Calendar

Great Vow Zen Monastery Zendo

Online Zendo Schedule: 

Sound Sesshin Morning  Schedule

Saturday – Saturday (Connect via Zoom link below)

5:30 am – 6:50 am – Zazen

 7:20  am – Service 

Monastery Sunday Public Program, Clatskanie, Oregon
10AM-12:15PM – in person and online.

YouTube link for Sunday Program
Zoom link for all events

Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple

Sunday Mornings: 9:30AM to 12:00 AM
Led by Zen Teacher Larry Fuho Trussell
Meditation, Dharma talk, and chanting service. During sitting, Fuho offers sanzen, one-on-one meetings about Zen practice.
In Person and Online.
Zoom link for Sunday Morning (must be logged into Zoom)

Sunday Evenings: 7PM to 9:00PM
Led by Hogen Bays, Roshi
Meditation and teachings on Buddhist sutras and spiritual practice.
In Person and Online.
Zoom link for Sunday Evening (must be logged in to Zoom)

Tuesday Evenings: 7:00PM to 9:00PM
 Led by Zen Teacher Nancy Kodo Conover
Meditation, a short talk and group discussion about how Buddhist teachings apply to our life today.
In Person and Online.
Zoom link for Tuesday  Evening (must be logged into Zoom)

Wednesday Evenings: 7PM to 9:00PM
Led by Jogen Sensei
Silent and guided meditation including calm-abiding, emptiness practice and/or loving-kindness followed by dharma talk.           In person and Online. New Zoom link:
Zoom link for Wednesday Evening

Thursday Evenings: 7:00PM to 8:30P

Led by Shonin Ashton and Gensho Welsh
Meditation and Dharma talk with a focus on foundational Buddhist teachings and practices.
In Person and Online.
Zoom link for Thursday Evening (must be logged in to Zoom)

Friday Mornings: 11:00AM to 12:30PM
Led by Doug Onkatsu Kagel
Begins with chanting service, seated and walking meditation, and meditation instruction in the zendo. Open zendo – drop in.
In Person and Online.
Zoom link for Friday Morning (you must be logged into your Zoom account)

Other Ongoing Events

Morning Meditation with Trillium House Residents
Monday – Friday, 6:00am to 7am PT
Online. In person at Heart of Wisdom on Fridays. Zoom link.

Monday Evenings:  6PM to 7:30PM. 
Led by Amy Kisei, Sensei

Guided + silent meditation practice that includes the themes of embodiment, compassion and awareness practices. Dharma talk begins at 6:45P, followed by discussion. Drop in anytime! Online Only. Zoom link for Monday Evening

Tuesday Evenings: 7PM to 8:30PM 
Led by Laura Jomon Martin, Zen Teacher

Vancouver Zen Group
Upstairs from Bauman Chiropractic
202 E. McLoughlin Blvd. Vancouver, WA 98663

In Person and Online.
Zoom link for Tuesday Evening

LGBTQIA+ Dharma Group
Meets monthly on the 1st Saturday, 7pm-830pm PT.
For more information and the Zoom link: Send an email.
In Person at Heart of Wisdom and Online.

The Work of Byron Katie – facilitated by Linda Cho-on Frischmeyer


1st & 3rd Monday each Month: 7:00 – 8:30 pm Online Only. Zoom link for The Work.

1st Friday of the month: 1:00 – 2:00 pm In Person at Heart of Wisdom
Whether you are new to The Work of Byron Katie and want to ‘try it on,’ or are familiar, even experienced, and want to do The Work in a small group setting, this opportunity is for you. We explore a belief common to many (all?!) of us each time we meet.

Friday Evenings: 7:00PM to 8:00PM
Led by Zen Teacher Patrick Bansho Green
Guided meditation on metta (loving-kindness).
Online Only. Zoom link for Friday Evening

Meditation Retreats, Sesshin, Workshops

Workshops and sesshin are currently offered in-person and online format unless otherwise noted.
Please do not attend in person if you feel sick or you live with someone who feels ill.

April 2025

4/13 - 4/19ZCO Bylaws Change – Q&A
4/23Silver Dragons Monthly Gathering – Practicing Impermanence (Online)

May 2025

5/1 - 5/4Love & Spaciousness: A Loving Kindness Weekend Retreat
5/3Service to the Temple
5/4ZCO Annual Meeting
5/4 - 6/816 Bodhisattva Precepts Classes – Online
5/10New Member Tea
5/11 - 6/15Five Buddhist Precepts for Ethical Living – in person
5/12 - 5/18May Sesshin – The Light of our Ancestors
5/18Home Hermitage – A Day Long Retreat Online
5/18Jukai Ceremony at Great Vow Zen Monastery
5/22 - 5/25The Work: a weekend Inquiry workshop
5/28Silver Dragons Monthly Gathering – Practicing Impermanence (Online)
5/30Great Vow Work Party
5/31Drop of Stillness – 1/2 day retreat
5/31Jizo Ceremony for Children Who Have Died

June 2025

6/9 - 6/15June Sesshin – Loving Kindness
6/21Solstice Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat
6/25Silver Dragons Monthly Gathering – Practicing Impermanence (Online)
6/27 - 6/29Mindful Eating Weekend Retreat

July 2025

7/8 - 8/17Summer Residency Program 2025
7/11 - 7/13Beginner’s Mind Weekend Meditation Retreat
7/19Summer Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat
7/21 - 7/27July Sesshin – Summer Breeze

August 2025

8/11 - 8/17Grasses, Trees, and the Great Earth Sesshin

September 2025

9/9 - 9/14Jizo Sesshin
9/18 - 9/21Oceans of Compassion: A Retreat In Service To The Earth
9/27Annual Dinner!

October 2025

10/7 - 12/21Autumn Ango – Fall Residency 2025
10/9 - 10/19October Sesshin – The Ancient Way

November 2025

11/10 - 11/16November Sesshin – Gratitude

December 2025

12/7 - 12/14December Sesshin – Rohatsu

May 2025

5/12 - 5/18May Sesshin – The Light of our Ancestors

June 2025

6/9 - 6/15June Sesshin – Loving Kindness

July 2025

7/21 - 7/27July Sesshin – Summer Breeze

August 2025

8/11 - 8/17Grasses, Trees, and the Great Earth Sesshin

September 2025

9/9 - 9/14Jizo Sesshin

October 2025

10/9 - 10/19October Sesshin – The Ancient Way

November 2025

11/10 - 11/16November Sesshin – Gratitude

December 2025

12/7 - 12/14December Sesshin – Rohatsu

July 2025

7/8 - 8/17Summer Residency Program 2025

October 2025

10/7 - 12/21Autumn Ango – Fall Residency 2025

ZCO Bylaws Change – Q&A

April 13 - 19, 2025
Online
Once a year we gather for an annual membership meeting to reflect on what we've accomplished and intentions for the year ahead.

Silver Dragons Monthly Gathering – Practicing Impermanence (Online)

With Kodo Conover

April 23, 2025
Online Only
Zoom Only In her Dharma Talk “Diving into Impermanence,”Chozen Roshi taught: Impermanence is not just a teaching, it is also a practice. (You can view her Dharma talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuHczgCFWaY) These monthly gatherings are offered for Silver Dragons that is, people 60 and older, to provide an opportunity to co-create an open conversation about dying, death, grief and related topics. In short to face, contemplate, and practice impermanence. These gatherings will be facilitated by Temple Priest Nancy Kodo Conover and ZCO member David Seikan Snyder. Each gathering will open with a short period of Zazen. We will then introduce ourselves…

Love & Spaciousness: A Loving Kindness Weekend Retreat

With Patrick Bansho Green and Myoyu Haley Voekel

May 1 - 4, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery
With wonderment on our side, and in relationship with all that is, we recognize the inherent compassion that naturally arises from deep and sustained presence. Held in a container of zen forms and the vibrant dance of a monastery waking up to spring, we will explore the nature of being anything at all! During this silent retreat our day will unfold within the practices of zazen, chanting, formal meals and a short work practice. Much of the day will be spent in the meditation hall practicing seated meditation together.   Beginners welcome. 🙂   Please see our website Attending a Retreat at Great Vow Zen Monastery for more…

16 Bodhisattva Precepts Classes – Online

With Amy Kisei, Sensei

May 4 - June 8, 2025
Online
The beginning and end of our practice is ethical living; acting, speaking and thinking in ways that support the greatest wellbeing and awakening for all beings. Everyone is welcome to attend these classes, whether you have already formally taken the precepts, are considering taking the precepts, or you are simply curious about the ethical guidelines that rest at the foundation of Zen practice.

Jukai Ceremony at Great Vow Zen Monastery

May 18, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery and Online
Jukai is the process and public ceremony of taking up the 16 precepts, committing to practicing them in everyday life.  People take jukai after some years of practicing with the community, establishing a relationship with one of the teachers, and taking part in sesshin. In this ceremony, people join the lineage so formally become a Zen Buddhist.

Great Vow Work Party

May 30, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery
Working together is part of our spiritual practice, and allows us to honor and care for the sacred space that Heart of Wisdom provides in our city. Please join with community for this morning of practice and work together.

June Sesshin – Loving Kindness

With Jogen Salzberg, Sensei and Laura Jomon Martin

June 9 - 15, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery or Online
Because of our past as well as presently existing beliefs and attitudes, our capacity to meet ourselves and life and the people, places and things within it, with an open heart, is probably not fully embodied. Buddha taught that love and friendliness can be developed immeasurably, and that there is only benefit in filling ourselves and the world with love’s energy. In this retreat we will engage various practices for opening the aperture of the heart wider than its default setting with the goal of familiarizing ourselves with just how much freedom we have to be warm and open, even…

Solstice Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat

With Larry Fuho Trussell

June 21, 2025
Heart Of Wisdom Zen Temple
This is a silent day of Zen Buddhist meditation practice together, seated and active. The schedule includes meditation (zazen), chanting, caring for the garden and grounds, and Dharma talk.

Beginner’s Mind Weekend Meditation Retreat

With Laura Jomon Martin and Myoyu Haley Voekel

July 11 - 13, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery
The teachings and practices of Zen Buddhism empower us to live our lives wholeheartedly with openness, insight and compassion. During this weekend retreat we follow a silent retreat schedule, which allows us to temporarily put aside outside concerns and go deeply into inner work. The silent retreat schedule includes about seven hours of sitting meditation (with breaks), Buddhist chanting services, formal oriyoki meals, and a period of community work practice. On the first evening the retreat leaders will give thorough instruction on the foundations and methods of Zen meditation. Opportunities to meet with a teacher or senior practitioner to discuss…

Summer Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat

With Darah Shonin Ashton

July 19, 2025
Heart Of Wisdom Zen Temple
This is a silent day of Zen Buddhist meditation practice together, seated and active. The schedule includes meditation (zazen), chanting, caring for the garden and grounds, and Dharma talk.

July Sesshin – Summer Breeze

With Patrick Bansho Green and Darah Shonin Ashton

July 21 - 27, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery
Summer is bright and alive. The sun hangs high in the sky, illuminating the earth with unflinching clarity. What wisdom does a warm summer day offer? Everything is laid bare before the luminous rays of the sun. In this meditation immersion, we will endeavor to study the self, forget the self and glimpse Buddha Nature, opening in silent communion with this community of human and non- human beings. This is our collective awakening.

Grasses, Trees, and the Great Earth Sesshin

With Amy Kisei, Sensei and Myoyu Haley Voekel

August 11 - 17, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery
Earth body, sky heart. Rooted and flowing. Luminous and open. We are made of earth and sky, of wind breath and rain song, our lives woven from the teachings of the natural world. This retreat is an opportunity to re-connect and relax into the wild, ancient, wisdom of the Grasses, Trees and Great Earth. We will spend time learning from each of the five elements, as they manifest in our experience. Deeply exploring and releasing into our interconnection with the living, breathing body of the Earth, waters, energizing air, bright fiery sun, and vast spacious sky. This retreat is held…

Jizo Sesshin

With Jan Chozen Bays, Roshi and Laura Jomon Martin

September 9 - 14, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery - In Person Only
This retreat begins on Tuesday!   This retreat will focus on the qualities of Jizo Bodhisattva, guardian of all that comes from the earth, and Jizo’s qualities – benevolence, optimism, fearlessness, determination, and vow. A unique element of this retreat is the inclusion of time devoted to art projects, creative time, and a slide show and talk about Jizo. As part of our practice, we will be making small Jizo-related items. Due to the nature of this retreat schedule, we will be sitting outside and also out of the zendo to make art, there will not be an online option.…

Oceans of Compassion: A Retreat In Service To The Earth

With Kodo Conover and Laura Jomon Martin

September 18 - 21, 2025
Offsite: Beverly Beach State Park
In conjunction with SOLVE’s Oregon Beach Cleanup activities, you’re invited to join the Zen Community of Oregon for a weekend CAMPING/MEDITATION retreat at BEVERLY BEACH STATE PARK. Take a weekend on the coast to connect with the Sangha. With a relaxed schedule and opportunity for socializing, there will be sitting times, Dharma talks, and practices to take with you into the clean-up.

Annual Dinner!

September 27, 2025
Saint Andrew Catholic Church
Once a year we gather for a dinner celebration to reflect on what we've accomplished and intentions for the year ahead.

Autumn Ango – Fall Residency 2025

With Hogen and Chozen Roshi, Patrick Bansho Green and Myoyu Haley Voekel

October 7 - December 21, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery
This Dharma is abundantly present in each human being, but if we do not practice it, it does not manifest itself, and if we do not experience it, it cannot be realized. - Dogen Zenji In communion with our ancestors who set aside time each year for deep retreat, the Monastery offers this Autumn Ango.  Ango is a celebration of stillness and quiet contemplation, upheld with the support of community and teachers. Ango can be translated to mean peaceful dwelling. During this practice period our daily schedule takes on a tone of a light retreat which includes more zazen (about…

October Sesshin – The Ancient Way

With Hogen Bays, Roshi, Jogen Salzberg, Sensei and Danney Soten Lynch

October 9 - 19, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery or Online
There is something very special about the magic of autumn and the kicking off of the fall ango practice period that makes this sesshin so powerful. What a great gift it is to be able to sit together in silence. This is our longest sesshin of the year. The extra days enable us drop down into the bare bones essentials of our lives. We have this rare opportunity to turn towards the practice/awakening that is our true nature, and to celebrate quietly together in the container of sesshin. Day after day plunge into the waters of mystery and exploration. Turn…

November Sesshin – Gratitude

With Laura Jomon Martin, Myoyu Haley Voekel and Anusha Enryu Fernando

November 10 - 16, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery
With gratitude for our beloved sangha near and far, the Monastery joyfully offers another sesshin. This sesshin has no set price. All are welcome to attend, and donations from the heart are welcome. During this week of practice, we will eat only the offerings brought to us specifically for this retreat. So food donations, while always welcome, are particularly helpful! Bring food that you like to eat, bring food that will challenge our kitchen team and cook. The head cook (tenzo) will need to dive into creativity and allow the surprises of each donation manifest our meals. We will otherwise…

December Sesshin – Rohatsu

With Hogen Bays, Roshi, Larry Fuho Trussell and Myoyu Haley Voekel

December 7 - 14, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery or Online
  The light of the Buddha's awakening has not dimmed. This very moment, alive, awake and luminous. Each year people from all over the world gather to celebrate, to sit in stillness and to be nourished by this truth. All over the world people join in the ritual of Rohatsu sesshin. This sesshin is the culmination of a year of practice and is also the culmination of our fall Ango practice period. At many centers and monasteries, this is the most valued sesshin of the year, and may be the only one that many people are able to attend. We…