A Year of Practice, A Year of Gratitude, and an Expanding Community!

Now is a time to really take in the things that are beneficent in the world when we run across them: What are the things that are wholesome? Where are the daily kindnesses and supports that might otherwise go unnoticed?

 

Look to our places of practice! Plum Blossom Zendo, part of the Zen Community of Oregon family, has been meeting in person in Vancouver, WA for over a year. We are so grateful for the generosity of Jon and Debra Bauman, for opening their gorgeous yoga space to us to incubate the seeds of this community.

 

A year of practice has prepared at least 4 and maybe a few more people to be ready for a 5 Precepts ceremony in the coming months. Each week many people step forward in service, to make sure all the bells ring, and all the people are welcomed. People who may not have set foot in a Zendo before this one have stepped forward to help take care of this offering. There were a couple of times this year that we reached our maximum capacity! This let us know it was time to start looking for a larger space.

 

Our 1-year anniversary celebration took place this January at the United Church of Christ. In exploring the possibility of a move, we found in the UCC a broad ecumenical appreciation, an alignment of mission, and a priority on relationship. We are proceeding with a move, and we will offer Zen practice there starting April 7, 2026. We now have room to grow, room for quarterly Zazenkai, an industrial kitchen, and an instant community in both the UCC and the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) also practicing there.

 

With gratitude to the UCC, Pastor Steve King, and the many congregants who support and maintain the church, THANK YOU! What a blessing to be welcomed and sheltered by this community. May this connection may benefit all beings in each community, and far beyond!

 

EVERYONE is invited to attend Plum Blossom Zendo. We meet every Tuesday evening from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. And on zoom:


  • Through March 31, 2026 we will still meet upstairs at Bauman Chiropractic 202 E Mcloughlin Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98663


  • Starting April 7, 2026 we will meet at the Vancouver United Church of Christ 1220 NE 68th St. Vancouver, WA 98665