About Sonoma Mountain Zen Center
For nearly fifty years, Sonoma Mountain Zen Center has hosted visitors from around the world seeking to reconnect with their true nature. An authentic Soto Zen temple known as Genjoji ("present moment manifesting"), the center has served as a refuge for spiritual seekers since 1973. The temple was founded by its guiding teacher, Jakusho Kwong-roshi, to continue the lineage of his teacher, Shunryu Suzuki-roshi who came from Japan in 1959 to spread Zen Buddhism in the West.
Recognizing the great mountain as a place of profound spiritual power, a residential and retreat sanctuary was established on the eighty acres of secluded oak woodlands and redwood forest overlooking the Valley of the Moon...a unique sanctuary supporting the deep focus needed for spiritual retreat where visitors can drop into the stillness of Zen without distraction.
A World Apart...
Over the decades, people from all walks of life have benefitted from the restorative environment of the temple grounds steeped in decades of continuous meditation practice. Guests often remark feeling a sense that they've finally "come home" when visiting this mountain sanctuary.
​
Guests will enjoy warm and welcoming hospitality and participate in a gently immersive schedule that offers a taste of Zen practice in action. Simple accommodations and delicious, nutritious vegetarian meals are offered to visiting guests during their stay.
Location
The Zen Center is located 60 to 90 minutes from the San Francisco and Oakland airports and just 30 minutes from the Santa Rosa airport. Nearby places of interest include the winemaking regions of the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Sonoma Valleys, the Russian River Resort Area and the beautiful California Coast at Bodega Bay.
