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, December 14, 2025 @ 8:30 am – 9:00 am
Monday, December 15, 2025 @ 6:15 pm – 6:45 pm
2025 YEAR-END APPEAL
Our 2025 Year End Fundraising Appeal is LIVE!
A generous donor has contributed $15,000 to a matching fund to kick us off.
Any amount you give will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
Please give today to support a stable, robust future for Ancient Dragon.
Featured Events
SUNDAY MORNING ZAZEN AND DHARMA TALK BY REV. SHUDO PAULA LAZARZ – Sunday, December 14, 2025 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM (Hybrid)
“Unpacking the Heart Sutra”
A closer look at this seminal Zen teaching.
Sunday morning program, including zazen and a dharma talk by Rev. Shudo Paula Lazarz, followed by work period and tea. All are welcome to join hybrid in our Lincoln Square Zendo and in our Online Zendo.
2025 NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES
New Year’s Eve: Zazen, Fire, Bells and Noodles
New Year’s Day: Zazen and Sangha Brunch
Ancient Dragon will be hosting two annual New Years events to ring in the new year. First, we will have a New Year’s Eve Relinquishment and Fire Ceremony, consisiting of zazen, a backyard fire, 108 bells counting down to midnight, and noodles afterwards. On New Year’s Day, we will host a potluck brunch, preceded by a period of zazen. Please join us and bring a dish to share!
Latest Dharma Podcast Episode
Bendowa – Embracing Dogen’s Endeavor of the Way
ADZG 1259 ADZG Sunday Morning Dharma Talk by Paula Lazarz The Soto Zen way is rooted in zazen. Dogen Zenji explains how he came to realize the importance of the […]
Featured News
2025 WINTER HOLIDAY BREAK
Wednesday, December 24 – Wednesday December 31
Ancient Dragon Zen Gate will be closed from Wednesday, December 24 – Wednesday December 31 for the holidays, re-opening that evening for our New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day festivities. All of our onsite programming will be cancelled, and please check the website calendar as some of our morning online programming may still be occuring. Please enjoy this restful time off!
NEW!! EXPANDED WEEKLY MEDITATION AND RECOVERY (M & R) MEETINGS
Are you a person recovering from addictive substances or behavioral patterns?
The Meditation & Recovery Group allows us to come together weekly to support each other and share how our buddhist practice assists our recovery. Online meetings happen in our online zendo and Onsite happen at our Lincoln Square zendo.
TUESDAY INDEPENDENT RECOVERY GROUP Online, Contact Jason S. for info
WEDNESDAY M & R Online, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Contact Mark S for info
FRIDAY M & R Onsite, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Contact Paula L. for info
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
Flue 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).
