Olympia Zen Center

The tradition of Soto Zen has its roots in monastic living, which is still maintained today. In these containers of spiritual discipline, daily practice seals the body of the teachings, living and breathing in our world today. Emulating this vigorous spirit, we offer a schedule of weekday practice for each of our community to participate as they are able. You are welcome to come and go at transition points. During morning practice, we maintain “Noble Silence”, a posture of responsive and quiet attentiveness. 

 

We hope you join us, in-person or over Zoom.

 

See further information below the schedule, but please note that not all questions will be answered here! A time honored way to learn in Zen is to jump right in and follow along—if you don’t know how to do something or forget what comes next, it is a great joy for an experienced practitioner or the Head of Practice to point you in the right direction.

 

Daily Schedule

In-Person and Partially On Zoom

Monday through Friday

6am – 8:30am

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6:00              Zazen*, Robe Verse, Kinhin

7:00              Zazen

7:40              Morning Service

8:30             Finish

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* The first period of Zazen is "open," which means that one can arrive anytime between 5:50 and 6:40 to join the period of sitting. Please see below for more information about joining and leaving practice in a way that works for your schedule.

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Monday – Friday

Afternoon Chanting Service

4:00-4:30pm

 

Zoom:

Practice with us through the completion of Morning Service. 

Meeting ID: 971-9333-0252

Password: 324839

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Click here to download Verse of the Lifespan Sutra.

Click here to download OZC Chant book.

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Joining and Leaving Practice:

For morning practice, the practice schedule is permeable so that you can come and go at a transition point. The first period of Zazen is “open,” meaning that you can come any time during the period and begin sitting. It is also fine to come or go after the robe verse is chanted, after kinhin (walking meditation) is finished, and after the second sit, before chanting service. Basically, you can come or go at any transition point to a new activity.

 

Noble Silence:

In formal Zen practice, we cultivate quiet, attentive, and non-social space together. Particularly in our modern human world, our minds exist in a torrent of words, images, and sensory overload. Though spiritual practice isn’t limited to sitting still and being quiet, finding our own hips in the deep sea of mind is aided by silence and stillness.

 

Practice Interview:

This is an opportunity to meet with Genjo, the Head of Practice, to discuss practice and explore Buddhist teachings. This is also a good time to simply get to know the Head of Practice in a one-on-one conversation. Meetings happen privately, and are first-come, first-served. For Tuesday and Thursday mornings, take a card labeled for Practice Interview 1, 2, and 3. When the bell is struck, participants will get up from their seats and go to the meeting room one at a time. If you need guidance, please ask anyone wearing monks robes for assistance!

 

Afternoon Service:

This service is practiced daily in Soto Zen monasteries in Japan. The ritual work enacts the ancient teaching of making offerings to the Hungry Ghosts so that they (and we) may be liberated from suffering.