Two Arrows Zen

09/25/2025

Take a Sunday morning to pause. In a world that rarely slows down, this gathering offers a place to steady your breath, rest your body, and settle your mind. Join Diane Musho Hamilton Roshi on Sunday, October 19th from 9 AM–12 PM at Two Arrows Zen for guided practice in the essentials of Zen sitting—whether it’s your first time or a return to familiar ground.

📍 21 G Street, Salt Lake City, UT
Register at www.twoarrowszen.org

09/25/2025

09/14/2025

Have you tried doing nothing yet? Join us for a Day of Zen with Mugaku Roshi on Saturday, October 4, 7:45am–2:00pm at Two Arrows Zen. Beginners learn the basics of sitting meditation, experienced practitioners deepen their practice. Sit together, do nothing, discover everything.

09/01/2025

On this Labor Day, we remember that the simplest work can be the deepest practice. The old Zen saying goes: “Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.”

Labor is not only a way to earn our living, but the daily rhythm of life itself. Each act—splitting wood, carrying water, cooking a meal, caring for others—becomes a gate to presence. Dōgen Zenji reminds us that there is no Dharma apart from everyday actions.

As we honor the labor of so many who have built and sustained our communities, may we also honor the spirit of mindful work in our own lives. To carry water with care, to chop wood with attention, is to participate in the unbroken stream of practice.

This Labor Day, may we see that the work before us—whatever it is—can be both ordinary and sacred.

08/29/2025

Two Arrows Zen will be Closed Monday September 1st in Observence of Labor Day. Thank You.

08/29/2025

Jizō Bon: The Bodhisattva Who Never Leaves Anyone Behind

This week, many Zen communities mark Jizō Bon, a festival honoring Jizō Bodhisattva (Kṣitigarbha in Sanskrit). In Japan and throughout the Zen world, Jizō is one of the most beloved figures of Mahāyāna Buddhism.

Jizō is known as the protector of children, travelers, and those facing suffering or transition. In imagery, he often appears as a gentle monk holding a staff and a wish-fulfilling jewel. His vow is extraordinary: not to rest until all beings are freed from the hell realms and guided safely toward awakening. In this way, Jizō represents the deepest expression of compassion—never turning away, never giving up.

Jizō Bon is traditionally celebrated in late August. Families decorate small Jizō statues with red bibs and caps, light candles, and offer prayers. These gestures symbolize gratitude, protection, and the wish for safe passage in life and death. Children in particular are invited to participate, making the festival both joyful and tender.

For us, Jizō Bon is a reminder that the path of practice is not only about our own liberation but also about extending care to those most vulnerable. Jizō stands beside anyone in hardship, whether they are grieving, lost, or simply in need of kindness.

As summer comes to a close and we turn toward autumn, we can let Jizō’s vow inspire our own practice: to walk with courage, to offer comfort, and to remember that no one is left behind.

08/23/2025

Larry Ward, senior Buddhist teacher in the Plum Village Tradition, has died

Buddhist teacher, author, and co-founder of The Lotus Institute, Dr. Larry Ward, passed away on August 19 at his home in Rhode Island, leaving behind a legacy of peace and advocacy for healing individual and collective trauma.

Buddhist teacher, author, and co-founder of The Lotus Institute, Dr. Larry Ward, passed away on August 19 at his home in Rhode Island, leaving behind a legacy of peace and advocacy for healing individual and collective trauma.

08/21/2025

Spring water is pure in an emerald stream
​moonlight is white on Cold Mountain
​silence thoughts and the spirit becomes clear
​focus on emptiness and the world grows still

Han-shan #82
Red by Red Pine

31 seconds · Clipped by badbradwheeler · Original video "Red Pine (Bill Porter) Reads Translations" by Ward Serrill - Woody Creek Pictures

08/18/2025

Sit. Breathe. Notice.

Zen practice doesn’t require a temple, a cushion, or a special place. It begins right where you are. By simply sitting down, feeling the breath, and noticing the ground beneath you, the whole world opens into practice.

At Two Arrows Zen, we return again and again to this simplicity. Whether you are in the middle of a busy day or resting in the quiet of morning, Zen is available anytime, anywhere.

Come sit with us and discover the depth in the ordinary.

08/15/2025

Join us for a free information call with Diane Musho Hamilton and Gabriel Kaigen Wilson as they introduce Waking Up & Growing Up.

Gabriel Kaigen Wilson is a Zen monk, executive team coach, and longtime student of Diane’s. He brings a rare mix of discipline and compassion to his teaching, drawing from years of Zen practice and his work guiding leaders and groups through challenge and growth. In this short video, Gabe shares why this program is needed now more than ever—and how it can help you work with yourself and others in more skillful, wholehearted ways.

Don’t miss the free call:
Friday, August 22, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm MT
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tdeQl9nUSWalisthTMHGmg

08/12/2025

Most of us want to change… but lasting change takes more than good intentions.

It takes guidance, structure, and a community that will challenge you to grow.

Join Diane Musho Hamilton—Zen teacher, mediator, and author—and Gabriel Kaigen Wilson—Zen monk and executive coach—for a free live info call introducing their upcoming online course, Waking Up & Growing Up.

This is not about escaping the pressures of modern life. It’s about learning to meet them with more presence, emotional maturity, and skill—whether that’s in your personal relationships, your work, or your spiritual path.

Free Info Call
Friday, August 22, 11:00 am–12:00 pm MT (10 am PDT / 1 pm EDT / 7 pm CEST)
Via Zoom
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tdeQl9nUSWalisthTMHGmg

Over 8 weeks, this program blends Zen meditation with tools from Integral psychology, neurophysiology, and trauma-informed practice. You’ll explore emotional awareness, communication skills, and ways to stay grounded and open—even in the heat of conflict.

More info: https://reallifeprograms.org/real-life-facilitator-program