Olympia Zen Center
Order of Ryokan
ABOUT US
Practicing in Olympia since 1995, we offer meditation services, retreats, study, training and experience in all forms of Soto Zen practice open to everyone, along with practice residency.
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We are completely supported by donations which come from
the heart of Generosity of our many benefactors.
OUR TEACHER AND FOUNDER
Eido Frances Carney received Dharma Transmission from Niho Tetsumei Roshi in 1997 at Entsuji in Kurashiki, Japan. She founded Olympia Zen Center in 1995 when she returned to Olympia after priest training at Shoboji in Iwate Prefecture. She was the first woman and first foreigner to train at this temple founded in the 13th Century. She had been a long-time student of Kobun Chino Otogawa Roshi beginning practice in the early 70's. Kobun Roshi died in 2002.
WHAT WE DO
We are primarily a lay community with Zen Sitting, meditation, as our primary practice. We study Zen Buddhist texts together, meeting to discuss and understand the teachings of the Buddha, Dogen Zenji, our founder, other ancestors and contemporary teachers. We invite visiting teachers from time to time. We study and practice forms of Zen and hold monthly retreats with two week-long retreats per year.
OUR COMMUNITY
We welcome everyone regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, or physical ability.
There is no charge for our instruction or teachings although we do ask for donations for special events. We are completely dependent upon donations and the generosity of our donors.
We are 501(c)3 tax deductible. 
WELCOME!
Visiting teachers come to our temple from various parts of the world to be with us and offer teachings in the Buddhadharma.