Northwest Zen Sangha

Residential Practice: Residential practice is an opportunity for members to live in the Center, part-time or full-time. Dharma Rain Zen Center residents commit to becoming an intimate part of the residential community as well as deepening their relationship to the larger DRZC Sangha. They commit to spending more time and energy doing formal practice within the context of Sangha than is usually possible outside of residency. During their term of residency they seek out and accept guidance from the Center teachers, Soto Zen teachings, and the dharma inherent in the Center's training matrix and traditions. As much as personal commitments allow, residents attend daily zazen, communal meals, Wednesday evening and Sunday morning programs, work practice days, monthly Fusatsu and in-town retreats. Four shared and/or private rooms are available to live in community with our abbot and four ordained priests.

Children's Programs Dharma Garden: Dharma School - During the school year from Sept-May, twice a month children's classes are held during Sunday service. Through stories and songs, art projects and games, discussions and ritual, children in our Dharma School are offered opportunities to deepen their understanding of themselves, the teachings of Buddhism and the practice of the Dharma in their daily lives. Dharma Camp - Mandala on the Mountain is a week long summer camp, for kids aged nine through eighteen who are interested in Buddhism. Dharma Rain Zen Center has been running these camps since 1994. Campers come from a variety of traditions and have different levels of familiarity with Buddhism. The mountain retreat encourages mindfulness while exploring nature and enjoying traditional summer camp activities. Dharma Camp has grown to include campers from across the United States. This year we hosted 57 kids with a staff of 27 volunteers. Pre-School Program: Frog Song Montessori Pre-School will begin classes in early Sept 2015. Ten students age 3-5 years old are enrolled in the half day program.

Adult Programs: Retreats & Workshops - Approximately every six weeks, the Center holds a retreat. These range from one-day retreats on Saturdays (Zazenkai) and weekend retreats to a week-long intensive Sesshin, a term which means "examine the heart." Retreats include meditation and services, tea, class, work periods, and some also include an opportunity for discussion and questions. Periods of focused practice are an ancient and vital part of Buddhist, and especially Zen, tradition. At retreat we have an opportunity to focus on deep meditation and inner reflection. The longer retreats include the opportunity for private interviews with teachers, lectures and special ceremonies, as well as formal meals (oryoki) and longer periods of meditation. Dharma Studies and Seminary - Advanced classes are intended to create and maintain a shared body of knowledge and understanding about Dharma and Soto Zen within the Sangha. Classes may be taken for formal seminary credit, or for personal enrichment.