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
REGULAR IN-PERSON EVENTS RESUME IN CHICAGO; ONLINE ZEN PROGRAMS CONTINUE
Starting Sunday Nov. 21st, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate will be meeting in person (with Zoom also available) for Sunday morning and Monday evening zazen and Dharma talks at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W Foster Avenue. Please see our full announcement for more details regarding getting to the church, where to go when you arrive, and the COVID policy for attending. All of our other active Ancient Dragon programs will continue to meet through Zoom in our online zendo. Please see our calendar, the Sangha Events section, and the Meditation Events sections of this site for news about upcoming events. In order to address concerns regarding COVID, participants who attend events in person must comply with Ancient Dragon’s ADZG In-Person Event Policy and with any additional requirements contained in the registration form for the event or communicated by the Sangha leader for the event.
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
Trusting in Zazen
ADZG 946 ADZG Monday Night Dharma Talk by Dylan Toropov
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
FLOWER ORNAMENT SUTRA READING GROUP – Friday, December 3, 2021 @ 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.
ROHATSU ALL-DAY SITTING LED BY DOUGLAS FLOYD – Sunday, December 5, 2021 @ 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
We will gather to sit in silent meditation in our new rented zendo at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Foster Ave. at Paulina, Chicago, and in Zoomspace. Although partial attendance options are available, you are encouraged to join for the entire day. The All-day sitting and morning Dharma talk will be led by Douglas Floyd, ADZG Lay Teacher and Director. Registration required by November 29, 2021 – click the link above to register. Suggested donation is $75.00, or by self-determined sliding scale – please contribute any amount that works for you.
HAIKU NATURE WALK – Saturday, December 18, 2021 @ 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Gyoshin Laurel Ross will lead nature walks to introduce people to writing haiku. All of the walls will be in natural areas and parks on Chicago’s north side. Gyoshin will provide a haiku basic instruction sheet and the location of each meeting place to registered participants. There is no fee for these walks, but contributions to Ancient Dragon are welcomed. Registration is required to limit the group size to 12. Please register by December 16 by emailing Gyoshin at laurelmross@gmail.com.
Featured News
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.
REGULAR IN-PERSON EVENTS TO RESUME AT EBENEZER LUTHERAN CHURCH
Starting Sunday Nov. 21st, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate will be meeting in person (with Zoom also available) for Sunday morning and Monday evening zazen and Dharma talks at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W Foster Avenue. Please see our full announcement for more details regarding getting to the church, where to go when you arrive, and the COVID policy for attending. All of our other events will continue on Zoom, unless noted in the calendar.
LOTUS SUTRA CHAPTER 25 STUDY GROUP LED BY SHUDO PAULA LAZARZ
This study group will meet three times, all on Sundays: November 28, December 12, and December 19. The group is limited to 10 people. We will use the Gene Reeves translation of the Lotus Sutra. The text of Chapter 25 will be provided to those who don’t own the book. Shudo Paula Lazarz will serve as facilitator. Suggested donation is: $50 – sliding scale available upon request. Click here to register.
Check out our Sangha News page to look at older news items previously featured here.
ARCHIVAL TALKS
Sangha Calendar
Flower Ornament Sutra Reading Group
Rohatsu All-Day Sitting Held In-Person and Online led by Douglas Floyd.
Zazen and Dharma Talk by Douglas Floyd
Monday Morning Online Zazen with Douglas Floyd
Zen Meditation and Dharma Talk by Taigen Dan Leighton
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.
REGULAR IN-PERSON EVENTS RESUME IN CHICAGO; ONLINE ZEN PROGRAMS CONTINUE
Starting Sunday Nov. 21st, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate will be meeting in person (with Zoom also available) for Sunday morning and Monday evening zazen and Dharma talks at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W Foster Avenue. Please see our full announcement for more details regarding getting to the church, where to go when you arrive, and the COVID policy for attending. All of our other active Ancient Dragon programs will continue to meet through Zoom in our online zendo. Please see our calendar, the Sangha Events section, and the Meditation Events sections of this site for news about upcoming events. In order to address concerns regarding COVID, participants who attend events in person must comply with Ancient Dragon’s ADZG In-Person Event Policy and with any additional requirements contained in the registration form for the event or communicated by the Sangha leader for the event.
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
The Long Road of Practice
A continuous zazen practice can present many different challenges over a course of months or years. What are some of these challenges and how may we be fully present with them too? ADZG Monday Evening Dharma Talk by Rev. Shudo Paula Lazarz ADZG 942
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
FLOWER ORNAMENT SUTRA READING GROUP – Friday, December 3, 2021 @ 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.
ROHATSU ALL-DAY SITTING LED BY DOUGLAS FLOYD – Sunday, December 5, 2021 @ 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
We will gather to sit in silent meditation in our new rented zendo at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Foster Ave. at Paulina, Chicago, and in Zoomspace. Although partial attendance options are available, you are encouraged to join for the entire day. The All-day sitting and morning Dharma talk will be led by Douglas Floyd, ADZG Lay Teacher and Director. Registration required by November 29, 2021 – click the link above to register. Suggested donation is $75.00, or by self-determined sliding scale – please contribute any amount that works for you.
HAIKU NATURE WALK – Saturday, December 18, 2021 @ 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Gyoshin Laurel Ross will lead nature walks to introduce people to writing haiku. All of the walls will be in natural areas and parks on Chicago’s north side. Gyoshin will provide a haiku basic instruction sheet and the location of each meeting place to registered participants. There is no fee for these walks, but contributions to Ancient Dragon are welcomed. Registration is required to limit the group size to 12. Please register by December 16 by emailing Gyoshin at laurelmross@gmail.com.
Featured News
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.
REGULAR IN-PERSON EVENTS TO RESUME AT EBENEZER LUTHERAN CHURCH
Starting Sunday Nov. 21st, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate will be meeting in person (with Zoom also available) for Sunday morning and Monday evening zazen and Dharma talks at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W Foster Avenue. Please see our full announcement for more details regarding getting to the church, where to go when you arrive, and the COVID policy for attending. All of our other events will continue on Zoom, unless noted in the calendar.
LOTUS SUTRA CHAPTER 25 STUDY GROUP LED BY SHUDO PAULA LAZARZ
This study group will meet three times, all on Sundays: November 28, December 12, and December 19. The group is limited to 10 people. We will use the Gene Reeves translation of the Lotus Sutra. The text of Chapter 25 will be provided to those who don’t own the book. Shudo Paula Lazarz will serve as facilitator. Suggested donation is: $50 – sliding scale available upon request. Click here to register.
Check out our Sangha News page to look at older news items previously featured here.
Sangha Calendar
Flower Ornament Sutra Reading Group
Rohatsu All-Day Sitting Held In-Person and Online led by Douglas Floyd.
Zazen and Dharma Talk by Douglas Floyd
Monday Morning Online Zazen with Douglas Floyd
Zen Meditation and Dharma Talk by Taigen Dan Leighton
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.
