Olympia Zen Center
Order of Ryokan
Zazen, Zen Meditation, is the Center of our Practice and
Daily Life
Olympia Zen Center is open for practice. Please be triple vaccinated against Covid-19. More info on Olympia Zen Center's Health Policy can be found here.
Full Moon Retreat
July 13 to July 17, 2022
Celebrate the summer in practice under a full moon while loosening up the creative mind of Awakening. In this retreat we will take on a project that stimulates the artistic expression and opens us to a new way to see the world around us. Some bring tents and sleeping bags; some sleep inside; some commute. This is one of our truly special retreats that develops camaraderie, an appreciation of nature, and nurtures and restores the spirit in Zazen.
$150 includes three meals each day, plus Dana for the Head Monk
Led by Genjo Mark Yorke, Head Monk
Zoom is by donation.
Please be triple vaccinated and wearing a mask.
For Zazen practice in the Zendo, people wearing tight fitting leotards are asked to please wear a garment that covers the entire torso.
We look forward to a return of Inoue Kando Roshi.
Please watch this space for details on Zoom live from his temple, Shorinji in Japan
"Unless one knows the essence of studying the Way, it is impossible to practice it; for how, otherwise could one determine what is right and what is wrong? Those who now study the Way through the practice of zazen naturally transmit this essence."
Eihei Dogen Zenji
Founder of Soto Zen
More About Our Practice
Zen sitting, Zazen, is our most important matter. All of our actions begin with the spiritual practice of Zazen which is the deepest form of prayer. We also hold ceremonies in which we chant, voicing the Buddhadharma.
The Zafu
The Zafu cushion is used to sit quietly in meditation, but we also offer benches and chairs. This makes it suitable for all ages and abilities to experience profound and restorative silence as we sit together.
Zendo and Dharma Hall
The Zendo, or Dharma hall is our sacred place of practice. A statue of the Buddha reminds us of the virtues advocated in Zen practice and exemplified by the Buddha and our two founders Eihei Dogen Zenji and Keizan Jokin Zenji.
Zen Sitting Together
In this challenging and changing world, we come together to support one another as we sit in silence and strengthen our resolve to Awaken and serve life in the best way possible.
