San Francisco Zen Center (SFZC), aka “Zen Center”, is a network of affiliated Soto Zen practice and retreat centers in the San Francisco Bay area, comprising City Center or Beginner’s Mind Temple, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center and Green Gulch Farm. The sangha was incorporated by Shunryu Suzuki-roshi and a group of his American students in 1962.
Today SFZC is the largest Soto organization in the West. The center received significant media coverage concerning the 1984 resignation of then abbot Zentatsu Richard Baker, who was ousted after it was alleged that he had been having an affair with the wife of a prominent Zen Center member. In the wake of Baker’s resignation, SFZC transitioned to a democratically-elected leadership model.
In addition to its main center located at 300 Page Street, the SFZC also owns and operates Green Gulch Farm Zen Center and Tassajara Zen Mountain Center.
Beginner’s Mind Temple (Hosshin-ji), also known as City Center, was established in 1969 by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi as a training center in the Soto Zen tradition open to the general public.
Offerings include daily meditation and service, semi-weekly dharma talks, classes, workshops, retreats, residential student programs, and the opportunity to discuss one’s spiritual practice with an experienced Zen practice leader.
The center is also composed by a library, a Zen Center Bookstore and Conference Rooms and Services.
Contact :
300 Page Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Tel : (415) 863.3136
Website : http://www.sfzc.org