Introducing ZPI Affiliate Group: Zen Center of Los Angeles

To strengthen our planetary network, ZPI will feature newly affiliated groups.  Join HERE to explore some of the offerings of the organizations affiliated with ZPI, and visit here for a full list of these groups.  The following is an introduction to Zen Center of Los Angeles.

What is your organization’s name?

Zen Center of Los Angeles

What is your mission?

The Zen Center’s Mission is to provide the training and resources for realizing the interconnection of all life, to maintain the precepts and to embody the Three Tenets of Not-knowing, Bearing Witness and Taking Action that serves these goals. We provide the teaching, training and transmission of Zen Buddhism.

Where is your organization based?

Los Angeles, CA — Koreatown

How many regular members do you serve?

200

Tell us a bit about how the group was conceived?

We are the Mother Temple of the White Plum Lineage founded by Taizan Maezumi Roshi in 1967.

Tell us about one exciting project, retreat or other offering that you are currently working on?

On Thursday, Head Teacher Roshi Egyoku will offer a Public Face-to-Face, in which she will pose a dharma teaching or question and participants will have a chance to engage with her one on one. This will all be done by Zoom due to the quarantine demands.

How do the Three Tenets inform your social engagement? 

We use the Three Tenets in almost everything we do here. Most particularly in our monthly Day of Reflection Councils. We also have taught Three Tenet Mala bead practice, where students make their own Mala beads in a particular pattern of Mala beads that shows them how to work with the Three Tenets.

What is the most meaningful challenge your organization faces?

Serving the needs of our Sangha and residents remotely through virtual means. We also have the costs incurred from the many old buildings that are part of the Zen Center, on top of monthly expenses and salaries. The leap we are taking forward using new technology has been quite challenging as well.

Your main website URL

www.zcla.org

Your main contact email address for members

programsteward@zcla.org

Learn more about ZCLA by visiting their website, and visit hive.zenpeacemakers.org to find more great work by our global affiliate network.  A complete list of our affiliated groups can be found here.

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Introducing ZPI Affiliate Group: Zen Center of Los Angeles

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