Soto Zen Buddhist Meditation in Chicago
Ancient Dragon Zen Gate is a community of practitioners committed to Soto Zen Buddhist meditation practice in Chicago. Please join us on the path of beneficial compassion and wisdom inspired by Shakyamuni Buddha.
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 others.
Under the guidance of Dharma Teacher Taigen Dan Leighton, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate evolved from a small meditation group that began meeting once weekly in 2003 and now, we offer many meditation and Zen practice opportunities.
On Sunday mornings, we welcome brand new visitors to our temple for orientation and to learn meditation.
We are located at 1922 W. Irving Park Road in Chicago, Illinois. You are welcome to join us for weekly meditation.
ANCIENT DRAGON ZEN GATE TEMPORARILY CLOSED
As a measure to protect the health of its Sangha members and to avoid contributing to the spread of the coronavirus, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate will be closed until it is determined that is safe to resume conducting in-person. No programs will be conducted at Ancient Dragon during this time. We will provide a notice on this website as soon as we determine a date for resumption of activities at the temple. Please check back here for updates.
As Ancient Dragon Zen Gate activates as an online sangha for an undetermined amount of time, we will be providing selections of podcasts to all on a weekly basis to provide dharma steadily. These links can be found below in the Archival Talks section, as well as on the Archival Talks page. As well, we have arranged live streaming of Dharma talks during the closure. Please refer to our calendar for scheduled events and services.
While Ancient Dragon is closed, Taigen Dan Leighton will be available for dokusan by telephone. Please send requests for dokusan to our info@ancientdragon.org mailbox. Practice leaders Eishin Nancy Easton, Nyozan Eric Shutt, Hogetsu Laurie Belzer, Yoki Shudo Paula Lazarz, Gyoshin Laurel Ross, and Douglas Floyd also are available for practice interviews and can be reached through info@ancientdragon.org. Finally, Sangha member Sara Lytle is available to offer support to Sangha members who are experiencing stress and anxiety related to the coronavirus pandemic. You may contact her directly at sslytle@gmail.com.
ARCHIVAL TALKS
- Brook Ziporyn 5/19/18 – Buddha-nature, Space and Future in the Mahaparanirvana Sutra
- Tova Green 9/22/19 – Wise Hope
- Taigen Dan Leighton 11/24/19 – Bodhisattva Thanksgiving Practice: Gratitude for Difficult Times, Facing Grief and Action Together
Featured News
BEGINNER’S MIND ZAZEN & DISCUSSION – Thursday, April 9, 2020 @ 7:15 PM – 9:00 PM
Our weekly Thursday evening book discussion group is back up and running in our online zendo! Zazen starts at 7:15 PM followed by a discussion of a Suzuki Roshi text. Click the link above for more details.
SPRING 2020 PRACTICE COMMITMENT PERIOD 
Because of the risk from coronavirus, Ancient Dragon is cancelling its Spring Practice Commitment Period. We will determine over the next months whether it will be practicable to hold a Practice Commitment Period later this year. Please check this website for updates.
NEW ARTICLE BY TAIGEN DAN LEIGHTON – Bob Dylan’s Ongoing Critique of Social Injustice and Masters of War
Taigen’s article “Bob Dylan’s Ongoing Critique of Social Injustice and Masters of War” is a much expanded version of a talk he presented at a Bob Dylan Symposium in Tulsa last year.
MOVIES AND TV TO WATCH WHILE STAYING AT HOME
Our guiding teacher, Taigen Dan Leighton, has started a list of movies and TV shows to watch while staying in place. Feel free to add to the list by sending recommendations to info@ancientdragon.org.
Click the button above to enter our online zendo via ZOOM. 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
Introduction to the Flower Ornament Sutra
ADZG 790 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Rev. Taigen Dan Leighton
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.
Visit us on Facebook
For our very latest news, please like our page on Facebook.
Visit Us on Instagram
To see our latest images, please follow us on Instagram.
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.
Dharma Transmission
On Saturday August 3rd, 2019, Ancient Dragon Dharma Teacher Taigen Shizan Leighton completed Dharma transmission ceremonies for his heirs, Nyozan Eric Shutt and Eishin Nancy Easton, and authorized them as Dharma teachers. Shosan Victoria Austin from San Francisco Zen Center served as Preceptor for the ceremony. As part of the ceremony, Eishin and Nyozan received new brown okesas and ceremonial implements.
Click the button above to enter our online zendo via ZOOM. 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.
ANCIENT DRAGON ZEN GATE TEMPORARILY CLOSED
As a measure to protect the health of its Sangha members and to avoid contributing to the spread of the coronavirus, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate will be closed until it is determined that is safe to resume conducting in-person. No programs will be conducted at Ancient Dragon during this time. We will provide a notice on this website as soon as we determine a date for resumption of activities at the temple. Please check back here for updates.
As Ancient Dragon Zen Gate activates as an online sangha for an undetermined amount of time, we will be providing selections of podcasts to all on a weekly basis to provide dharma steadily. These links can be found below in the Archival Talks section, as well as on the Archival Talks page. As well, we have arranged live streaming of Dharma talks during the closure. Please refer to our calendar for scheduled events and services.
While Ancient Dragon is closed, Taigen Dan Leighton will be available for dokusan by telephone. Please send requests for dokusan to our info@ancientdragon.org mailbox. Practice leaders Eishin Nancy Easton, Nyozan Eric Shutt, Hogetsu Laurie Belzer, Yoki Shudo Paula Lazarz, Gyoshin Laurel Ross, and Douglas Floyd also are available for practice interviews and can be reached through info@ancientdragon.org. Finally, Sangha member Sara Lytle is available to offer support to Sangha members who are experiencing stress and anxiety related to the coronavirus pandemic. You may contact her directly at sslytle@gmail.com.
Featured News
BEGINNER’S MIND ZAZEN & DISCUSSION – Thursday, April 9, 2020 @ 7:15 PM – 9:00 PM
Our weekly Thursday evening book discussion group is back up and running in our online zendo! Zazen starts at 7:15 PM followed by a discussion of a Suzuki Roshi text. Click the link above for more details.
SPRING 2020 PRACTICE COMMITMENT PERIOD Because of the risk from coronavirus, Ancient Dragon is cancelling its Spring Practice Commitment Period. We will determine over the next months whether it will be practicable to hold a Practice Commitment Period later this year. Please check this website for updates.
NEW ARTICLE BY TAIGEN DAN LEIGHTON – Bob Dylan’s Ongoing Critique of Social Injustice and Masters of War
Taigen’s article “Bob Dylan’s Ongoing Critique of Social Injustice and Masters of War” is a much expanded version of a talk he presented at a Bob Dylan Symposium in Tulsa last year.
MOVIES AND TV TO WATCH WHILE STAYING AT HOME
Our guiding teacher, Taigen Dan Leighton, has started a list of movies and TV shows to watch while staying in place. Feel free to add to the list by sending recommendations to info@ancientdragon.org.
ARCHIVAL TALKS
- Brook Ziporyn 5/19/18 – Buddha-nature, Space and Future in the Mahaparanirvana Sutra
- Tova Green 9/22/19 – Wise Hope
- Taigen Dan Leighton 11/24/19 – Bodhisattva Thanksgiving Practice: Gratitude for Difficult Times, Facing Grief and Action Together
Latest Dharma Podcast Episodes
Introduction to the Flower Ornament Sutra
ADZG 790 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Rev. Taigen Dan Leighton
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.
Visit us on Facebook
For our very latest news, please like our page on Facebook.
Visit Us on Instagram
To see our latest images, please follow us on Instagram.
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.
Dharma Transmission
On Saturday August 3rd, 2019, Ancient Dragon Dharma Teacher Taigen Shizan Leighton completed Dharma transmission ceremonies for his heirs, Nyozan Eric Shutt and Eishin Nancy Easton, and authorized them as Dharma teachers. Shosan Victoria Austin from San Francisco Zen Center served as Preceptor for the ceremony. As part of the ceremony, Eishin and Nyozan received new brown okesas and ceremonial implements.
