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 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.
City Refuge Retreat
With Fuho Larry Trussell
November 5 - 7, 2026
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple will be offering an extended opportunity for retreat practice in the city. This three-day non-residential retreat will include many of the elements you’ll find in sesshin.
November Sesshin – Gratitude
With Jogen Salzberg, Sensei, Bansho Patrick Green, Sensei and Enryu Anusha Fernando
November 9 - 15, 2026
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…
Thanksgiving Day Potluck Celebration at Great Vow
November 26, 2026
Great Vow Zen Monastery
Come celebrate Thanksgiving and the spirit of the Autumn harvest at Great Vow. Vegetarian potluck dinner begins at 4 pm. Main courses (nut loaf, mashed potatoes, stuffing) will be provided by our kitchen. Side dishes, desserts, salads, and other magical accompaniments are brought by guests. Potluck Dinner will be followed by games, dancing, and spontaneous conviviality. Please let us know you're coming by registering. And contact registrar@zendust.org with any questions.
Beginner’s Mind Weekend Meditation Retreat
December 18 - 20, 2026
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…
Jizo’s Vow Workshop at Heart of Wisdom
With Kodo Conover, Shonin Darah Ashton and Kosho Ault
January 8 - 9, 2027
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
As we pass the Winter Solstice and turn to the new year, the time is ripe for contemplating vow. When you think about life’s purpose, what comes up? Zazen and inquiry offer a framework to become grounded and transform the energy of the unknown into possibilities. Zazen teaches us to turn down the volume on the planning, worrying mind and make space for deeper kinds of knowing. Infused with the Great Determination, Optimism, and Fearlessness of Jizo Bodhisattva, vow offers a path to inspire and support our lives. Whether you would like to renew your vow, revise your…
Five Buddhist Precepts for Ethical Living – In Person
With Kodo Conover
January 12 - February 16, 2027
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
These one hour 5 Precepts classes will happen every Tuesday 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.
Winter Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat
With Fuho Larry Trussell
January 23, 2027
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
A Zazenkai is a day of Zen practice in the city. Join us for a silent day of meditation (seated and walking), chanting, mindful eating, temple care-taking, and a dharma talk.
Monastery Winter Practice Period
February 2 - March 28, 2027
Great Vow Zen Monastery
In the stillness and quiet of the monastic container, when we allow the dust to settle and the thinking mind to open and relax, spontaneous wonderment and delight naturally appear. Attention is love. How do we attend to our life? During this practice period we will lean into the natural expression of love and creativity in the day to day activities of Monastery life. The schedule will be much the same as the rest of the year and will include Zazen, work practice, classes and retreats, formal meals and community sharing. Please plan on arriving on February 2nd. …
Investigating Zen Practice: A One-Day Workshop
With Shonin Darah Ashton and Gensho Ed Welsh
February 27, 2027
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
Experience an Introduction to Zen Practice through the Ten Directions. This one-day in-person workshop at Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple is for beginners or those who want to dive deeper into Zen practice. Learn how to practice using ancient methods that are applicable in today’s world: Meditation and sitting with stability Mindfulness practice off the cushion Chanting Mindful eating Work practice Stillness Walking meditation Koans Tradition and ritual Dharma teachings These workshops fill with waitlists. If you are not coming, please let us know ASAP so we can give your spot to someone else. Suggested donation includes a vegetarian/vegan lunch.…