Green Gulch Farm Green Dragon Temple-Soryuji Details

Green Gulch Farm Zen Center (Green Dragon Temple or Soryuji)

Green Gulch Farm Zen Center (Green Dragon Temple or Soryuji) is one of three temples comprising San Francisco Zen Center. It is a Zen practice community which has guest and conference facilities, and also an organic vegetable farm and flower garden. It is located in a valley opening onto the Pacific Ocean at Muir Beach in Marin County, California, and is surrounded by the rolling park lands of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, about ½ hour drive north of San Francisco. Overnight guest accommodations are available by reservation.

Green Gulch hosts a full program of daily zazen and services, as well as Dharma talks, classes, workshops, one-day sittings and sesshins. 0n Sundays, the public is invited to attend zazen, zazen instruction, a Dharma Talk, and lunch. On the first Sunday of each month, the beginning of the lecture is especially for children. Green Gulch also sponsors a "Coming of Age Program" for 7th and 8th grade children.

Classes on various topics such as the Bodhisattva Precepts, koans, and the teachings of Dogen Zenji are offered throughout the year. There are also ongoing classes in the Urasenke tradition of chanoyu, and in sewing Buddha's robe (rakusu and okesa) in preparation for the Bodhisattva Initiation Ceremony and priest ordination.

Opportunities for residential practice:

Guest Practice Retreatants stay in guest facilities, join residents in early morning zazen, and work with the community in the morning. Call (415) 383-3134 for reservations.

Guest Students participate in the full meditation and work schedule and attend classes, lectures, and ceremonies. This program offers short-term residency to those interested in beginning or deepening Zen practice. Five-day minimum, $20 per day. For more information and an application, e-mail: ggfstudent@sfzc.org

Work Practice Apprentice:

Those who have completed 2 weeks as a Guest Student are eligible to apply for this 6 month program of residential practice. There is no charge for this program.

Practice Period:

an eight week period (ango) of intensive formal Zen training emphasizing zazen, ceremonies, oryoki meal practice, study, and daily work. They begin in October and February, and end with a 7 day sesshin. A 3 1/2 week "Intensive" which includes a 5 day sesshin is held in January.

Farm and Garden Apprenticeship:

a six-month apprenticeship in Zen practice and organic farming and gardening, from mid-April to mid-October. Inquiries: (415) 354-0420 or farm@sfzc.org

For more information, contact us at:

Green Gulch Farm Zen Center
1601 Shoreline Highway
Muir Beach, CA 94965, U.S.A.
(415)383-3134

Or see our website: www.sfzc.org