Calendar
Great Vow Zen Monastery Zendo
Online Zendo Schedule:
Wednesday – Saturday (Connect via Zoom link below)
5:30 – 6:50 AM – Zazen
6:50-7:30 AM – Service
Sunday Morning:
6:30-7:50AM – Zazen
Monastery Sunday Public Program, Clatskanie, Oregon
10 AM-12:15 PM – in person and online.
Zoom link for all events
YouTube link for Sunday Program (Our Youtube is currently down as of 2026, In Progress.)
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
Sunday Mornings: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
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: 7 PM to 9:00 PM
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: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
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: 7 PM to 9:00 PM
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.
Zoom link for Wednesday Evening (must be logged into Zoom)
Thursday Evenings: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
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: 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM 
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)
Plum Blossom Zendo and Online
Monday Evenings: 6 PM to 7:30 PM. 
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: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM 
Led by Laura Jomon Martin, Zen Teacher
Plum Blossom Zendo Vancouver United Church of Christ, Bradford Hall, First Floor 1220 NE 68th St. Vancouver, WA 98686
In Person and Online. Zoom link for Tuesday Evening
Friday Evenings: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Led by Zen Teacher Patrick Bansho Green
Guided meditations on metta (loving-kindness).
Online Only. Zoom link for Friday Evening
Affinity Groups and Other Ongoing Events
Morning Meditation with Trillium House Residents Learn More Here
Monday – Friday, 6:00 AM to 7 AM PT
Online. In Person at Heart of Wisdom on Fridays. Zoom link.
LGBTQIA+ Dharma Group Learn More Here
1st Saturday each month: 7 PM to 8:30 PM PT.
For more information and Zoom link: Send an email.
In Person at Heart of Wisdom and Online.
Silver Dragons Online Monthly Gathering Learn More Here
4th Wednesday each month: 1 PM to 2:30 PM PT.
Online Only. Zoom Link.
Dharma Jews Learn More Here
4th Saturday each month: 7 PM to 8:30 PM PT.
4th Saturday each month: 7 PM to 8:30 PM PT.
For more information: send an email.
In Person at Heart of Wisdom.
The Work of Byron Katie Learn More Here
In Person at Heart of Wisdom:
4th Sunday each Month: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Online: 2nd Monday each month: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Zoom link.
Mindful Men’s Meditation for Recovery Learn More Here
1st & 3rd Mondays each month: 7 PM to 9 PM PT.
In Person at Heart of Wisdom.
1st & 3rd Mondays each month: 7 PM to 9 PM PT.
In Person at Heart of Wisdom.
Meditation Retreats, Sesshin, Workshops
Please do not attend in person if you feel sick or you live with someone who feels ill.
September 2026 | |
| 9/26 - 10/3 | Soul of the Mountain Sesshin: A Backpacking Sesshin at Bells Mountain |
October 2026 | |
| 10/8 - 10/18 | October Sesshin – The Ancient Way |
November 2026 | |
| 11/9 - 11/15 | November Sesshin – Gratitude |
December 2026 | |
| 12/6 - 12/13 | December Sesshin – Rohatsu |
September 2026 | |
| 9/17 - 9/20 | Oceans of Compassion: A Retreat In Service To The Earth |
November 2026 | |
| 11/5 - 11/7 | City Refuge Retreat |
| 11/19 - 11/22 | Love & Spaciousness: A Loving Kindness Weekend Retreat |
September 2026 | |
| 9/19 | Investigating Zen Practice: A One-Day Workshop |
October 2026 | |
| 10/3 | Inner Critic Workshop |
November 2026 | |
| 11/13 - 11/14 | Doing The Work of Byron Katie |
October 2026 | |
| 10/6 - 12/20 | Autumn Ango – Fall Residency 2026 |
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…
Equinox Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat
With Jogen Salzberg, Sensei
September 12, 2026
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.
ZCO Board Meeting September 2026
September 13, 2026
Heart of Wisdom (in person) and Online (Zoom)
Board meetings are open and members of the community are invited to attend. Board meetings are a place to find out what’s happening and how ZCO functions. Typical topics include finances, reports on goings on at the monastery and temple, committee reports, and the community's strategic plans.
Oceans of Compassion: A Retreat In Service To The Earth
With Jomon Laura Martin and Kodo Conover
September 17 - 20, 2026
Offsite: Beverly Beach State Park
In conjunction with SOLVE’s Oregon Beach Cleanup activities, you’re invited to join the Zen Community of Oregon for a weekend CAMPING/MEDITATION retreat at BEVERLY BEACH STATE PARK. Take a weekend on the coast to connect with the Sangha. With a relaxed schedule and opportunity for socializing, there will be sitting times, Dharma talks, and practices to take with you into the clean-up.
New Member Tea at Great Vow Zen Monastery
September 19, 2026
Great Vow Zen Monastery
Calling all members! Have you visited your monastery yet? You're invited to tea, a tour and lunch! September is a beautiful time to enjoy the grounds. This Tea is open to all ZCO members and Heart of Wisdom regulars. Come connect, make new friends, tour the grounds, learn about ways to practice and the organization as a whole. It's a great opportunity to ask questions! Please RSVP so we can provide enough tea, coffee, and lunch. 10:15 - arrival 10:30 - Tour 11:00 - Q & A 12:30 - Chanting Service 12:45 Lunch ** optional hike around the grounds after lunch if…
Investigating Zen Practice: A One-Day Workshop
With Shonin Darah Ashton, Gensho Ed Welsh and Kosho Ault
September 19, 2026
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.…
Five Buddhist Precepts for Ethical Living – In Person
With Gensho Ed 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.
Annual Dinner 2026: A Bridge, a Hearth, an Offering – 15 Years of Heart of Wisdom
September 26, 2026
Saint Andrew Catholic Church
Once a year we gather for a dinner celebration to reflect on what we've accomplished and intentions for the year ahead.
Soul of the Mountain Sesshin: A Backpacking Sesshin at Bells Mountain
With Shinei Sara Monial and Soten Danney Lynch
September 26 - October 3, 2026
Bell's Mountain Dharma Center
Previous meditation retreat and backpacking experience is highly recommended. Immerse yourself in the silent wisdom of the forest, mountains, and sky. Allow these wild places to awaken within you and inform how you experience and embody this life.
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.)
Autumn Ango – Fall Residency 2026
October 6 - December 20, 2026
Great Vow Zen Monastery
This Dharma is abundantly present in each human being, but if we do not practice it, it does not manifest itself, and if we do not experience it, it cannot be realized. - Dogen Zenji In communion with our ancestors who set aside time each year for deep retreat, the Monastery offers this Autumn Ango. Ango is a celebration of stillness and quiet contemplation, upheld with the support of community and teachers. Ango can be translated to mean peaceful dwelling. During this practice period our daily schedule takes on a tone of a light retreat which includes more zazen (about…
October Sesshin – The Ancient Way
With Hogen Bays, Roshi, Bansho Patrick Green and Shonin Darah Ashton
October 8 - 18, 2026
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…
Service to the Temple – Heart of Wisdom Portland, OR
October 10, 2026
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
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.
16 Bodhisattva Precepts Class Series- In Person and Online
With Kodo Conover
October 16 - November 20, 2026
Heart of Wisdom (in person) and Online (Zoom)
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.
Autumn Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat
With Jomon Laura Martin
October 24, 2026
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.
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 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…
Doing The Work of Byron Katie
With Linda Chōon Frischmeyer
November 13 - 14, 2026
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
“Of all the diseases, all the ailments that afflict humanity, there is one common denominator: the conditioned mind. Our unconditioned minds are deeply interconnected." --Chakung Jigme Wangdrak "The Work is about internal cause and effect. It is not about the external world.” – Byron Katie Please attend Friday evening and Saturday. This in-person workshop at Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple provides newcomers and those familiar with this form of meditation opportunities for: Learning about The Work of Byron Katie Identifying our beliefs Doing The Work (meditation) Learning to facilitate another; listening and being present Q & A Guest facilitating will…
Love & Spaciousness: A Loving Kindness Weekend Retreat
With Myoyu Haley Voekel and Kosho Ault
November 19 - 22, 2026
Great Vow Zen Monastery
With wonderment on our side, and in relationship with all that is, we recognize the inherent compassion that naturally arises from deep and sustained presence. Held in a container of zen forms and the vibrant dance of a monastery in Autumn, we will explore the nature of being anything at all! During this silent retreat our day will unfold within the practices of zazen, chanting, formal meals and a short work practice. Much of the day will be spent in the meditation hall practicing seated and silent meditation together. Please see our website Attending a Retreat at Great…
ZCO Board Meeting at Great Vow
November 22, 2026
Great Vow Zen Monastery (in person) and Online (Zoom)
Board meetings are open and members of the community are invited to attend. Board meetings are a place to find out what’s happening and how ZCO functions. Typical topics include finances, reports on goings on at the monastery and temple, committee reports, and the community's strategic plans.
December Sesshin – Rohatsu
With Hogen Bays, Roshi, Fuho Larry Trussell and Shonin Darah Ashton
December 6 - 13, 2026
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…
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.