Calendar

Great Vow Zen Monastery Zendo

February & March 2026 Online Zendo Schedule: 

Wednesday – Saturday (Connect via Zoom link below)

5:00 – 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.

YouTube link for Sunday Program
Zoom link for all events

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
Upstairs from Bauman Chiropractic
202 E. McLoughlin Blvd. Vancouver, WA 98663

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.
 
The Work of Byron Katie  Learn More Here

In Person at Heart of Wisdom:
1st & 3rd Monday each Month: 7 PM – 8:30 PM
1st Friday of the month: 1 PM – 2 PM
Online: 2nd and 4th Monday each month: 7 PM – 8:30 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.
 
Dharma Jews Learn More Here
4th Saturday each month: 7 PM to 8:30 PM PT.
For more information: send an email.
In Person at Heart of Wisdom and Online.

Meditation Retreats, Sesshin, Workshops

Workshops and sesshin are currently offered in-person and online format unless otherwise noted.
Please do not attend in person if you feel sick or you live with someone who feels ill.
Open DatesRetreat Cabin Application

February 2026

2/26 - 4/2Five Buddhist Precepts for Ethical Living – Online
2/27 - 3/1Beginner’s Mind Weekend Meditation Retreat
2/28Death’s Tiny Tea House – Being With Dying

March 2026

3/1 - 4/516 Bodhisattva Precepts Online Class Series
3/14Practice in Activity Workshop
3/14 - 3/22March Sesshin – Deep Listening
3/28Service to the Temple
3/29ZCO Board Meeting March 2026

April 2026

4/2 - 4/5The Resilient Heart
4/3 - 4/4Doing The Work of Byron Katie
4/7 - 5/31Spring Practice Period: Awakening with the Earth
4/11Investigating Zen Practice: A One-Day Workshop
4/13 - 4/19April Sesshin
4/25Spring Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat
4/30 - 5/3Love & Spaciousness: A Loving Kindness Weekend Retreat

May 2026

5/2Service to the Temple
5/9New Member Tea
5/11 - 5/17May Sesshin – The Light of our Ancestors
5/23Inner Critic Workshop
5/28 - 5/30Holding Power Wisely: Ethics, Boundaries, and Care in Buddhist Teaching Relationships

June 2026

6/4 - 6/7Swords into Blossoms: The Alchemy of Stopping and Seeing
6/13Investigating Zen Practice: A One-Day Workshop
6/20Solstice Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat
6/23 - 6/27Five-Day Silent Chan Retreat led by Guo Gu

July 2026

7/7 - 8/16Summer Residency Program 2026
7/16 - 7/18City Refuge Retreat
7/20 - 7/26July Sesshin

August 2026

8/2 - 8/9Heart of the Mountain Sesshin: A Backpacking Sesshin at the Bells Mountain
8/10 - 8/16Grasses, Trees, and the Great Earth Sesshin
8/15Summer Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat
8/29 - 9/12Walking Mountain Pilgrimage Sesshin with Bells Mountain

September 2026

9/8 - 9/13Jizo Sesshin
9/12Investigating Zen Practice: A One-Day Workshop
9/19Equinox Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat
9/26 - 10/3Soul of the Mountain Sesshin: A Backpacking Sesshin at Bells Mountain

October 2026

10/24Autumn Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat

November 2026

11/5 - 11/7City Refuge Retreat

December 2026

12/6 - 12/13December Sesshin – Rohatsu

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…

Five Buddhist Precepts for Ethical Living – Online

With Laura Jomon Martin

February 26 - April 2, 2026
Online
These 90 minute 5 Precepts classes will happen every Thursday 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.

Beginner’s Mind Weekend Meditation Retreat

With Darah Shonin Ashton and Onshin Landry

February 27 - March 1, 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 oryoki 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…

Death’s Tiny Tea House – Being With Dying

With Kodo Conover

February 28, 2026
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 for an open conversation about death and related topics. Discussion at this Saturday afternoon Tea House will feature…

16 Bodhisattva Precepts Online Class Series

With Larry Fuho Trussell

March 1 - April 5, 2026
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.

Practice in Activity Workshop

With Kodo Conover and Linda Chōon Frischmeyer

March 14, 2026
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
We spend many, many hours in activity, whether working in employment, as a volunteer, or in our homes. Work environments and the people we work with can be challenging. All work experiences are opportunities for Zen practice. Join us for a deeper dive into right action, right speech and right livelihood, and bringing spiritual practice into our daily activities; we also practice with the transitions between silence and work activity. Suggested donation includes a vegetarian/vegan lunch. No one turned away for lack of funds. In-person only.

March Sesshin – Deep Listening

With Jogen Salzberg, Sensei, Hogen Bays, Roshi and Anusha Enryu Fernando

March 14 - 22, 2026
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.

Service to the Temple

March 28, 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.

ZCO Board Meeting March 2026

March 29, 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.

Doing The Work of Byron Katie

With Linda Chōon Frischmeyer

April 3 - 4, 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…

Spring Practice Period: Awakening with the Earth

April 7 - May 31, 2026
Great Vow Zen Monastery
  Spring at Great Vow Zen Monastery is beautiful. The fruit tree blossoms open towards the heavens, the forest is abuzz with new life as birds, insects  and tree frogs are wake up from their winter slumber.  Early spring flowers emerge in  abundant color, offering fresh perspectives and encouragements. With the natural world springing to life with such exubrance and force, residency at the monastery inclines towards the out of doors. We dedicate more of our daily practice to the care and maintenance of our garden and grounds. This includes maintaining our trails and caring for native trees in our…

Investigating Zen Practice: A One-Day Workshop

With Darah Shonin Ashton, Ed Gensho Welsh and Kosho Ault

April 11, 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.…

April Sesshin

With Larry Fuho Trussell and Laura Jomon Martin

April 13 - 19, 2026
Great Vow Zen Monastery
Our meditation practice can be one of relaxed openness and vivid presence, with wisdom into our nature naturally revealing. This is the practice of serene-illumination, a form of meditation where calm-abiding (shamatha) and insight (vipassana) are practiced as one.   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 more information about what to expect when attending…

Spring Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat

With Larry Fuho Trussell

April 25, 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.

Service to the Temple

May 2, 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.

New Member Tea

May 9, 2026
Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
Calling New Members~ The ZCO membership committee joyfully invites you to join us at our New Member Tea! New member tea is open to ZCO members who joined in the 2025/2026 calendar year. Come connect, make new friends, tour the temple, 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 brunch.  

May Sesshin – The Light of our Ancestors

With Amy Kisei, Sensei, Patrick Bansho Green and Darah Shonin Ashton

May 11 - 17, 2026
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…

Investigating Zen Practice: A One-Day Workshop

With Darah Shonin Ashton, Ed Gensho Welsh and Kosho Ault

June 13, 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.…

Solstice Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat

With Ed Gensho Welsh

June 20, 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.

Summer Residency Program 2026

July 7 - August 16, 2026
Great Vow Zen Monastery
The Summer Program at Great Vow Zen Monastery is an opportunity to plunge into Zen practice with the support of community and teachers, and to taste the benefits of calming the mind and opening the heart. Our Summer Program is a special part of our on-going residential program at the monastery. It is designed to give you a genuine immersion in Zen practice, through the practices of meditation, mindful eating. ritual/liturgy, movement practices (yoga/qi gong), and temple work.

City Refuge Retreat

With Kodo Conover

July 16 - 18, 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.

July Sesshin

With Jogen Salzberg, Sensei, Patrick Bansho Green and Myoyu Haley Voekel

July 20 - 26, 2026
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.

Heart of the Mountain Sesshin: A Backpacking Sesshin at the Bells Mountain

With Sara Shinei Monial and Danney Soten Lynch

August 2 - 9, 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.

Grasses, Trees, and the Great Earth Sesshin

With Amy Kisei, Sensei and Myoyu Haley Voekel

August 10 - 16, 2026
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…

Summer Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat

With Darah Shonin Ashton

August 15, 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.

Walking Mountain Pilgrimage Sesshin with Bells Mountain

With Sara Shinei Monial and Danney Soten Lynch

August 29 - September 12, 2026
Pacific Northwest (exact location TBD)
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.

Jizo Sesshin

With Jan Chozen Bays, Roshi and Laura Jomon Martin

September 8 - 13, 2026
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.…

Investigating Zen Practice: A One-Day Workshop

With Darah Shonin Ashton, Ed Gensho Welsh and Kosho Ault

September 12, 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.…

Equinox Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat

With Jogen Salzberg, Sensei

September 19, 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.

Soul of the Mountain Sesshin: A Backpacking Sesshin at Bells Mountain

With Sara Shinei Monial and Danney Soten 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.

Autumn Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat

With Laura Jomon 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 Larry Fuho 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.

December Sesshin – Rohatsu

With Hogen Bays, Roshi, Larry Fuho Trussell and Darah Shonin 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…