Trillium House

Portland Residential Zen Practice Community

Trillium House is a way for people to live in a spiritual community, to deepen their commitment to Zen Buddhist practice, and to engage in service with the wider ZCO sangha while maintaining work and other responsibilities outside of the sangha. Residents engage in zazen and liturgy, house and temple caretaking, service to the sangha, and building community in a supportive practice container. You will also have more opportunities to develop a deeper relationship with ZCO teachers, priests and sangha leaders.

Benefits of living in community include developing meaningful friendships, learning to interact with others in more openhearted ways, and encouraging one another to apply the tools of practice to embody the teachings ever more fully.

In order to do this, each person must do one’s best to be inclusive, participate in the life of the household, and do their part to maintain harmony. 

 We seek to create a warm, supportive environment together, for fellow residents, guests of the house, the ZCO Sangha, and the neighborhood.

More details are provided in our application, guidelines, and community agreements packet. 

Please email house manager Kosho at kosho@zendust.org if you are interested in learning more or would like to apply.

Trillium is a Zen Buddhist Residential Training Program 

It is different from simply living with like-minded people. We investigate together: How can we make everything in our lives part of our spiritual practice and an opportunity for greater understanding? We look directly into the deeper questions of our life’s purpose and how to live with others in harmony. We seek to create a warm, supportive environment together, for fellow residents, guests of the house, the ZCO sangha and the neighborhood.

Practice and Service Commitments

  • Weekly evening program at the temple 

  • Sanzen or interview with one of ZCO’s teachers or Dharma holders

  • Zazenkai and large community events

  • House meetings with our guiding teacher Kodo Conover

  • Practice support 

  • House caretaking

  • Temple caretaking

  • Preparing communal meals and grocery shopping

All are invited to join us for morning meditation:

Monday through Friday 6am – 7am on Zoom (Zoom link)

Fridays 6am – 7am in person at Heart of Wisdom (Zoom link).