Soto Zen Buddhist Meditation in Chicago
Ancient Dragon Zen Gate is a community of engaged buddhist practitioners committed to Soto Zen meditation practice in the tradition of Shunryu Suzuki-roshi and is a Branching Stream of San Francisco Zen Center. Our meditation practice, zazen, is cultivated for the benefit of all life and our great earth.
We endeavour to create a welcoming practice community in Chicago and online that is a refuge and support for showing up in our lives with the awakened awareness and creative vitality that flow from zen meditation.
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.
Featured Events
SANGHA BIRD & NATURE WALK AT WEST RIDGE PARK
Saturday April 26, 2025 @ 9 AM
Enjoy a nature walk in the middle of the city with sangha friends guided by Lou, sangha member and amateur birder
All are welcome! Registration and more info: CLICK HERE
SUNDAY MORNING ZAZEN AND DHARMA TALK BY HOGETSU
Sunday April 27, 2025 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Sunday Morning Public Program at Lincoln Square Zendo and in our online Zendo via ZOOM.
FLOWER ORNAMENT SUTRA READING GROUP
Friday May 2, 2025 @ 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
This reading group is open to all. We 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.
ORYOKI BREAKFAST
Saturday May 3, 2025 @ 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Please join Tenzo Mike and Tanto Douglas for an oryoki breakfast in our Lincoln Square Zendo! Please register in advance by Wednesday, April 30. Suggested donation is $10
Latest Dharma Podcast Episode
Blanche Hartman: Willing to be just this one
ADZG 1234 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Hōgetsu Laurie Belzer
Featured News
ADZG PRACTICE PERIOD TEMPLE CLEANING!! 🧹
Saturday May 10, 2025 10 AM – 12 PM (onsite)
Help us tidy up the temple for our 3 day sesshin!
All welcome – no experience necessary : )
THREE DAY SPRING SESSHIN WITH HOGETSU (Hybrid)
Friday, May 16 – Sunday, May 18, 2025
Registration OPEN – signup here
This three-day sesshin marks the conclusion of the ADZG 2025 SPRING PRACTICE COMMITMENT PERIOD.
There will be a Dharma Inquiry Ceremony with our Shuso, Paula Lazarz, on Sunday afternoon May 18th.
Formal participation in the PCP is not required to attend this sesshin.
All are welcome to join for one, two, or all three days of the sitting with partial attendance is possible.
Sesshin participation is hybrid: join us in our Lincoln Square Zendo, in our Online Zendo, or a combo.
Suggested donation is $75/day. Sesshin donations are self-determined and please specify your donation amount when you register.
2025 SPRING PRACTICE COMMITMENT PERIOD
Led by Guiding Teacher, Hogetsu Laurie Belzer
COMPASSION’S WAY: THE DHARMA OF 3 AMERICAN ZEN ANCESTORS
Sunday March 23, 2025 – Sunday May 18, 2025 (Hybrid)
Registration Closed
Our 8 weeks of intensive zen practice is underway! Ancient Dragon’s annual householder practice period is focusing on the dharma of modern American zen teachers, Joko Beck, Darlene Cohen, and Blanche Hartman. Participants are following practice schedules that work with their life circumstances, yet enhance their commitment to zazen, dharma study, and sangha practice.
TAIGEN DAN LEIGHTON’S CONTINUED TEACHING
Our guiding teacher emeritus, 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.
