-michael-daizan-lyons-on-site-in-zendo-2026-03-28-10-30-1

Michael Daizan began his formal zen training with abbot Genki Takabayashi at the Rinzai Temple, Dai Bai Zan Cho Bo Zen Ji in Seattle. In 1999 Michael received Jukai from the next abbot of Choboji, Genjo Marinello, receiving the Dharma name Daizan which means "Vast Mountain." In 2010 Daizan began training with Kwong-roshi and Nyoze Kwong, and he has regularly participated over the years during Ango and Rohatsu sesshins at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. Daizan and his wife Diana have been married for 56 years and are proud grandparents to the three sons of their daughter and son-in-law.

Mar 27, 2026, 3:00 PM PDT – Mar 28, 2026, 1:30 PM PDTSpring Temple StayTemple stay is an opportunity to experience authe...
03/21/2026

Mar 27, 2026, 3:00 PM PDT – Mar 28, 2026, 1:30 PM PDT
Spring Temple Stay

Temple stay is an opportunity to experience authentic Soto Zen Buddhism, its lifestyle, rituals and spirituality. Take the backward step, sit down and illuminate the jewel within yourself. $150 & up. Register at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/spring-temple-stay-2026-03-27-15-00

Mar 22, 2026, 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM PDTSpring WorkfestWe are excited to see spring blossoming right before our eyes. The sun...
03/20/2026

Mar 22, 2026, 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM PDT
Spring Workfest

We are excited to see spring blossoming right before our eyes. The sun, wind, flowers, and trees all contribute to welcoming the spring light and new growth after the receding graces of winter. Reflecting these energies of renewal, we wish to nourish our sangha and temple practice in preparation for celebrating Buddha’s Birthday at the beginning of April. For this Workfest, we will work together to do a thorough preparation of the Zendo and adjacent grounds including hand washing Zendo zafus and zabutons, oiling the Zendo hallways and Bonsho deck, servicing and reestablishing the various pathways leading up to and near the Zendo. Our Workfests in Spring, Summer, and Fall offer a unique opportunity to be together contributing directly to the active function of our place of practice, providing a sustainable source of peace in an unsettling world.

Register at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/spring-workfest-2026-03-22-08-30

Mar 21, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PDTSaturday Community (Talk by Mitchell Hoden Katzel)Talk will be given by Mitchell Ho...
03/19/2026

Mar 21, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
Saturday Community (Talk by Mitchell Hoden Katzel)

Talk will be given by Mitchell Hoden (法田) Katzel, student of Kwong-roshi, following 10:30 am zazen. Open to the public. Register at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/saturday-community-talk-by-mitchell-hoden-katzel-on-site-in-zendo-2026-03-21-10-30

Mitchell travelled from the east coast to the west after finishing college to be a student at San Francisco Zen Center in 1977. He was a resident at the city center and later at Green Gulch Farm until 1987. After returning to school to complete graduate studies at UC Berkeley in 1990, he established a career as a fluvial geomorphologist restoring rivers throughout California. Mitchell met Kwong-roshi in 2008 and received Jukai a year later and was given the dharma name Hoden (Dharma Field). He served as Shuso (Head Student) leading the 30-day intensive practice period in the winter of 2023. He currently resides with his wife in Sonoma Valley at the foot of Sonoma Mountain.

Mar 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM PDTKids & Youth Community QuarterlyJoin us for a morning of mindfulness and discovery a...
03/07/2026

Mar 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM PDT
Kids & Youth Community Quarterly

Join us for a morning of mindfulness and discovery at the Zen Center, designed for ages 1–7 and 8–18 yrs. While parents participate in meditation and Dharma talk, children and teens will engage in fun, age-appropriate activities, led by sangha members. $15 admission/person (child or parent). Register at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/kids-youth-community-quarterly-2026-03-21-10-00

Address

6367 Sonoma Mountain Road
Santa Rosa, CA
95404

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sonoma Mountain Zen Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category