Jikoji is a rustic mountain retreat established in 1983 by Kobun Chino Roshi and a group of students. A Soto Zen Buddhist temple associated with Hokoji in Taos, NM and Jokoji in Japan, Jikoji exists as a unique opportunity to practice in a rural setting. At 2350 ft. elevation in the Santa Cruz mountains, the grounds comprise 13.26 acres. The property has many unique features, such as a large pond (or small lake), places to pitch a tent (in addition to hostel type accommodations), and miles of hiking trails in the surrounding 1800 acres of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.
Jikoji is maintained by a group of resident caretakers and non-resident sangha members. The facilities include an institutional kitchen, community space (living/dining room, bath rooms), two dormitory rooms, two private rooms, and a Zendo that comfortably seats 20+ people. All or part of the facilities are available for group as well as personal retreats at reasonable rates. Retreatants are welcome to participate in the Jikoji meditation schedule and other activities.
The tradition is based on the Soto Zen linage of our founder, Kobun Roshi;
In addition to the availability of retreat accommodations, Jikoji offers regularly scheduled meditation practice and discussions which are open to the public. There are four Sesshins between October and April. There is also an on-going Sunday morning program that features two periods of meditation, service, and a discussion led by one of the Sangha’s senior students or visiting teachers.
Jikoji, Compassion Light Temple, is a teaching and retreat center available for retreats, seminars, and classes to the community of Zen practitioners, as well as individuals and groups of diverse backgrounds.
Jikoji offers an ongoing daily mediation practice as taught by our primary teacher Kobun Chino Otogawa Roshi. Additionally, senior students of Kobun are available to provide instruction in the practice of Zen meditation.
The Jikoji community functions from the basic assumption that there are no membership requirements, that directors and officers govern in order to serve the affairs of the organization, and that consensus, mutual respect and compassion are the guiding principles of decision making.
Address: 12100 Skyline Blvd, Los Gatos CA 95033
Phone: (408) 741-9562
EMail: info@jikoji.org
Website: www.jikoji.org
