Sonoma Mountain Zen Center-Genjoji Details

Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

akusho Kwong-roshi was born in Santa Rosa, California, in 1935. He grew up in Palo Alto and later worked as a commercial artist in San Francisco. He began practicing Zen at Sokoji Temple in 1959, and was ordained by Shunryu Suzuki-roshi in 1970. In 1973, in gratitude to his late teacher, Jakusho Kwong founded Sonoma Mountain Zen Center to continue the Soto Zen lineage, stressing zazen, or shikantaza, as the embodiment of enlightenment; once we realize that from the very beginning, we are already enlightened beings, just-as-we-are, we cannot help but actualize this truth, this completeness, right here, right now. Kwong-roshi exemplifies the immediacy of Zen ― always here, always now, in his direct, humorous way of pointing back to our ordinary selves.

In 1978, Jakusho Kwong completed Dharma transmission through Hoitsu Suzuki-roshi at Rinsoin, Japan, making him a descendant in an unbroken lineage of 91 generations beginning with Shakyamuni Buddha. For the past two decades he has traveled annually to teach in Iceland and Poland, and at other times in various parts of the United States and Europe. In 1993, he participated in the first Conference of Western Buddhist Teachers, held in Dharamsala and presided over by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Sonoma Mountain Zen Center is situated on 80 acres of rolling hills and mountainous land, located 11 miles from the town of Santa Rosa. Our sangha consists of a small residence and a larger membership that joins us in Zen practice from the local area, as well as from other parts of the world. Our programs offer a variety of ways to engage in Zen practice. We emphasize a commitment to the practice of sitting meditation (zazen) every day as a way to deepen our true nature and to actualize it clearly in our work and daily activities.

About a dozen residents manage the daily operations of the center and have developed a wide range of programs. They include meditation instruction, Zen workshops, sesshins, and one-day sittings. An evening study group is offered in the spring and fall. Each summer and winter, there are 30-day practice periods with a disciplined schedule fostering constancy and mindfulness for an extended time. Public talks are given weekly by our resident teachers and senior students.

Our daily life is full and rich, as the practice of zazen connects us to our humanity and fundamental sanity. The knowledge of our true nature that this practice brings, and the conviction that we are not separate, connect our community with other beings in a spirit of appreciation, respect, and mutual interdependence. Thus, we can function more effectively and harmoniously with others and truly contribute to society.