Profile
Ancient Dragon Zen Gate is a community of practitioners committed to being a home for Soto Zen Buddhist meditation practice in Chicago.
Entryway into Inclusivity and Diversity
A Zen Gate is an entry to the Buddha Way through Zen practice. Our Zen activities (meditation, listening to the Dharma, meeting with our teacher, and mindful service to each other) are all practices that help us to be aware that we live every moment on the threshold of a deeper awareness of ourselves and our community. Our intention is to be inclusive and available to all, and we welcome a diversity of participants.
We are affiliated with the San Francisco Zen Center and the Shunryu Suzuki Roshi lineage. Our Dharma teacher, Rev. Taigen Dan Leighton is an authorized teacher in that lineage and a scholar, author, and Dogen translator. We regularly have Zen teacher and scholar contacts of Taigen's as guest teachers. There are currently five other priests in training assisting with the practice.
Meditation and Practice
We offer a variety of meditation and practice opportunities throughout the year in addition to regular zazen, including frequent half day, one day, and three day meditation retreats (sesshins). There are often talks by guest teachers, seminars and classes. Children’s programs are offered on occasion. Sangha activities vary, but include family picnics and engaged Buddhism opportunities.
We meet for zazen (zen meditation) several times per week at our temple. All are welcome. If you have not practiced Buddhist meditation before, please attend instruction on Sunday morning at 8:45 a.m. This is required before attending our meditation events and can be scheduled at other times if needed.
Regular Weekly Schedule
Monday:
- Evening Zazen and Dharma Talk: 7:15 p.m.
Tuesday:
- Evening Meditation and Recovery Program: 7:15 p.m.
Wednesday:
- Morning Zazen: 7:00 a.m.
- Evening Zazen and dharma talk at Hyde Park’s Rockefeller Chapel: 5:00 p.m.
- Zazen Instruction and Zazen: 5:30 p.m.
Thursday:
- Evening Zazen followed by Suzuki Roshi Reading & Discussion: 7:15 p.m.
Sunday:
- Morning Meditation Instruction: 8:45 a.m.
- Zazen: 9:30 a.m.
- Dharma Talk: 10:15 a.m.
Please see our website for sesshin, classes, and other special events.
