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Sonoma Mountain Zen Center is a Soto Zen practice center in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki-roshi, founded by abbot Jakusho Kwong-roshi. Our temple is dedicated to the act of Zazen, "just sitting." Our residency trains in a monastic schedule and hosts events and retreats for a wider community of spiritual practice. Our temple sits at the top of Sonoma Mountain, one hour north of San Francisco Bay Area, overlooking ancient oaks, redwood groves, and the Valley of the Moon. Join us in practice.

Living at SMZC

People interested in deepening their practice can live and train at Sonoma Mountain Zen Center as a resident. The Zen Center is a lay practice temple that creates an environment for infusing Zen practice into all daily activities.

  • Personal/Solo Retreat

  • Guest Resident Practice (up to 3 months)

  • Resident Training (1 year minimum)

Shinsanshiki Ceremony

Welcoming New Abbot Nyoze Kwong

On September 2, 2023 we celebrated the installation of our new abbot of Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. Nyoze represents the 92nd unbroken blood-lineage tracing back to Shakyamuni Buddha.

SMZCsept2nd-025.jpg

Upcoming Events ON SITE (in Person in the Zendo)
If you live within driving distance, please register to attend on site. For those who live out of town or unable to attend in person, see the event calendar to register for online events.

  • Ringing in the New Year: Welcoming 2025 Year of the Snake - ON SITE (in Zendo)
    Ringing in the New Year: Welcoming 2025 Year of the Snake - ON SITE (in Zendo)
    Membership Offer
    Ringing in the New Year: Welcoming 2025 Year of the Snake - ON SITE (in Zendo)
    Tue, Dec 31
    Zendo & Sangha House
    Dec 31, 2024, 10:30 PM PST – Jan 01, 2025, 1:00 AM PST
    Zendo & Sangha House, 6367 Sonoma Mountain Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, USA
    Dec 31, 2024, 10:30 PM PST – Jan 01, 2025, 1:00 AM PST
    Zendo & Sangha House, 6367 Sonoma Mountain Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, USA
    A wonderful chance to get together and renew our commitment to practice for the New Year. Onsite only event (not available online).
  • 'New Year's Entering the Gate' 1-Day Sitting - ON SITE (in Zendo)
    'New Year's Entering the Gate' 1-Day Sitting - ON SITE (in Zendo)
    Multiple Dates
    'New Year's Entering the Gate' 1-Day Sitting - ON SITE (in Zendo)
    Fri, Jan 03
    Zendo
    Jan 03, 2025, 6:00 PM PST – Jan 04, 2025, 5:30 PM PST
    Zendo, 6367 Sonoma Mountain Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, USA
    Jan 03, 2025, 6:00 PM PST – Jan 04, 2025, 5:30 PM PST
    Zendo, 6367 Sonoma Mountain Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, USA
    Begin the new year with a day spent in silence to manifest your true nature, your original mind. Perfect for beginning as well as experienced sitters. RSVP and we will email to confirm accommodation details and complete your registration. $85-160/night. 10-20% discount for members.
  • January Fusatsu Ceremony - ON SITE (in Zendo)
    January Fusatsu Ceremony - ON SITE (in Zendo)
    Multiple Dates
    January Fusatsu Ceremony - ON SITE (in Zendo)
    Fri, Jan 10
    Zendo
    Jan 10, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM PST
    Zendo, 6367 Sonoma Mountain Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, USA
    Jan 10, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM PST
    Zendo, 6367 Sonoma Mountain Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, USA
    Be present for & experience the Fusatsu (布薩) At-one-ment Ceremony of release, purification, and presence with the full moon. 7:30 – 8:00pm Zazen 8:00 – 9:00pm Service
  • Founder's Sunrise Ceremony - ON SITE
    Founder's Sunrise Ceremony - ON SITE
    Founder's Sunrise Ceremony - ON SITE
    Sat, Dec 07
    Stupa & Sangha House
    Dec 07, 2024, 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM PST
    Stupa & Sangha House, 6367 Sonoma Mountain Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, USA
    Dec 07, 2024, 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM PST
    Stupa & Sangha House, 6367 Sonoma Mountain Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, USA
    Sangha members, families and friends are invited to attend our annual Founder's Sunrise Ceremony at 6:00am. By donation.
  • Tetsuya: All-Night Sitting & Founder's Sunrise Ceremony - ON SITE
    Tetsuya: All-Night Sitting & Founder's Sunrise Ceremony - ON SITE
    Membership Offer
    Tetsuya: All-Night Sitting & Founder's Sunrise Ceremony - ON SITE
    Fri, Dec 06
    Zendo
    Dec 06, 2024, 7:00 PM PST – Dec 07, 2024, 8:00 AM PST
    Zendo, 6367 Sonoma Mountain Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, USA
    Dec 06, 2024, 7:00 PM PST – Dec 07, 2024, 8:00 AM PST
    Zendo, 6367 Sonoma Mountain Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, USA
    In the spirit of Buddha’s enlightenment, on Friday night we will be in tetsuya, which means we will “sit through the whole night,” from 12:00 am to 4:00 am. $25 admission
  • Rohatsu 5-Day Sesshin (1 to 5 Overnights) - ON SITE (in Zendo)
    Rohatsu 5-Day Sesshin (1 to 5 Overnights) - ON SITE (in Zendo)
    Rohatsu 5-Day Sesshin (1 to 5 Overnights) - ON SITE (in Zendo)
    Mon, Dec 02
    Zendo
    Dec 02, 2024, 6:00 PM PST – Dec 07, 2024, 8:00 AM PST
    Zendo, 6367 Sonoma Mountain Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, USA
    Dec 02, 2024, 6:00 PM PST – Dec 07, 2024, 8:00 AM PST
    Zendo, 6367 Sonoma Mountain Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, USA
    This retreat is a period of time set aside to let go of the conditioned self and resume our original nature. RSVP and we will email to confirm accommodation details and complete your registration via online invoice. $85/night & up. 10-20% discount for members.
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