Zen Peacemaker Affiliate
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Zen Center of Denver
As an affiliate made up of the Lotus In The Flame Sangha of the Zen Center of Denver, we are committed to manifesting the Three Tenets through acts of service. We meet regularly to support each other, share experiences and consider new opportunities for action.
Tell us a bit about how your group was concieved
Our past activities arose and were often coordinated through the Colorado Peacemakers maha sangha which included members from Zen Center of Denver, Eon Zen in Boulder, CO and Great Mtn Zen Center in Berthoud, CO. We wish to remain part of this maha sangha but also focus locally on the endeavors we have been involved ourselves in.
How many members do you serve? 100
Tell us about one exciting project, program, or other offering you are currently working on.
While the pandemic has put a damper on some of our programs, four of us have conducted weekly services at the Federal Correctional Institute in Englewood, Colorado. We usually have around half a dozen institutionalized men who attend.
How do the Three Tenets inform your social engagement?
Three members of ZCD did a Street Retreat several years ago and found the practice of Way of Council and Three Tenets to be invaluable guidance in almost every encounter with the homeless people we met on the streets of downtown Denver. We hope to encourage others in our sangha to experience similar opportunities ZPI has to offer and to use these tools in all of our social engagement activities.
What is the most meaningful challenge your organization Faces?
We are a growing sangha who opened a beautiful new temple near the University of Denver in 2019. Apart from the obvious continued difficulties surrounding the pandemic, promoting social engagement in a lay sangha whose members are dedicated yet often busy with their lives “in the marketplace” is the perhaps the biggest challenge.
For more information: wahamaker@gmail.com
Zen Center of Denver -
1856 S. Columbine St. Denver, Colorado 80210