Ocean Gate Zen Center - Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos | “Those who are Buddhas are always in samadhi, the state like the ocean.” ~ Dogen Zenji

Welcome from our Teachers

Ocean Gate Zen Center is a Soto Zen temple dedicated to supporting zazen (meditation) as well as wholesome compassionate activity for self and others. Located at Pleasure Point we offer a neighborhood Zen Center to Santa Cruz’s South Side, Capitola, Soquel and Aptos. Everyone is welcome ...

Links to YouTube Lectures

Links to YouTube lectures

For Beginners

If you are new to Zen practice and are curious about how we enter into and sustain our Buddhist practice, this page should help you by offering information about events and training opportunities helpful to your exploration of Zen Buddhism.

Come As You Are Zen

This is an informal Saturday morning program focused on investigating Buddhist teachings for creating ease and skillful response in our daily life. The program begins with meditation followed by a Dharma talk by one of our teachers: Rev. Daijaku Kinst or Rev. Shinshu Roberts. Talks are for both the beginner as well as the advanced practitioner. Everyone is welcome.

Our Teachers:

Rev. Daijaku Kinst & Rev. Shinshu Roberts

Ocean Gate YouTube Channel Link:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKOFG-_XCenToA559VDXqKQ

View our latest Dharma talk on You Tube:

Tokudo (Novice Priest) Ordination https://youtu.be/hpkakd5AWkk

OCEAN GATE ZOOM ZENDO LINK

Questions? Email us: info@oceangatezen.org

Upcoming Schedule

Teachers, Rev Daijaku Kinst and Rev. Shinshu Roberts, will be on sabbatical in August

Aug 13th Regular Saturday Program, student speaker Mark
Aug 20th Regular Saturday Program, student speaker Ryuki
Aug 27th Regular Saturday Program, student speaker Steve

SATURDAY MORNING "COME AS YOU ARE" SCHEDULE:

9:00AM Zazen/Meditation 9:35AM Dharma Talk

Everyone is Welcome to participate.

If you are new to OGZC and have questions, please email: info@oceangatezen.org

Weekly Zazen (Meditation) Schedule

The Zendo is open!

Everyone is Welcome!

We require that a person attending be fully vaccinated (including booster) and as of June 2022, masks are again required.

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday Meditation 6:45 a.m. - 7:25 a.m. followed by Chanting Service

Friday Meditation 9 a.m. - 9:40 a.m. followed by Chanting Service

Saturday Morning Schedule:

9 a.m. Meditation

9:35 a.m. Dharma Talk, followed by Questions & Answers

In-person Zazen Instruction is currently cancelled, but here are recommended Videos:

Zazen Instruction by Sojun Roshi Mel Weitsman of the Berkeley Zen Center (Revs Daijaku and Shinshu's teacher) on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBmYlr35mYU

Link to: Soto Zen Meditation Instructions from the Japanese Sotoshu

Opening the Eye of Sojun Roshi's Ihai (streamed on Zoom)

Teacher Rakusu Receiving Ceremony

Sangha Pictures

Buddha's Birthday Ceremony 2022

Ofuda Burning Ceremony for 2021

June 26th Jukai Ceremony

2020 Jikoji Weekend Sesshin

Your Support

Ocean Gate Zen Center is available to all and there is no charge for the daily program, meditation or lectures. The Zen Center relies solely on donations and financial support is always welcome. Ocean Gate Zen Center is a 501(c)3 tax exempt non-profit religious organization. Your donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.