Zen Buddhist Meditation Center
Everyone welcome
***ANNOUNCING***
Our weekly schedule in a nutshell:
SUNRISE MEDITATION: Every morning 6:00-7:05 am. Join us any time.
MON 7:30 - 9:00 PM: Book Discussion Group
TUE 7:30 - 9:00 PM: Skype conference
WED 7:30 - 9:00 PM: Introduction to Zen Meditation
SUN 9:00 AM - NOON: Soto Zen Service
Please find more details following the link
STUDENTS: If you are visiting for a class (e.g. Comparative Religion), please come to our 7:30p Wednesday Workshop: "Introduction to Zen Meditation." You may also attend Sunday morning, but will have less time for Q&A. Please DO NOT drop by unannounced at any other time.
This ensures that there is someone who can answer your questions and you will not disturb the residents.
Atlanta Soto Zen Center is going to be 40 years old in 2017 and our planning committee is working hard to create a memorable event. It will coincide with our annual national affiliate conference and Precepts Sesshin July 11-16, 2017.
If you are interested in helping either with donations or time, please contact Komyo at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Upcoming Events
Kido Listenbee Guest Priest in Residence at ASZC
Will continue her series of classes
CORE SUPPORT FOR ZAZEN AND LIFE
Classes will be held once a month
April 2017 through August 2017
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Classes will meet in the Zendo from 6:30PM-7:30PM
Wednesday, April 19 Skeletal Awareness
Wednesday, May 17 Accessing Deep Postural Muscles
Wednesday, June 14 Attention & Breathing. Hakuin's "Gas Pedal"
July & August dates TBA
Topics will include Sitting to Standing, Biped Walking, 3 Arches of the Feet.
Kido developed her very physical approach to practice through a long career in modern dance and neuromuscular re-education. She holds MA degrees in Dance and Linguistics, and professional certificates in Feldenkrais Method, Laban Movement Analysis, and Pilates. |
| Zen Writers’ Retreat |
| June 24, 2017 |
| At the Atlanta Soto Zen Center |
| 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
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Sit, walk, write, read, repeat. The silence of Zazen can unleash the thunder of creative ideas. During this one-day session, participants will intersperse zazen and kinhin practice with writing periods and readings/discussions of our raw creations developed through this process. Keisei Andrew Dietz will facilitate this sesshin/workshop. As a bonus feature, Taiun Michael Elliston Roshi will lead participants in at least one “set-breaking” exercise designed to unlock our habitual approach to words so that we can see and apply them with fresh perspective. Retreat cost for participation: $50 includes lunch and materials. |
2017 Annual Silent Thunder Order
Precepts Retreat and Conference
Tuesday, July 11, 2017 6:30 PM - Sunday, July 16, 2017 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
The retreat will include a wonderful opportunity to practice together, take part in the STO Conference and 501 (c) (3) Annual General Meeting on Saturday, July 11th and wrap up on Sunday, July 16th with Jukai & Zaike Tokudo Ceremonies.
The conference will include morning workshops for the sharing of ideas and best practices between affiliates as well as introducing the activities presently taking place within the Board and its Committees to help all feel comfortable in participating and contributing their talents. It will include an update on the work done so far on the Matsuoka Documentary and archive. Election of 2017-2018 STO Board of Directors by active members will take place during the afternoon Annual General Meeting portion of the Conference.
This Annual Conference is a great opportunity for old and new practitioners from across North America to practice, learn, and plan together.
PRECEPTS RETREAT
This retreat is Dharma style retreat (more rigorous than a Sangha building retreat but less rigorous than a Buddha style retreat such as Rohatsu), which is open to all and designed for those wishing to formalize their Zen practice and look deeply into the Buddhist Precepts. The retreat will follow the Dharma Retreat Schedule from Wednesday till Friday. Senior Disciples and Practice Leaders will be team teaching with Taiun Roshi on the topic of the Precepts.
Those wishing to assist in planning, taking on working roles during the retreat, and take part in this team teaching opportunity, (as well as Practice Leaders who have members who are planning on taking the Precepts), please e mail the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Retreat Committee to be added to the schedule and/or have preparations made for your members' Jukai ceremony.
Fees are $50 per day full day and $20 for overnight accommodations if required. As supporting member you are eligible for a 25% discount (Apply Discount Code 'DISC25' at the Agenda page when you register). If you face financial hardship please contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss work study opportunities.
Monday Book Discussion Group
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"No Beginning, No End"
by Jakusho Kwong
Starting May 1st, 2017
Every Monday
7:30 - 9:00 pm
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| The first 25 minutes is zazen followed by an informal discussion that ends at 9:00 PM | ||
| Detailed Reading Schedule | ||
| COMMUNITY OUTREACH |
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| • Newcomers | — Instruction/Orientation/Workshop Wed 7:30 pm |
| • Atlanta Region | — Dialog with interfaith groups, schools, public |
| • Training Center | — Formal training of Priests and Disciples of STO |
REGULAR PRACTICE PROGRAM |
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| • Buddha Practice | — Daily sitting meditation sessions (zazen) |
| • Dharma Study | — Regular dialogs & discussion forums |
| • Sangha Service | — Weekly sutra services & social events |
CALENDAR RETREATS |
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| • Zazenkai | — Monthly Friday—Saturday retreat |
| • Sesshin | — Annual; Precepts; Buddha’s Elightenment Day |
| • Hossen | — 5th Sunday Dharma Combat (4/year) |
| • Ango | — 30- & 90-day practice period (student residency) |
SPECIAL EVENTS |
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| • 4th Friday Forum | — Sangha dinner & discussion; guest speakers |
| • Guest Teachers | — Visiting Zen teachers, authors & educators |
| • Holidays | — Buddhist Holidays; Founder’s Day; New Year |
| • Practice Path | — Initiation (Jukai); Discipleship (Zaike Tokudo) |
The Atlanta Soto Zen Center, founded in 1977, is one of the larger non-residential Zen centers in the country, offering a full schedule of morning and evening zazen, zen meditation and protocol instructions for beginners, monthly all-day sittings (zazenkai) and occasional week-long retreats (sesshin).
Please come join us in our beautiful location on Zonolite Place and look for opportunities to begin or deepen your Zen practice.
Please come join us in our beautiful location on Zonolite Place and look for opportunities to begin or deepen your Zen practice.
We also have a network of affiliated centers and sitting groups throughout the country and Atlanta suburbs. For locations, please see the Silent Thunder Order affiliates page.
We are pleased to announce the publication of the first and second volumes of teaching archives of our lineage founder, Rev. Soyu Matsuoka-roshi (click here to purchase).
Silence/Thunder calligraphy by Rev. Dr. Soyu Matsuoka-roshi