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.
Friday Night Metta – In Person at Heart of Wisdom!
With Patrick Bansho Green
July 10, 2026
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple / Online
Please join Zen Teacher Bansho on Friday, July 10 for an evening of Metta, also known as Loving Kindness. We'll practice with both guided and silent Metta meditation. This is usually a Zoom-only event, but this is a special offering that will take place at Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple as well as online. Loving Kindness can be our foundation and the place from which we engage with our life. Come and share in this practice of loving kindness in the warmth of Sangha. We do this together! 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm Zoom Link: Zoom link for…
Seeing Through Obstacles – Inner Critic Weekend Retreat
With Patrick Bansho Green and Laura Jomon Martin
July 31 - August 2, 2026
Great Vow Zen Monastery
“Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes.” – W. Whitman Transformation of our hearts and minds has never been more vital. The very possibility for future humans to experience Truth, Beauty and Goodness is up in the air! And yet, most of us have significant challenges following through with our aspirations and continuing through the ups and downs that come with committed Dharma work. This retreat will bring together inner critic work with Buddhist meditation practices to amplify understanding and dis-identify from ‘voices’ or ‘selves’ that hinder our unfolding. We will also…
Full Moon Fusatsu – Affirming the Precepts
With Kodo Conover, Myoyu Haley Voekel and Onshin Landry
August 2, 2026
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple and Online
Fusatsu is an ancient bowing and chanting ceremony with origins dating back to the time of the Buddha, when monks would gather under the full moon to renew their vows. This ritual traveled through India, China, and Japan, becoming a significant monthly ceremony in the large monasteries of Japan. In this ceremony, we re-affirm our commitments to live according to the Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts, our Ethical Guidelines for everyday life. Fusatsu will take place during our regular Sunday evening program after a period of zazen. The evening's schedule may be slightly altered but will still be held from 7 -…
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…