Soto Zen Buddhist Meditation in Chicago
Ancient Dragon Zen Gate is a community of practitioners committed to Soto Zen Buddhist meditation practice in Chicago, and now online to many distant practitioners. 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 many others. Sunday mornings we welcome brand new visitors to attend our online zendo to learn meditation before our regular program. Please email info@ancientdragon.org
IN-PERSON EVENTS POSTPONED; ONLINE ZEN PROGRAMS CONTINUE
Beginning Sunday, December 26 through at least mid-February, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate will take a break from in-person activities at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in recognition of the increased risk of COVID infections caused by holiday travel and gatherings, the increase in COVID cases in Chicago, and the appearance of the omicron variant in Chicago. During the break we will review our evolving COVID protocols and policies and evaluate whether revisions are required. Please see our calendar, the Sangha Events section, and the Meditation Events sections of this site for news about upcoming events.
While we are still mostly an online sangha, Guiding Dharma Teacher Taigen Dan Leighton will be available for dokusan by telephone or zoom, as will Dharma Teachers Nyozan Eric Shutt, Eishin Nancy Easton, and Visiting Dharma Teacher Zengyu Paul Discoe. Please send requests for dokusan to our info@ancientdragon.org mailbox. Lay Teacher Douglas Floyd and Practice Leaders Hogetsu Laurie Belzer, Gyoshin Laurel Ross, and Shudo Paula Lazarz also are available for practice interviews and can be reached through info@ancientdragon.org.
Finally, our Sangha Care Committee provides and facilitates support for Sangha members and their loved ones. We view caring for our community as an opportunity of mutual benefit, a chance to live out our Bodhisattva precepts and to realize our interconnectedness as beings. Challenging times during which the Sangha Care Committee could be of support include times of illness, grief, or hardship. Examples of support include our Dharma Buddies Program, support during times of illness or hospitalization, and mobilization of sangha resources and mutual aid. Please contact sanghacare@ancientdragon.org to be in touch.
Click the Online Zendo button above to enter our online zendo via ZOOM. Please bow to the camera when entering or becoming visible on Zoom, but then do not face the screen directly during zazen.
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
Soto Zen Family Style
ADZG 960 ADZG Monday Night Dharma Talk by Hogetsu Laurie Belzer
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.
Turn around the light to shine within, then just return.
Featured Events
ZAZEN AND DHARMA TALK BY HOZAN ALAN SENAUKE: THE DHARMA OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. – Sunday, January 16, 2022 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Dharma talk by Hozan Alan Senauke, Abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center, and a highly experienced Buddhist teacher. social activist, and musician, on the dharma of Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday Morning Public Program in our online Zendo via ZOOM.
LGBTQ+ DHARMA GROUP – Friday, January 21, 2022 @ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
The LGBTQ+ Dharma Group meets quarterly in our online zendo. The program begins with 30 minutes of group zazen followed by reading and informal discussion of a short text relevant to the concerns of the LGBTQ+ community and their intersection with Buddhist practice. For more information, email info@ancientdragon.org.
FLOWER ORNAMENT SUTRA READING GROUP – Friday, February 4, 2022 @ 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
This reading group, open to all, will be reading aloud together the classic expansive and psychedelic Mahayana Buddhist text, Avatamsaka Sutra (Flower Ornament Sutra). Participants are not expected to purchase this text and are welcome to drop in for any reading group gathering. Participants will also be invited to sit for optional seated meditation at each gathering. There is no registration or fee to attend, but donations are welcome. Email info@ancientdragon.org with questions.
Featured News
IN PERSON EVENTS POSTPONED
Beginning Sunday, December 26 through at least mid-February, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate will take a break from in-person activities at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in recognition of the increased risk of COVID infections caused by holiday travel and gatherings, the increase in COVID cases in Chicago, and the appearance of the omicron variant in Chicago. During the break we will review our evolving COVID protocols and policies and evaluate whether revisions are required. Please continue to check our website for updates. Ancient Dragon will continue to hold events in the Online Zendo during the break, and we look forward to seeing you there.
RECENT BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS AVAILABLE
Highlights from our recent board meeting on December 12 are now available to read here. You can also check out past highlights on our Board Meeting Highlights page.
2021 YEAR-END CAMPAIGN
Click here to read our 2021 Year-End letter, sent annually to our sangha. Included in the letter are instructions for making a gift or increasing an existing donation if you are a current supporter. Our donation page can be found by clicking here.
Check out our Sangha News page to look at older news items previously featured here.
ARCHIVAL TALKS
Sangha Calendar
Monday Morning Online Zazen with Douglas Floyd
Zen Meditation and Dharma Talk by Alan Senauke: Martin Luther King and Beloved Community
Tuesday Morning Online Zazen with David Wray
Meditation and Recovery Online
Wednesday Morning Online Zazen with Gerrie Griffin
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 Online Zendo button above to enter our online zendo via ZOOM. Please bow to the camera when entering or becoming visible on Zoom, but then do not face the screen directly during zazen.
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.
IN-PERSON EVENTS POSTPONED; ONLINE ZEN PROGRAMS CONTINUE
Beginning Sunday, December 26 through at least mid-February, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate will take a break from in-person activities at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in recognition of the increased risk of COVID infections caused by holiday travel and gatherings, the increase in COVID cases in Chicago, and the appearance of the omicron variant in Chicago. During the break we will review our evolving COVID protocols and policies and evaluate whether revisions are required. Please see our calendar, the Sangha Events section, and the Meditation Events sections of this site for news about upcoming events.
While we are still mostly an online sangha, Guiding Dharma Teacher Taigen Dan Leighton will be available for dokusan by telephone or zoom, as will Dharma Teachers Nyozan Eric Shutt, Eishin Nancy Easton, and Visiting Dharma Teacher Zengyu Paul Discoe. Please send requests for dokusan to our info@ancientdragon.org mailbox. Lay Teacher Douglas Floyd and Practice Leaders Hogetsu Laurie Belzer, Gyoshin Laurel Ross, and Shudo Paula Lazarz also are available for practice interviews and can be reached through info@ancientdragon.org.
Finally, our Sangha Care Committee provides and facilitates support for Sangha members and their loved ones. We view caring for our community as an opportunity of mutual benefit, a chance to live out our Bodhisattva precepts and to realize our interconnectedness as beings. Challenging times during which the Sangha Care Committee could be of support include times of illness, grief, or hardship. Examples of support include our Dharma Buddies Program, support during times of illness or hospitalization, and mobilization of sangha resources and mutual aid. Please contact sanghacare@ancientdragon.org to be in touch.
Latest Dharma Podcast Episodes
Home Altars and Buddha Statues
ADZG 952 ADZG Monday Night Dharma Talk by Gerrie Griffin
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.
Featured Events
ZAZEN AND DHARMA TALK BY HOZAN ALAN SENAUKE: THE DHARMA OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. – Sunday, January 16, 2022 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Dharma talk by Hozan Alan Senauke, Abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center, and a highly experienced Buddhist teacher. social activist, and musician, on the dharma of Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday Morning Public Program in our online Zendo via ZOOM.
LGBTQ+ DHARMA GROUP – Friday, January 21, 2022 @ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
The LGBTQ+ Dharma Group meets quarterly in our online zendo. The program begins with 30 minutes of group zazen followed by reading and informal discussion of a short text relevant to the concerns of the LGBTQ+ community and their intersection with Buddhist practice. For more information, email info@ancientdragon.org.
FLOWER ORNAMENT SUTRA READING GROUP – Friday, February 4, 2022 @ 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
This reading group, open to all, will be reading aloud together the classic expansive and psychedelic Mahayana Buddhist text, Avatamsaka Sutra (Flower Ornament Sutra). Participants are not expected to purchase this text and are welcome to drop in for any reading group gathering. Participants will also be invited to sit for optional seated meditation at each gathering. There is no registration or fee to attend, but donations are welcome. Email info@ancientdragon.org with questions.
Featured News
IN PERSON EVENTS POSTPONED
Beginning Sunday, December 26 through at least mid-February, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate will take a break from in-person activities at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in recognition of the increased risk of COVID infections caused by holiday travel and gatherings, the increase in COVID cases in Chicago, and the appearance of the omicron variant in Chicago. During the break we will review our evolving COVID protocols and policies and evaluate whether revisions are required. Please continue to check our website for updates. Ancient Dragon will continue to hold events in the Online Zendo during the break, and we look forward to seeing you there.
RECENT BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS AVAILABLE
Highlights from our recent board meeting on December 12 are now available to read here. You can also check out past highlights on our Board Meeting Highlights page.
2021 YEAR-END CAMPAIGN
Click here to read our 2021 Year-End letter, sent annually to our sangha. Included in the letter are instructions for making a gift or increasing an existing donation if you are a current supporter. Our donation page can be found by clicking here.
Check out our Sangha News page to look at older news items previously featured here.
Sangha Calendar
Monday Morning Online Zazen with Douglas Floyd
Zen Meditation and Dharma Talk by Alan Senauke: Martin Luther King and Beloved Community
Tuesday Morning Online Zazen with David Wray
Meditation and Recovery Online
Wednesday Morning Online Zazen with Gerrie Griffin
ARCHIVAL TALKS
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.
