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.
Explore the Path: MEDITATION INSTRUCTION & TEMPLE ORIENTATION
Onsite – To register: email info@ancientdragon.org
Sunday June 8, 2025 @ 8:30 am – 9:00 am
Monday June 16, 2025 @ 6:15 pm – 6:45 pm
Featured Events
SUNDAY MORNING ZAZEN AND DHARMA TALK BY REV. HOGETSU LAURIE BELZER (Hybrid)
Sunday June 15, 2025 @ 9:30-11:30 am
Join us for zazen (meditation) followed by a dharma talk by our guiding teacher as part of our weekly Sunday Morning program.
MONTHLY BODHISATTVA PRECEPT REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY (Onsite)
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 @ 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Our monthly bodhisattva precept remembrance ceremony, held on the occasion of the full moon each month. This month’s offering will be in-person in our Lincoln Square Zendo – all are welcome to join.
NOT ONE NOT TWO: SANGHA STRENGTH
Half-Day Sitting with Jisho Lisa Hoffman
Saturday June 21, 2025 8:30am-1:00pm (hybrid)
TO REGISTER: CLICK HERE
As part of Pride Month at the Dragon, guest teacher Jisho Lisa Hoffman will lead a relaxed morning sitting and dharma teaching, Brunch and social time will follow the sitting. Lisa co-leads the San Francisco Zen Center Queer Dharma group. All are welcome to attend onsite at the ADZG Temple in Lincoln Square or online in our zendo. Please register by June 16, 2025.
There will be a brief Robe Receiving Ceremony for Lisa on Tuesday Evening June 17,2025 at 6pm (hybrid). All are welcome to join online or onsite.
Latest Dharma Podcast Episode
Practice Period: Continuing Effort Without Desire
ADZG 1241 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Hōgetsu Laurie Belzer
Featured News
CONGRATULATIONS TO SHUSO PAULA LAZARZ AND THE DRAGON SANGHA!
We completed the 11th ADZG Practice Commitment Period and held our first shuso ceremony since 2019! Shuso (head student), Paula Lazarz, answers questions from the assembly onsite and in the cloud during the Dharma Inquiry Ceremony.
Tenzo Mike offers a question from the heart to the shuso as the questions snaked around the cozily-packed zendo and then moved online to conclude with Emeritus Guiding Teacher Taigen’s inquiry. Spring sesshin and practice period participants were joined by the shuso’s invitees and dragon friends to bring forth the dharma in their questioning with the shuso. Each question encouraged the practice of everyone.We ended the day with a garden reception; see our June newsletter for a few more pix!
Deep gratitude to the lively and diligent dragon sangha for your “effort without desires” that supported the shuso, the practice period, and the sesshin. May our community increase well-being and happiness for all communities.
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
Upcoming are two online seminars 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.
