Olympia Zen Center is a member of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association and the American Zen Teachers' Association.
Residential Practice at Ryoko-an
Application
for Residency (PDF)
Retreats at Gogo-an
Gogo-an
Regulations (PDF)
Gogo-an
Retreat Application (PDF)
Residential Practice at Ryoko-an
Olympia Zen Center, Ryoko-an, has residential openings for serious
practitioners of Soto Zen. Our daily schedule consists of morning zazen
and devotional services Monday through Saturday, a public Dharma talk
in addition to zazen on Wednesday evenings, and a full morning of practice
each Saturday. There is also a retreat day on one Saturday each month.
Having space for only two to three residents, we have learned to be
careful about whom we invite to join us. Thus, we are looking for persons
who are familiar with the rhythms, responsibilities and ceremonies
of temple life, and for whom Zen practice is of paramount importance.
We are located five miles from downtown Olympia and we are not on a busline, so personal automobile transportation is necessary. We would like prospective residents to be known to the Sangha already. If not, we usually ask for a recommendation from a Dharma teacher or mentor of established reputation. Residents are asked to pay tuition to support the temple, and to join voluntarily in the cleaning and upkeep of the practice place. If you would like to be considered, please submit an Application for Residency.
Olympia Zen Center, Ryoko-an is a temple in the Soto Zen tradition in lineage with Niho Tetsumei Roshi and the poet/priest Ryokan, We are a non-profit 501(c)3 religious organization. The practice is under the guidance of Rev. Eido Frances Carney, who received Dharma Transmission from Niho Tetsumei Roshi of Entsuji Temple in Tamashima, Japan, in 1997.
Retreats at Gogo-an
Gogo-an
is a sacred retreat space built to honor our great saint Ryokan san
with whom we are in lineage. Ryokan san lived in the 12' x 12' hermitage,
Gogo-an (five bowls of rice), on the western slope of Mount Kugami
for 23 years. We have established an interpreted replica on the grounds
of Ryoko-an, and we invite you to experience the deep tranquility of
solitary practice during a short-term retreat.
A retreat schedule will be provided for you with several suggested approaches to how to spend your time. You are also free to create your own schedule. However, please do not use your time in idle discussions with residents or practitioners. The intention is solitary practice, silence, reflection time, personal inquiry, and healing. If you choose, you are free to go for walks on the Chehalis Western Trail which adjoins our property.
Please review the Gogo-an Regulations, and submit both a signed copy of these as well as a Gogo-an Retreat Application. Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions.