Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

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Santa Rosa, CA
Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

Sonoma Mountain Zen Center is situated on 80 acres of rolling hills and mountainous land, located 11 miles from the town of Santa Rosa.

09/27/2025

Sep 30, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM PDT
Fall Study Group - ON SITE or ONLINE

Explore the fundamental teachings of Buddhism and build a foundation for daily practice through discussions on the book “The Roots of Goodness: Zen Master Dogen’s Teaching on the Eight Qualities of a Great Person” commentary by Kosho Uchiyama Roshi, translated by Daistu Tom Wright.

Register to attend all 8 weeks at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/fall-study-group-on-site-or-online-all-class-pass-for-8-weeks-3
Register to attend week 1 at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/fall-study-group-on-site-or-online-week-1-of-8-only-2025-09-30-19-30

09/26/2025

Oct 25, 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
Sonoma Mandala Coming Alive: Zen Conversations for a New Era

A special conversation between Nyoze-osho, Abbot of Sonoma Mountain Zen Center and Jakusho Kwong-roshi, Wisdom Holder and Founder of SMZC. Conversation will be moderated by special guest Peter Coyote. Special lunch to follow afterwards. Free admission. RSVP at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/sonoma-mandala-coming-alive-zen-conversations-for-a-new-era-on-site-in-zendo-2025-10-25-10-00

09/25/2025

Sep 27, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
Saturday Community Talk by Ron Berger

Talk will be given by Ron Berger, following 10:30 am zazen. Open to the public. Register to attend on site at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/saturday-community-talk-by-ron-berger-on-site-in-zendo-2025-09-27-10-30

09/19/2025

Sep 20, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
Saturday Community Talk by Kashin Kwong

Talk will be given by Kashin (花真) Kwong, following 10:30 am zazen. Open to the public. Register to attend on site at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/saturday-community-talk-by-kashin-kwong-on-site-in-zendo-2025-09-20-10-30

09/12/2025

Sep 28, 2025, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM PDT
Fall Workfest

It's time for together-action as one body. We will be working on fall zendo winterization, garden fence replacement, and fall garden cleanup. Garden gloves will be provided , but please bring a pair of garden gloves if you have one. Bring family and friends: Any amount of help you can offer will be greatly appreciated. Vegetarian lunch at 12 noon will be provided. All are welcome! RSVP at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/fall-workfest-2025-09-28-08-30

09/11/2025

Sep 13, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
Saturday Community (Talk by Shindo Kevin Souza)

Talk will be given by Shindo (心土) Kevin Souza, following 10:30 am zazen. Open to the public. Register to attend on site at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/saturday-community-talk-by-shindo-kevin-souza-on-site-in-zendo-2025-09-13-10-30

09/09/2025

Sep 27, 2025, 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Kids & Youth Community Monthly

Join us for a morning of mindfulness and discovery at the Zen Center, designed for kids and youth. While parents participate in meditation and a Dharma talk, children and teens will engage in fun, age-appropriate activities that foster awareness and connection. Kids & Youth activities are led by our sangha member Kristin 'Misan' Nichols and Alexandra Thomas. Plan to meet at the Sangha House at 10 am. 12:15 pm–1:30 pm Buffet Lunch. Open to the public. Register at www.smzc.org.

09/03/2025

Sep 06, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
Saturday Community (Talk by Nyoze Kwong)

Talk will be given by Nyoze Kwong-roshi, abbot of SMZC, following 10:30-11:00 am zazen. Open to the public. Register to attend on site at https://www.smzc.org/events-1/saturday-community-talk-by-nyoze-kwong-roshi-on-site-in-zendo-2025-09-06-10-30

09/02/2025

Sep 05, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM PDT
September Fusatsu Ceremony

Atonement Ceremony is a Buddhadharma training—Blessing from the teacher and a ritual of chanting, bowing, purification, and renewal of vows/direction. Traditionally practiced on the full moon, Fusatsu is one of the most beautiful and profound ceremonies in the Zen tradition. Together, we acknowledge our karmic entanglements and hindrances, at-one for the beginningless greed, anger, and ignorance—restoring harmony and happiness.

7:30 - 8:00pm Zazen / 8:00 - 9:00pm Service
Donations are appreciated. Open to YOU!

08/26/2025

Aug 30, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
Summer Ango Closing Ceremony & Mondo

Join us for Summer Ango 'Revealing the Dharma' Closing Ceremony & Mondo with Shuso Kakuryu (覚龍) Noel McKenna. 10:30am Closing Ceremony & Mondo, followed by zazen. 12:00pm Informal Lunch

08/23/2025

Aug 23, 2025, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM PDT
Sesshin Talk by Shuso Kakuryu Noel McKenna, following one period of zazen. Open to the public. Register at www.smzc.org.

About Shuso: Kakuryu (覚龍) Noel McKenna began his Dharma path in 2000 in the Tibetan tradition and was ordained in Dharamsala, India the following year. He completed the traditional Karma Kagyu Three Year Retreat in 2007 at Palpung Thubten Choling Monastery in upstate New York. While still a Tibetan monk, he pursued his emerging interest in Zen, traveling to Pioneer Valley Zendo in Charlemont, Massachusetts, sitting zazenkai and sesshin with Eishin Ikeda. Kakuryu received Jukai in 2021 from Carol Honmei Morley Sensei. He has been studying and practicing under the guidance of Jakusho Kwong-roshi and Nyoze Kwong-roshi since 2022. Kakuryu participated in the Summer Ango Sesshin in 2024, and Genjo-ji has been in his heart since. He lives in Norwood, Massachusetts with his partner Shane and cat, Junior and works as a medical assistant.

08/22/2025

Aug 22, 2025, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM PDT
Sesshin Talk by Kwong-roshi - ON SITE (in Zendo)

Dharma talk will be given by Jakusho Kwong-roshi, following one period of zazen. Open to the public. Register at www.smzc.org.

Jakusho Kwong-roshi is the founder of Sonoma Mountain Zen Center - Genjoji Temple, authorized by the Sotoshu in Japan. He is a Dharma Holder of the late Shunryu Suzuki-roshi’s lineage. Kwong-roshi travelled and taught throughout America and Asia as well as Poland and Iceland where Zen practice places have been established. Also he has deep connections with the Theravadin, Shambhala, Rinzaiji, Soen-Korean Zen with Christian Carmelite, Benedictine, and Jewish traditions. He had the good karma to meet all the great Asian teachers who came West. His publications include No Beginning, No End, Mind Sky, and Breath Sweeps Mind (CD). On an auspicious day in December 2024, Kwong-roshi was honored to receive the Dharma Cloud rakusu from Daihi Gengo Akiba-roshi, Director of Sotoshu of North America.

Address

6367 Sonoma Mountain Road
Santa Rosa, CA
95404

Website

http://www.smzc.org/

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