Soto Zen Buddhist Meditation in Chicago
Ancient Dragon Zen Gate is a community of practitioners committed to Soto Zen Buddhist meditation practice in Chicago. Please join us on the path of beneficial compassion and wisdom inspired by Shakyamuni Buddha.
Our guiding teacher is Taigen Dan Leighton, author, scholar, and Dharma teacher in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki. We invite you to read his teachings or listen to audio recordings of Dharma talks by Taigen and others.
Under the guidance of Dharma Teacher Taigen Dan Leighton, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate evolved from a small meditation group that began meeting once weekly in 2003 and now, we offer many meditation and Zen practice opportunities.
On Sunday mornings, we welcome brand new visitors to visit our online zendo to learn meditation before the regularly scheduled period of meditation. Please email info@ancientdragon.org in order to arrange for meditation instruction.
ANCIENT DRAGON ZEN GATE TEMPORARILY CLOSED
As a measure to protect the health of its Sangha members and to avoid contributing to the spread of the coronavirus, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate will be closed until it is determined that is safe to resume conducting in-person. No programs will be conducted at Ancient Dragon during this time. We will provide a notice on this website as soon as we determine a date for resumption of activities at the temple. Please check back here for updates.
While Ancient Dragon is closed, Taigen Dan Leighton will be available for dokusan by telephone. Please send requests for dokusan to our info@ancientdragon.org mailbox. Practice leaders Eishin Nancy Easton, Nyozan Eric Shutt, Hogetsu Laurie Belzer, Yoki Shudo Paula Lazarz, Gyoshin Laurel Ross, and Douglas Floyd also are available for practice interviews and can be reached through info@ancientdragon.org. Finally, Sangha member Sara Lytle is available to offer support to Sangha members who are experiencing stress and anxiety related to the coronavirus pandemic. You may contact her directly at sslytle@gmail.com.
ARCHIVAL TALKS
- Eishin Nancy Easton (05/2/2018) – Maitreya: Active Patience
- Ben Connelly (5/1/2017) – Vasubandhu and Practical Yogacara
- Taigen Dan Leighton (12/8/2019) – Enlightenment Day and Ongoing Care For the Dharma of Suchness
Featured News
“A PANDEMIC DHARMA STORY” – NEW STORY BY GYOSHIN LAUREL ROSS
Click here to read a new story about dharma during the pandemic by one of our practice leaders, Gyoshin Laurel Ross.
MONDAY NIGHT SERVICES ARE NOW ONLINE!
Beginning June 1, we will resume our Monday night services in our online Zendo. Our first Monday night online service will begin with Zazen at 7:15 PM, followed by a dharma talk at 7:45 PM by Taigen Dan Leighton.
MEDITATION IN MOURNING FOR BLACK LIVES TAKEN AND IMPRISONED – Friday, June 5, 2020 @ 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Beginning this Friday, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate will be holding a weekly meditation in mourning for Black lives taken and imprisoned. The service will take place every Friday at 8 AM in Ancient Dragon’s Online Zendo. The service will be led by Dylan Toropov, who asks for your help in selecting material for the discussion portion of the service. Please email info@ancientdragon.org
CHICAGO RELIEF OPTIONS
Take a look at the Chicago Relief Options page for a list of Chicago organizations in need of support, as well as resources to inform ways you can support our community.
NEW ARTICLE BY TAIGEN DAN LEIGHTON – Bob Dylan’s Ongoing Critique of Social Injustice and Masters of War
Taigen’s article “Bob Dylan’s Ongoing Critique of Social Injustice and Masters of War” is a much expanded version of a talk he presented at a Bob Dylan Symposium in Tulsa last year.
MOVIES AND TV TO WATCH WHILE STAYING AT HOME
Our guiding teacher, Taigen Dan Leighton, has started a list of movies and TV shows to watch while staying in place. Feel free to add to the list by sending recommendations to info@ancientdragon.org.
Click the button above to enter our online zendo via ZOOM. Please refer to our calendar for a complete schedule of services and events in our online zendo. As well, please refer to our Online Zendo page for instructions on accessing the room.
Latest Dharma Podcast Episodes
Zazen and Resilience
ADZG 800 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Rev. Taigen Dan Leighton
Featured Podcasts: Buddhism in Kamakura Japan
Click here to learn more about some recent dharma talks given by our guiding teacher, Taigen Dan Leighton, about key buddhist figures in Kamakura-era Japan.
Online Video Dharma Talks
As our sangha moves online while our physical zendo is closed, we have been able to record many of our dharma talks on video. Below is our latest video dharma talk; others can be found on our Online Video Dharma Talks page.
Getting the Goose out of the Bottle – Douglas Floyd, April 19, 2020
Visit us on Facebook
For our very latest news, please like our page on Facebook.
Visit Us on Instagram
To see our latest images, please follow us on Instagram.
Donate when shopping at AmazonSmile!
Every little bit helps! Amazon will contribute a small percentage of your purchase when choose us, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate NFP, when you shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/41-2219998.
Click the button above to enter our online zendo via ZOOM. Please refer to our calendar for a complete schedule of services and events in our online zendo. As well, please refer to our Online Zendo page for instructions on accessing the room.
ANCIENT DRAGON ZEN GATE TEMPORARILY CLOSED
As a measure to protect the health of its Sangha members and to avoid contributing to the spread of the coronavirus, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate will be closed until it is determined that is safe to resume conducting in-person. No programs will be conducted at Ancient Dragon during this time. We will provide a notice on this website as soon as we determine a date for resumption of activities at the temple. Please check back here for updates.
While Ancient Dragon is closed, Taigen Dan Leighton will be available for dokusan by telephone. Please send requests for dokusan to our info@ancientdragon.org mailbox. Practice leaders Eishin Nancy Easton, Nyozan Eric Shutt, Hogetsu Laurie Belzer, Yoki Shudo Paula Lazarz, Gyoshin Laurel Ross, and Douglas Floyd also are available for practice interviews and can be reached through info@ancientdragon.org. Finally, Sangha member Sara Lytle is available to offer support to Sangha members who are experiencing stress and anxiety related to the coronavirus pandemic. You may contact her directly at sslytle@gmail.com.
Featured News
“A PANDEMIC DHARMA STORY” – NEW STORY BY GYOSHIN LAUREL ROSS
Click here to read a new story about dharma during the pandemic by one of our practice leaders, Gyoshin Laurel Ross.
DRAGON ZOOM HAPPY HOUR – Friday, May 29, 2020 @ 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Join us (online) for a relaxed end-of-the-week tea and treats. Make yourself a cup of tea, arrange a treat (cookies are good), and log into our online zendo.
ZAZEN AND DHARMA TALK BY ALEX PELTZ – Sunday, May 31, 2020 @ 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Dharma talk by Alex Peltz, UChicago Divinity School intern for Ancient Dragon. Sunday Morning Public program in our online Zendo via ZOOM.
MONDAY NIGHT SERVICES ARE NOW ONLINE!
Beginning June 1, we will resume our Monday night services in our online Zendo. Our first Monday night online service will begin with Zazen at 7:15 PM, followed by a dharma talk at 7:45 PM by Taigen Dan Leighton.
CHICAGO RELIEF OPTIONS
Take a look at the Chicago Relief Options page for a list of Chicago organizations in need of support, as well as resources to inform ways you can support our community.
NEW ARTICLE BY TAIGEN DAN LEIGHTON – Bob Dylan’s Ongoing Critique of Social Injustice and Masters of War
Taigen’s article “Bob Dylan’s Ongoing Critique of Social Injustice and Masters of War” is a much expanded version of a talk he presented at a Bob Dylan Symposium in Tulsa last year.
MOVIES AND TV TO WATCH WHILE STAYING AT HOME
Our guiding teacher, Taigen Dan Leighton, has started a list of movies and TV shows to watch while staying in place. Feel free to add to the list by sending recommendations to info@ancientdragon.org.
ARCHIVAL TALKS
- Eishin Nancy Easton (05/2/2018) – Maitreya: Active Patience
- Ben Connelly (5/1/2017) – Vasubandhu and Practical Yogacara
- Taigen Dan Leighton (12/8/2019) – Enlightenment Day and Ongoing Care For the Dharma of Suchness
Latest Dharma Podcast Episodes
Introduction to the Flower Ornament Sutra
ADZG 790 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Rev. Taigen Dan Leighton
Featured Podcasts: Buddhism in Kamakura Japan
Click here to learn more about some recent dharma talks given by our guiding teacher, Taigen Dan Leighton, about key buddhist figures in Kamakura-era Japan.
Online Video Dharma Talks
As our sangha moves online while our physical zendo is closed, we have been able to record many of our dharma talks on video. Below is our latest video dharma talk; others can be found on our Online Video Dharma Talks page.
Getting the Goose out of the Bottle – Douglas Floyd, April 19, 2020
Visit us on Facebook
For our very latest news, please like our page on Facebook.
Visit Us on Instagram
To see our latest images, please follow us on Instagram.
Donate when shopping at AmazonSmile!
Every little bit helps! Amazon will contribute a small percentage of your purchase when choose us, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate NFP, when you shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/41-2219998.
