Soto Zen Buddhist Meditation in Chicago
Ancient Dragon Zen Gate is a community of zen buddhist practitioners in the American Soto Zen tradition of Shunryu Suzuki-roshi. Our sangha is a Branching Stream of San Francisco Zen Center. Our zen meditation practice, zazen (just sitting meditation), is cultivated for the benefit of all life and for our great earth. Our collective practice is offered as a refuge and support for showing up in our lives with the awakened awareness, wise compassion, and creative vitality that flow from zen meditation.
We endeavor to create a welcoming practice community in Chicago and online.
COME SIT WITH US!
Everyone is welcome to attend any of our onsite, online, and hybrid regular meditation practice events.
To get acquainted, you are warmly invited to request personal meditation instruction and temple orientation, or if you wish, just drop in for zazen.
Explore the Path: MEDITATION INSTRUCTION & TEMPLE ORIENTATION
Featured Events
SUNDAY MORNING ZAZEN AND DHARMA TALK BY SHUDO PAULA LAZARZ – Sunday, November 23, 2025 @ 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM (Hybrid)
Sunday morning program consisting of zazen and a dharma talk by Shudo Paula Lazarz, held hybrid in our Lincoln Square Zendo and in our online zendo. All are welcome to attend!
PRIEST ORDINATION: reuben KALLER – Sunday, November 23, 2025 @ 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM (Hybrid)
All are welcome to join the ceremony and celebration where our sangha member, reuben Kaller, is ordained as a priest. We will host a hybrid ceremony in our Lincoln Square Zendo and our online zendo, followed by an in-person reception. Please join this auspicious occasion!
FIVE-DAY ROHATSU SESSHIN – Wednesday, December 3 – Sunday, December 7, 2025 (Hybrid)
All are welcome to join our annual five-day rohatsu sesshin commemorating the awakening of Shakyamuni Buddha. You can join us for any one, two, three, four, or all five days in-person or online. Partial attendance on any day is also welcome. Oryoki style meals will be served; please let us know when you register of any dietary restrictions that you have. Click here for more information and to register; please register by Sunday, November 30.
Latest Dharma Podcast Episode
Dragon-bodhisattvas Practicing the Precepts
ADZG 1258 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Rev. Hōgetsu Laurie Belzer
Featured News
NEW!! EXPANDED WEEKLY MEDITATION AND RECOVERY (M & R) MEETINGS
Are you a person recovering from addictive substances or behavioral patterns?
The Meditation & Recovery Group allows us to come together weekly to support each other and share how our buddhist practice assists our recovery. Online meetings happen in our online zendo and Onsite happen at our Lincoln Square zendo.
TUESDAY INDEPENDENT RECOVERY GROUP Online, Contact Jason S. for info
WEDNESDAY M & R Online, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Contact Mark S for info
FRIDAY M & R Onsite, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Contact Paula L. for info
TAIGEN’S TEACHINGS
Our guiding teacher emeritus, Taigen, continues to offer his dharma. Click here to see Taigen’s page and his many dharma offerings.
ANCIENT DRAGON PUBLIC HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS
Flue Season is here! If you think you are ill or have a recent exposure to virus, please attend online. Germs spread easily in group settings and when in doubt, join online, In the zendo, we will be opening windows, so please dress in layers and follow CDC protocol in this infographic (click to enlarge).
