The primary purpose of ZCO is to express and make accessible the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha’s teachings, as transmitted through an authentic, historical lineage and to support and maintain Zen Buddhist practice in order to realize our true nature and actualize the Buddha nature in everyday life.
Great Vow Zen Monastery
A residential Zen community of lay and ordained people practicing and evolving spiritual community in response to our times. Grounded in our lineage inheritance, with an eye open to perspectives and methods that serve our vow for Awakening, we aspire to create and uphold a dynamic and connected community and practice life.
We are accepting applications for residency. Email the director of training, training@zendust.org for an application.
The Zen Community of Oregon welcomes everyone. We study together and practice for the benefit of all beings and this living earth. We recognize the suffering caused by biases, prejudices, systems of power, privilege, and oppression based on race, sex, class, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, ability, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression. We aspire to do no harm and to dismantle barriers that cause separation and suffering, recognizing that our liberation is interconnected with the liberation of all.
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
Located in northeast Portland, Heart of Wisdom is a sanctuary of serenity and community where a spectrum of Buddhist teachings are offered ranging from daily meditation to social action initiatives.
Chant for Peace at Heart of Wisdom
August 22, 2026
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
Interfaith 12 Hour Chant for Peace DATE: Saturday, August 22, 2026 TIME: 9:00am - 9:00pm LOCATION: Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple ADDRESS: 6401 NE 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97211, USA Awake with a passion for inner and global transformation, this 12-hour chanting vigil is a celebration of our spiritual aspirations to see the Sacred in every person, and to live Unconditional Love. This is an Interfaith event. Each hour of the Chant for Peace is led by a different spiritual tradition. We form one community and join our voices together. Chanting is spiritually potent medicine. It aligns heart and mind, connects us…
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Great Vow Work Party – Cider Press Day!
September 4, 2026
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.
Five Buddhist Precepts for Ethical Living – In Person
With Ed Gensho Welsh
September 20 - October 25, 2026
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
These one hour 5 Precepts classes will happen every Sunday for six weeks. We all want to live a compassionate life. The precepts give us a framework for what it means to live an ethical life. More then a set of rules to follow, the precepts are deep inquiries into the actual living of our lives with attention and love. The format is an introductory talk followed by class discussion. Participants will be encouraged to do a short writing on each precept and practice with the precept during the week. There are also some supplemental readings.
Inner Critic Workshop
With Jogen Salzberg, Sensei
October 3, 2026
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
This retreat will bring together parts work modality (i.e. IFS, Voice Dialogue) with Buddhist meditation practices to amplify understanding, empathy and dis-identification from parts, specifically the inner critic and perfectionist, that hinder our unfolding. Sessions will be a mix of silent and guided sitting meditation and group facilitations where participants directly explore parts of themselves such as those listed above. This is for anyone with an aspiration for a liberated heart or who wishes to address obstacles to Dharma practice and self-understanding. First time and experienced meditators are welcome and will find insight and nourishment. In-person only. Saturday October 3rd from 9 am - 5:30 pm (Lunch will be provided.)
New Year’s Eve Ceremony and Celebration
December 31, 2026 - January 1, 2027
Heart of Wisdom
Time swiftly passes by and opportunities are ever present! Let's celebrate our passage through a challenging and eye-opening year and envision how we'd like to step in to the new year. The evening will include guided meditations to help you reflect on what you want to let go of and welcome in, for the new year. As well as, a fire-ceremony of letting-go, atonement and renewal, which we call Fusatsu. We will end the evening with silent zazen meditation and 108 bells to welcome in the New Year.