Soto Zen Buddhist Meditation in Chicago
Ancient Dragon Zen Gate is a community of engaged buddhist practitioners in the tradition of Shunryu Suzuki-roshi. Our Soto Zen meditation practice, called zazen, is cultivated for the benefit of all life and for our great earth. Our practice is a refuge and support for showing up in our lives with the awakened awareness and creative vitality that flow from zen meditation. We are a Branching Stream of San Francisco Zen Center.
We endeavor to create a welcoming practice community in Chicago and online.
COME SIT WITH US!
Everyone is welcome to attend any of our in-person, online, and hybrid regular meditation practice events.
To get acquainted, you are warmly invited to request personal meditation instruction and temple orientation, or drop in for zazen.
Explore the Path: MEDITATION INSTRUCTION & TEMPLE ORIENTATION
Onsite – To register: email info@ancientdragon.org
Sunday July 13, 2025 @ 8:30 am – 9:00 am
Monday July 21, 2025 @ 6:15 pm – 6:45 pm
Featured Events
MONTHLY BODHISATTVA PRECEPT REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY (onsite only)
Wednesday July 9, 2025 @ 7:15pm-8:30pm
After zazen (meditation), we recite the bodhisattva precepts connect to our vows to live a life that benefit all be-ing.
NEW OFFERING: SCHOLAR’S CORNER TALK (Hybrid) – Sunday July 13, 2025 @ 10:15 am
Paul Copp (University of Chicago) “Basic Buddhist Concepts: Impermanence, Emptiness, and Conditioned Arising from a Zen Perspective”.
From time to time, the speaker after zazen for our Sunday morning program will be a Buddhist scholar on topics foundational to zen practice.
DAYLONG SESSHIN (Hybrid)) – Sunday JULY 27, 2025 @ 7:30am-5:30pm
All are welcome to enjoy a day of silent sitting led by Douglas Floyd, Lay Entrusted Dharma Teacher
For information and registration : CLICK HERE
Latest Dharma Podcast Episode
The 2nd Paramita,“Ethical Conduct”
In a polarized fragmented world, can we act ethically with all beings? Especially those with disagree with? This dharma talk explores how we may apply the 2nd Paramita of “Ethical […]
Featured News
2025 SUMMER MONTHLY SUPPORTER DRIVE
Please become a Monthly Supporter during our 3-month campaign. Your monthly support maintains the flowering of our practice together in Chicago and in the cloud!
SANGHA STRENGTH: NOT ONE, NOT TWO
Dragons welcomed Rev. Lisa Hoffman (in the photo center) from San Francisco. We enjoyed a morning of zazen and exploration of the jewel of sangha during the retreat taught by Lisa. During her visit Lisa also received a new okesa (buddha’s robe) from Sensei Colleen Crivello on behalf of a group of zen sewing teachers. Colleen and her husband, Rev. Kotaku Crivello, were visiting from Zen Center of Pittsburgh, where Rev. Kotaku is the abbot of Deep Spring Temple. Our sangha connections are wide and deep.
TAIGEN DAN LEIGHTON’S TEACHING & UPCOMING DOGEN SEMINARS
Gyobutsu Igi (part 1)
Saturday August 23, 2025 @ 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Gyobutsu Igi (part 2)
Saturday October 4, 2025 @ 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Two online seminars will be taught by Ancient Dragon Zen Gate emeritus guiding teacher Taigen Dan Leighton. The two-part seminars will explore Dogen’s Shobogenzo essay, “The Awesome Presence of Active Buddhas” (Gyobutsu Igi) which addresses the dynamic of Buddha’s actual practice. Taigen Dan Leighton, continues to offer his dharma widely.
See the Taigen’s Seminars page for an updated list of seminars offered at Ancient Dragon and elsewhere. Click here to visit Taigen’s website, containing a rich library of his offerings.
ANCIENT DRAGON PUBLIC HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS
Respiratory virus season is upon us!! If you think you are ill or have a recent exposure, please attend online. In the zendo, we will be opening windows, so please dress in layers and follow CDC protocol in this infographic (click to enlarge). Also, please see our public health recommendations here compiled by sangha member Chris Cadman as part of our Sangha Care Committee.
