Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

05/12/2026

🏕 COMING UP: Talk by Katsuzen, Kids Community Overnight - Kids Campout Under The Stars!!! & Spring Sangha Gathering & Potluck https://wix.to/4qHATjS

05/06/2026

🏕 COMING UP: Talk by Nyoze Kwong-osho, May Fusatsu Ceremony & Kids Community Overnight - Kids Campout Under The Stars!!!

Talk will be given by Nyoze Kwong-osho, abbot of SMZC, following 10:30–11:00 am zazen. About Speaker

04/30/2026

Hermitage Woodworks delivers hand crafted joinery cedar to construct sanmon gate.

04/30/2026

Early morning loaded truck and delivered sanmon shear walls. Entering into a new era.

04/28/2026

🧘COMING UP: May 1-Day Sitting, May Fusatsu Ceremony & Talk by Nyoze Kwong-osho

This retreat is an introduction to Zen training and an opportunity for beginners and experienced sitters to plunge into the heart of Zen practice. Retreatants will experience a moderate schedule of zazen (eight periods of sitting meditation), kinhin (walking meditation), samu (work practice), oryoki...

04/28/2026

Discover stillness at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center — Genjoji. A Soto Zen temple dedicated to the practice of just sitting for the awakening and benefit of all beings. Visit us to learn about practice schedules, retreats, and community events. https://wix.to/0CW1g7G

Sonoma Mountain Zen Center - Genjo-ji was founded to provide Soto Zen Buddhist practice in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki-roshi to the people of Northern California and around the world. SMZC offers introductory programs, regular & online practice programs, Saturday Communty & Group Retreats

04/24/2026

South Sound Zen and Tacoma Buddhist Temple One Day Sitting(zazen). The mountain is out! Illuminated by its brilliance, deeply rooted and immovable in all conditions. Fully engaged its presence merges with all things. Glistening in front!

04/21/2026

Apr 25, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
Saturday Community Talk by Koten David Price

Talk will be given by Koten (孤天) David Price, senior student of Kwong-roshi and ordained priest, following 10:30-11:00 am zazen. Open to the public. Register at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/saturday-community-talk-by-koten-david-price-on-site-in-zendo-2026-04-25-10-30

Koten began formally practicing Zen at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center where he has lived as a student since 2006. During his residency he has served on the SMZC advisory board as Resident Representative, held the position of Tenzo (Head Cook) and Shissui (Work Leader). Koten received Jukai from Jakusho Kwong-roshi in 2007 and was ordained as a Buddhist Priest in 2012. He has also served as Shuso (Head Student) leading the 30-day intensive practice period in the winter of 2013, giving talks, providing interviews and guiding students through the daily schedule. In February, 2025, Koten finished his 3-month training at Kotaiji in Nagasaki, Japan (Kotaiji in English). Before coming to Genjo-ji, he spent 20 years as a professional cook and chef working in resorts and restaurants from Hawaii to Philadelphia. Koten is a sportsman and enjoys hiking all throughout the Sonoma County and the North Bay.

04/14/2026

Apr 18, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
Saturday Community Talk by Erik 'Zenjin' Shearer

Talk will be given by Erik Zenjin (善神) Shearer, a 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-erik-zenjin-shearer-on-site-in-zendo-2026-04-18-10-30

Erik Zenjin Shearer has been a student at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center since 2011. He currently splits time between Chico and Napa, California where he lives with his wife, sons, and dogs. Zenjin is a visual artist and formerly a tenured professor of visual arts. He currently serves as the Vice President for Instruction at Butte College in Chico and served SMZC for many years as the membership coordinator and Sangha representative on the board of trustees.

04/10/2026

Buddha's Birth Ceremony on Sunday, April 5 was well attended. If you missed it this year, hope you can join us next year! (Photo by Lizbeth 'Myoko' Hamlin)

04/10/2026

May 22, 2026, 4:30 PM PDT – May 23, 2026, 10:00 AM PDT
Kids Community Overnight - Kids Campout Under The Stars!!!

Come pitch a tent and enjoy the spring’s evening sky. A great way to introduce families to SMZC. Both kids and parents are invited to participate in morning and evening light meditation periods. Outdoor marshmallow roast and S’mores. Join us for some down home mountain fun! Register to attend at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/kids-community-overnight-kids-campout-under-the-stars-4