“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 ...
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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.
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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.
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Our Teachers:
Rev. Daijaku Kinst & Rev. Shinshu Roberts
Ocean Gate YouTube Channel Link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKOFG-_XCenToA559VDXqKQ
Link to our most recent lecture on YouTube: Jukai-E 2022 at Zenshuji Temple https://youtu.be/0tSbJq8M5qI
Questions: info@oceangatezen.org
Ocean Gate Zen Center is streaming all activities live on Zoom
SATURDAY MORNING "COME AS YOU ARE" SCHEDULE:
Saturday Zazen/Meditation (9 a.m.) & Dharma Talk (9:30 a.m.)
Everyone is Welcome to participate.OCEAN GATE ZOOM ZENDO LINK
Questions can be asked via email at oceangatezen.org
Saturday Schedule
- December 11th Regular Saturday Morning Program
- December 18th Regular Saturday Morning Program & Bodhisattva Ceremony
- Friday Dec 24th optional AM zazen
The Zendo will be closed for the December holidays 12/25 -12/31
- Schedule for 12/31 New Year's Eve Ofuda ceremony at Zendo:
7 p.m. begin evening
7:10 – 7:35 p.m. Zazen
7:35 – Prayers for Fire Ceremony
7:45 – Fire Ceremony
8:30 – Read Poems & Tea
9:00 – Zazen and Bell Ringing [Begin Bells at 9:10 p.m.]
9:30 – End Zazen or end 5 minutes after bells end
9:30 – Closing Ceremony & Ofuda Offering
Streaming Saturday Morning Lecture
Weekly Zazen-Meditation, Everyone is Welcome.
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
9:30 a.m. Dharma Talk, followed by Questions & Answers
In person zazen instruction is currently cancelled because of the corona virus. Recommended Videos:
Meditation Instruction by Sojun Weitsman Roshi (Rev. Daijaku and Shinshu's teacher) of the Berkeley Zen Center on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBmYlr35mYU
Link to: Soto Zen Meditation Instructions from the Japanese Sotoshu
We will be offering Saturday Morning's schedule as online zoom zazen and lecture (same time). Please access the zendo activities through the zoom link Ocean Gate Zoom Zendo Link
Ocean Gate is closed to the public on Saturday. Morning zazen is open, but vaccinations are required, masks are worn, and proof of vaccination may be requested. We are currently following the Santa Cruz Heath Dept. directive that vaccinated persons wear masks.
Sangha Pictures
Teacher Rakusu Receiving Ceremony
June 26th Jukai Ceremony
Opening the Eye of Sojun Roshi's Ihai
Burning last year's ofuda and well-being/passage cards.
Streamed on Zoom for Sangha members.
Pre-covid 2020 Jikoji Weekend Sesshin
Rev. Jaku stringing cranes
Pre-covid: Folding Cranes for 2020
Tsuru For Solidarity Action
Pre-covid Holiday Party 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.
Upcoming Events Calendar
There is currently no events calendar for 2021, see above on home page for the next few month's activities. Contact Us
info@oceangatezen.org 920 41st Avenue, Suite F (enter from parking lot) Santa Cruz, CA 95062
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