Calendar
Great Vow Zen Monastery Zendo
Online Zendo Schedule:
Schedule for the week of January 15th – January 18th
Wednesday – Saturday (Connect via Zoom link below)
6:00 am – 6:30 am – Morning Service
6:30 – 7:20 am – Zazen
Monastery Sunday Public Program, Clatskanie, Oregon
10AM-12:15PM – in person and online.
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
Sunday Mornings: 9:30AM to 11:30AM
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 8:30PM
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 – 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: Jan 7th and 14th 7PM – 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
No meeting Monday, Jan. 20, or Saturday, Jan. 25.
1st & 3rd Monday each Month: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
2nd and 4th Saturdays each Month: 4:00 – 5:30 pm
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.
Online Only. Zoom link for The Work.
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
Please do not attend in person if you feel sick or you live with someone who feels ill.
February 2025 | |
| 2/3 - 2/9 | Pari-Nirvana Sesshin: A Meditation Retreat exploring Life, Death & the Unknown |
March 2025 | |
| 3/14 - 3/23 | March Sesshin – Deep Listening |
April 2025 | |
| 4/14 - 4/20 | Koan Sesshin |
May 2025 | |
| 5/12 - 5/18 | May Sesshin – The Light of our Ancestors |
June 2025 | |
| 6/9 - 6/15 | June Sesshin – Loving Kindness |
July 2025 | |
| 7/21 - 7/27 | July Sesshin – Summer Breeze |
August 2025 | |
| 8/11 - 8/17 | Grasses, Trees, and the Great Earth Sesshin |
September 2025 | |
| 9/16 - 9/21 | Jizo Sesshin |
October 2025 | |
| 10/9 - 10/19 | October Sesshin – The Ancient Way |
December 2025 | |
| 12/7 - 12/14 | December Sesshin – Rohatsu |
January 2025 | |
| 1/18 | Winter Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat |
| 1/26 | Home Hermitage – A Day Long Retreat Online |
February 2025 | |
| 2/13 - 2/16 | Emergent Darkness – A Creative Process, Parts Work and Zen Retreat |
| 2/20 - 2/22 | City Refuge: Meditation Retreat |
| 2/28 - 3/2 | Beginner’s Mind Weekend Meditation Retreat |
April 2025 | |
| 4/19 | Spring Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat |
Sorry, no programs exist here.
Retreat Cabin Application
Open Dates
Great Vow Zen Monastery
The retreat hut is available only to those who have already participated in a weekend retreat or longer here at the monastery. The monastery retreat cabin rests on the edge of our 23 acres of forest. Though, just a short walk to the monastery buildings, it has a feeling of a forest hermitage. Equipped with running water, electricity, a small kitchenette with electric stovetop and small refrigerator and a compost toilet it is an ideal location for doing short solo retreat practice. You will have access to our forest trail system, beautiful meadows and gardens, as well as the privacy…
Awakening to the Delusion of Whiteness Sign up Deadline
January 15, 2025
Online
Awakening to the Delusion of Whiteness is an affinity group that helps white people navigate an exploration of the elements that have contributed to the often unconscious identity as “white.” We explore in this way with an understanding that our own liberation/awakening is intimately bound to one another. Participants in the ADW affinity group will learn about whiteness, privilege, and racism as well as turn inward to engage in deeply reflective spiritual practice. The course is guided by volunteers who are practicing members of the Zen Community of Oregon as well as graduates of Awakening to the Delusion of Whiteness. WHEN…
Awakening to the Delusion of Whiteness: Using the Dharma to Dismantle Oppression
January 15 - June 22, 2025
Online
Awakening to the Delusion of Whiteness is structured as an “affinity group” for white people to explore the elements that have contributed to this often unconscious identity. We explore in this way with an understanding that our own liberation/awakening is intimately bound to one another.
Friday Night Metta – in person!
With Patrick Bansho Green
January 17, 2025
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple / Online
Please join Zen Teacher Bansho this Friday, January 17th, for an evening of Metta, also known as Loving Kindness. 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 Friday Evening
Winter Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat
With Jogen Salzberg, Sensei
January 18, 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.
Home Hermitage – A Day Long Retreat Online
With Jogen Salzberg, Sensei
January 26, 2025
Online
We will spend a day meditating in the intimate aloneness that embraces all beings. Doing sustained zazen in our own dwelling place and its wild domesticity invites the desired integration of the everyday and the sacred. […]
Investigating Zen Practice: a one-day workshop
With Kosho Ault and Ed Gensho Welsh
February 1, 2025
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 Lunch is included. Your RSVP helps us know how much lunch to prepare.
Death’s Tiny Tea House – Diving into Impermanence
February 2, 2025
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
The Buddha’s teachings on impermanence and death are fundamental: “I am of the nature to die, there is no way to escape death. “All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature of change; there is no way to escape being separated from them.” The Five Remembrances And, at the same time, we live and practice in a culture that generally discourages discussion of dying, death, and grief. Death’s Tiny Tea House will provide the community an opportunity to co-create an open conversation about dying, death, grief and related topics. There is no…
Basics of Buddhism: Online class series
With Laura Jomon Martin and Ed Gensho Welsh
February 2 - March 2, 2025
Online
This course introduces the key teachings of Buddhism as they are embodied in our Zen tradition. We will explore the biography of the Buddha in historical context and engage with the foundational practices he taught. This course is a requirement for Jukai, but anyone who is interested is welcome to participate. This class takes place on concurrent Sundays, beginning February 2nd from 3:30 to 5:30 pm
Pari-Nirvana Sesshin: A Meditation Retreat exploring Life, Death & the Unknown
With Amy Kisei, Sensei and Laura Jomon Martin
February 3 - 9, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery or Online
Zen meditation is an invitation to the unknown. During this sesshin we take up the Buddha's Parinirvana--the Buddha's death, as the essential inquiry into our own relationship with death, dying and the uncertainties of this life. How often in your daily life do you allow yourself to reflect on your own mortality, your own death? This sesshin provides the structure and support needed to look into the fears and anxieties surrounding death, dying and the unknown. Supported by the stillness and quiet of winter, we allow the body, heart and mind to deeply settle and rest - as we feel…
Emergent Darkness – A Creative Process, Parts Work and Zen Retreat
With Amy Kisei, Sensei and Myoyu Haley Voekel
February 13 - 16, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery
Darkness is the home from which you come - Here in winter’s cold, dark hour—what is waiting to emerge? Zen practice and the creative process invite us into the mysterious source from which all things seem to arise. Darkness is pregnant, the empty page full of potential---a plum blossom emerges from within winter’s cold, barren grip. What happens when we enter the darkness of not-knowing? Take a step off a one-hundred foot pole—one Zen koan instructs. Form is emptiness, emptiness form—another koan says. Zen practice celebrates the spontaneity and responsiveness that comes from peering through fixed beliefs and opening to…
Death’s Tiny Tea House – The Nine Contemplations of Atisha
With Kodo Conover
February 17, 2025
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
The Buddha’s teachings on impermanence and death are fundamental: “I am of the nature to die, there is no way to escape death. “All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature of change; there is no way to escape being separated from them.” The Five Remembrances Death’s Tiny Tea House will provide the community an opportunity to co-create an open conversation about dying, death, grief and related topics. There is no agenda or objective for this conversation. Participants are requested to read Joan Halifax Roshi’s discussion of the Nine Contemplations of…
City Refuge: Meditation Retreat
With Kodo Conover
February 20 - 22, 2025
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.
Death’s Tiny Tea House – Online Silver Dragon
With Kodo Conover
February 27, 2025
ONLINE
The Five Remembrances And, at the same time, we live and practice in a culture that generally discourages discussion of dying, death, and grief. Death’s Tiny Tea House will provide Silver Dragons (those at least 60 years old or have a life threatening condition) in the community an opportunity for an open conversation about death and related topics. Discussion at this Tea House will start from Ajaan Chah’s talk “Our Real Home -- A Talk to an Aging Lay Disciple Approaching Death” https://accesstoinsight.org/lib/thai/chah/bl111.html “Anyone can build a house of wood and bricks, but the Buddha taught that that sort…
Death’s Tiny Tea House – What Dies?
February 28, 2025
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
The Five Remembrances And, at the same time, we live and practice in a culture that generally discourages discussion of dying, death, and grief. Death’s Tiny Tea House will provide the community an opportunity for an open conversation about death and related topics. Discussion at this Tea House will start from Hogen Bays Roshi’s Short talks: “What Dies?” and “Zen View of Reincarnation " If you have time and interest, you may also find it beneficial to read Bhikkhu Bodhi’s article “Does Rebirth Make Sense?" The Tea House conversation will be facilitated by ZCO member David Seikan Snyder. Hopefully the…
Beginner’s Mind Weekend Meditation Retreat
With Myoyu Haley Voekel
February 28 - March 2, 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…
16 Bodhisattva Precepts Online Classes
With Larry Fuho Trussell
March 2 - April 6, 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. Anyone who has taken the 5 Precepts Class can take this class, 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.
March Sesshin – Deep Listening
With Jogen Salzberg, Sensei, Hogen Bays, Roshi and Anusha Enryu Fernando
March 14 - 23, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery or Online
Awareness meeting sound has been a gate into the depths of the heart-mind for as long as human beings hve longed to open. During this sesshin we come together in joyous recognition of the power of deep listening, and sink into the rhythms of our wild, wonderful and mysterious life.
Investigating Zen Practice: a one-day workshop
With Kosho Ault and Ed Gensho Welsh
April 12, 2025
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 Lunch is included. Your RSVP helps us know how much lunch to prepare.
Koan Sesshin
With Jan Chozen Bays, Roshi, Larry Fuho Trussell and Patrick Bansho Green
April 14 - 20, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery
Zen koans are words, phrases or questions that can re-orient us from the discriminating mind to the One Mind, from the Relative to the Absolute. In this sesshin we will work with koans, stilling the mind, and experience the bright clarity that comes forth as each moment Sesshin is a rigorous and, at times, challenging silent meditation retreat that is not recommended for beginners. In order to attend in person, we require that you attend one of our silent weekend retreats or a five-seven day silent retreat at another Zen Center before registering for our longer zen retreats. For…
Spring Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat
With Ed Gensho Welsh
April 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.
May Sesshin – The Light of our Ancestors
With Amy Kisei, Sensei, Patrick Bansho Green and Ed Gensho Welsh
May 12 - 18, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery or Online
Zen is a direct Mind to Mind transmission--a transmission of light. We study with teachers who help us recognize and embody our awakened wisdom and compassion. During this sesshin, we will connect with our roots and draw strength from the stories of those who have come before us. Our ancestors are real people, walking the path of their lives and opening the Dharma truths - just as we aspire to do. Join us for this intimate week of practice. Sesshin is a rigorous and, at times, challenging silent meditation retreat that is not recommended for beginners. In order to attend…
The Work: a weekend Inquiry workshop
With Eduardo Zambrano
May 22 - 25, 2025
Great Vow Zen Monastery
During this Workshop, we will use Byron Katie’s method of inquiry called The Work to investigate our core beliefs and fixed ideas which cause suffering in our world. What ideas to you have about your life and the world that actually are not in service to the development of compassion? We hold many views simply from habit. In this retreat we will be given tools to expand beyond what we believe to be our limitations, and see our world from a place of insight and deeper wisdom. The monastery environment provides an ideal setting in which to deepen the practice of…
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…
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, Sara Shinei Monial 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 16 - 21, 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.…
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…
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…