Soto Zen Buddhist Meditation in Chicago
Ancient Dragon Zen Gate is a community of engaged buddhist practitioners committed to Soto Zen meditation practice in the tradition of Shunryu Suzuki-roshi and is a Branching Stream of San Francisco Zen Center. Our meditation practice, zazen, is cultivated for the benefit of all life and our great earth.
We endeavour to create a welcoming practice community in Chicago and online that is a refuge and support for showing up in our lives with the awakened awareness and creative vitality that flow from zen meditation.
COME SIT WITH US!
Everyone is welcome to attend any of our in-person, online, and hybrid regular meditation practice events.
To get acquainted, you are warmly invited to request personal meditation instruction and temple orientation, or drop in for zazen.
Featured Events
SESSHIN PREPARATION DAY – Saturday March 22, 2025 2PM – 4PM
Temple Cleaning begins at 2 pm
Oryoki Training led by Tanto Douglas Floyd begins at 2:30p
Come to the temple to help us prepare for sesshin and the 2025 Spring Practice Commitment Period!
DAYLONG SESSHIN (Hybrid)
Led by Hogetsu Laurie Belzer, ADZG Guiding Teacher – Sunday March 23, 2025 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
This day of zazen begins the Spring Practice Commitment period, our 8 week householder practice period.
Formal participation in the practice period is not required.
Partial participation is available. Questions? See Hogetsu or email info@ancientdragon.org
Details are on our website and registration is closed.
SUNDAY PROGRAM DHARMA TALK (Hybrid) WITH HOGETSU LAURIE BELZER , ADZG GUIDING TEACHER – Sunday March 23, 2025 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
The community is invited to attend online or in-person for 9:30am zazen and 10:15a dharma talk without registration. There will be temple cleaning or tea due to sesshin.
MONDAY EVENING PROGRAM (Hybrid) ZAZEN, SHUSO INVITATION AND TANTO TALK WITH EISHIN – Monday March 24, 2025 7:15 PM
Shuso (Head Student) Invitation Ceremony for the Spring Practice Commitment Period follows zazen and afterwards Tanto Eishin will offer some words of encouragement. All are invited to welcome the shuso!!
Latest Dharma Podcast Episode
Dongshan’s Jewel Mirror Samadhi
ADZG 1225 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Taigen Dan Leighton
Featured News
2025 SPRING PRACTICE COMMITMENT PERIOD
Led by Guiding Teacher, Hogetsu Laurie Belzer
COMPASSION’S WAY: THE DHARMA OF 3 AMERICAN ZEN ANCESTORS
Sunday March 23, 2025 – Sunday May 18, 2025 (Hybrid)
Please register by Monday, March 17, 2025
Join us for 8 weeks of intensive zen practice: Ancient Dragon’s annual householder practice period will dive into the dharma of modern American zen teachers, Joko Beck, Darlene Cohen, and Blanche Hartman. Participants will create practice schedules that work with their life circumstances, yet enhance their commitment to zazen, dharma study, and sangha practice. Contact Hogetsu at info@ancientdragon with questions. In person, online, and hybrid participation modes are welcome. . Suggested Donation: $125.00. CLICK to register on our website by 3/17/25.
TAIGEN DAN LEIGHTON’S CONTINUED TEACHING
Our guiding teacher emeritus, Taigen Dan Leighton, continues to offer his dharma widely. See the Taigen’s Seminars page for an updated list of seminars offered at Ancient Dragon and elsewhere. Click here to visit Taigen’s website, containing a rich library of his offerings.
NEW GROUP: ZEN CREATIVES – BIWEEKLY THURSDAYS @ 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (ONLINE)
If you are interested in exploring your creative work, start or solidify a creative practice with others on a similar path, please consider joining this expedition into finding grounded creativity with
Buddhism. Just show up in the Dragon Online Zendo or contact Anastasia McRae at info@ancientdragon.org
ANCIENT DRAGON PUBLIC HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS
Respiratory virus season is upon us!! If you think you are ill or have a recent exposure, please attend online. In the zendo, we will be opening windows, so please dress in layers and follow CDC protocol in this infographic (click to enlarge). Also, please see our public health recommendations here compiled by sangha member Chris Cadman as part of our Sangha Care Committee.
The daughter of our sangha priest, Gyoshin Laurel Ross and many dear dragon friends and sangha live in LA with their safety and well being threatened by the wildfires. The truth of our interbeing is clear and our hearts are with those struggling in Los Angeles at this time. Here are two resources recommended by Gyoshin:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wnjirUcgYcqAOoTQ2me2X1m4Ejyszi6sfdUZR5jKdYQ/edit?usp=sharing
