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
Onsite – To register: email info@ancientdragon.org
Sunday, February 8, 2026 @ 8:30am – 9:00am
Monday, February 16, 2026 @ 6:15pm – 6:45pm
2025 YEAR-END FUNDRAISING APPEAL EXTENDED!
THE TIME TO DONATE IS NOW!!
A THIRD generous donor has increased our matching fund to $22,500!
NOW, you have until January 31,2026 to have your gift will be doubled.
Please give today to support a stable, robust future for Ancient Dragon.
Featured Events
ONE-DAY SITTING and DHARMA TALK LED BY HOGETSU LAURIE BELZER – Sunday, January 25, 2026 @ 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Hybrid)
Yes, the temple is open during the cold snap! All are welcome to join in our Lincoln Square Zendo or online in our Online Zendo for our regular Sunday program with zazen at 9:30am followed by the Dharma Talk (no registration required). Registration for the One-day sitting led by our guiding teacher, Hogetsu Laurie Belzer is now closed.
SUNDAY MORNING ZAZEN AND DHARMA TALK BY NYOZAN ERIC SHUTT – Sunday, February 1, 2026 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM (Hybrid)
Sunday morning program, including zazen, kinhin, and a dharma talk led by Nyozan Eric Shutt. Work period and tea to follow. All are welcome to join in our Lincoln Square Zendo or online in our Online Zendo.
Latest Dharma Podcast Episode
Appropriate Response
ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Taigen Dan Leighton ADZG 1268
Featured News
SAVE THE DATE: 2026 8-WEEK SPRING PRACTICE COMMITMENT PERIOD
Buddhist Practices for Caring for All Beings led by Rev. Hōgetsu Laurie Belzer
Sunday, March 22 – Sunday, May 17
Plan ahead to join your dragon dharma companions to commit to deepening your zen practice during this nonresidential, hybrid ango.
Registration information will be posted soon.
GUIDING TEACHER HOGETSU INTERVIEWED FOR PATHS OF PRACTICE
Our guiding teacher Hogetsu recently did an interview with Vincent Moore for his podcast, “Paths of Practice.” Click here to watch a video of the interview, and click here to check out other episodes of Vincent’s excellent podcast.
NEW!! EXPANDED WEEKLY MEDITATION AND RECOVERY (M & R) MEETINGS
TUESDAY INDEPENDENT RECOVERY GROUP Online, Contact Jason S. for info
FRIDAY M & R Onsite, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Contact Paula L. for info
Are you a person recovering from addictive substances or behavioral patterns? We have two meetings weekly to support each other and share how our buddhist practice assists our recovery.
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
Flu and respiratory virus 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).
