SOTOZEN-NET > Soto Zen Temples > Organization and temples outside Japan > Ocean Gate Zen Center

Ocean Gate Zen Center was started in September 2007 when we open our zendo on 41st Avenue in Santa Cruz, CA. Before that time, both Revs. Doyo Kinst and Shinshu Roberts had been teaching in the area for over 6 years. Both Doyo and Shinshu are dharma heirs of Abbot Sojun Weitsman of the Berkeley Zen Center in Berkeley California and the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi founder of the San Francisco Zen Center. Rev. Roberts was a resident priest at San Francisco Zen Center for 20 years. Rev. Kinst, a resident at San Francisco Zen Center for ten years received her Ph.D. in East West psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, where she current teaches. She also teachers at the Graduate Theological Union associated with the University of California Berkeley.

Ocean Gate Zen Center offer daily morning zazen, Monday – Friday and afternoon zazen on Wednesdays. Dharma lecture is on Tuesday evening preceded by a period of zazen. In 2008 one student received the precepts with Rev. Kinst after sewing a rakusu and study. We also hold monthly half day sittings and other workshops during the year. Individual spiritual guidance is offered as well as group classes in Buddhism. During the year we hold various ceremonies, such as welcoming in the New Year and ceremonies to mark important times of passage of sangha members. More information can be found on our website: www.oceangatezen.org.
Click on the national flags on the map, or on those at the left, to zoom to each country and see a list of its temples.