Soto Zen Buddhist Meditation in Chicago
Ancient Dragon Zen Gate is a community of practitioners committed to Soto Zen Buddhist meditation practice in Chicago, and now online to many distant practitioners. 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 many others. Sunday mornings we welcome brand new visitors to attend our Lincoln Square Zendo in person, or in our Online Zendo via Zoom to learn meditation before our regular program. Click our “New to Zen?” button above for more information.
LINCOLN SQUARE ZENDO OPEN FOR IN-PERSON DHARMA EVENTS
Starting Sunday, November 6, 2022, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate began holding in-person dharma events, and recurring weekly Sunday morning and Monday evening programs at our new Lincoln Square Zendo, located at 2255 W Giddings Street – 1st Floor (backdoor entry) in Chicago. Please enter the building through the backdoor. Instructions for getting to the Lincoln Square zendo and current COVID Policy can be viewed by clicking here. Proof of vaccination will continue to be required at in-person dharma events, and sangha members will also be able to attend remotely via Zoom. Please see our Calendar, Sangha Events , and Meditation Events sections of this site for news about upcoming events.
Guiding Dharma Teacher Taigen Dan Leighton will be available for dokusan by in person, by telephone or zoom, as will Dharma Teachers Nyozan Eric Shutt, Eishin Nancy Easton, Hogetsu Laurie Belzer, and Visiting Dharma Teacher Zengyu Paul Discoe. Please send requests for dokusan to our info@ancientdragon.org mailbox. Lay Teacher Douglas Floyd and Practice Leaders Gyoshin Laurel Ross, and Shudo Paula Lazarz also are available for practice interviews and can be reached through info@ancientdragon.org.
Finally, our Sangha Care Committee provides and facilitates support for Sangha members and their loved ones. We view caring for our community as an opportunity of mutual benefit, a chance to live out our Bodhisattva precepts and to realize our interconnectedness as beings. Challenging times during which the Sangha Care Committee could be of support include times of illness, grief, or hardship. Examples of support include our Dharma Buddies Program, support during times of illness or hospitalization, and mobilization of sangha resources and mutual aid. Please contact sanghacare@ancientdragon.org to be in touch.
Click the Online Zendo button above to enter our online zendo via ZOOM. Please bow to the camera when entering or becoming visible on Zoom, but then do not face the screen directly during zazen.
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
In the Shade of a Beautiful Flower
ADZG 1099 ADZG Monday Night Dharma Talk by Ko Carol Laursen
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.
Featured Events
ZAZEN AND SANGHA MEETING – Sunday, June 11, 2023 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Sangha Meeting instead of our normal dharma talk to discuss an offer for a new permanent space. Both zazen and meeting will be in-person at Lincoln Square Zendo and in our online Zendo via ZOOM.
BOARD MEETING – Sunday, June 11, 2023 @ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Ancient Dragon Zen Gate Board Meeting. All are welcome to attend in our Online Zendo via ZOOM.
NAGARJUNA READING GROUP – Thursday, June 15, 2023 @ 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
This reading group is open to all. Monthly meetings in the online zendo begin with thirty minutes of zazen, followed by reading aloud together and discussing Nāgarjuna’s The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way. Participants are not expected to purchase this text and are welcome to drop in for any reading group gathering. There is no registration or fee to attend, but donations are welcome. Email info@ancientdragon.org with questions.
JUKAI LAY ORDINATION CEREMONY – Sunday, June 18, 2023 @ 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Jukai receiving precepts ceremony/lay ordination for three sangha members, performed by Taigen Dan Leighton and Nyozan Eric Shutt. Live at our Lincoln Square zendo and hybrid online. Everyone welcome.
Featured News
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS AVAILABLE
Highlights from the January 15 and March 5 board meetings are now available for viewing on our Board Meeting Highlights page.
ADZG SANGHA WEEK AT TASSAJARA – 3 PLACES AVAILABLE
Our Dragon sangha has been offered a precious opportunity to gather for practice at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, a San Francisco Zen Center training temple and dharma flower of American Zen. Tassajara is located in a remote valley inland from Big Sur, California. We will join other “Suzuki Roshi sanghas practicing in the intimacy of Tassajara valley, growing together in the Dharma, and preparing our beloved monastery for a robust 2024.” Space is limited and filling quickly! For more information, please see our Special Events page or check out this flyer. For questions or to reserve your spot, please contact Hōgetsu in-person or through info@ancientdragon.org.
SPRING PRACTICE COMMITMENT PERIOD
Ancient Dragon Zen Gate will be hosting a Spring Practice Commitment Period from April 2 – May 25. Practice Commitment Periods are an opportunity to integrate and develop sustainable practice in our everyday lives in intentional community practice. All are welcome to join in-person or online, or in some combination. This year’s period will be hosted by our guiding teacher Taigen Dan Leighton, and we will be studying selected chapters of the Vimalakirti Sutra. To register, please speak to Taigen or email info@ancientdragon.org. Deadline for registration is Monday, March 27. There is a $125 suggested donation, including $75 suggested donations for each sesshin day in the practice period. Sliding scale available. See our Practice Commitment Period page for more detailed information.
Check out our Sangha News page to look at older news items previously featured here.
ARCHIVAL TALKS
Alan Senauke (8/4/2020) – Appropriate Response: Zen Practice with the World
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.
Click the Online Zendo button above to enter our online zendo via ZOOM. Please bow to the camera when entering or becoming visible on Zoom, but then do not face the screen directly during zazen.
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.
LINCOLN SQUARE ZENDO OPEN FOR IN-PERSON DHARMA EVENTS
Starting Sunday, November 6, 2022, Ancient Dragon Zen Gate began holding in-person dharma events, and recurring weekly Sunday morning and Monday evening programs at our new Lincoln Square Zendo, located at 2255 W Giddings Street – 1st Floor (backdoor entry) in Chicago. Please enter the building through the backdoor. Instructions for getting to the Lincoln Square zendo and current COVID Policy can be viewed by clicking here. Proof of vaccination will continue to be required at in-person dharma events, and sangha members will also be able to attend remotely via Zoom. Please see our Calendar, Sangha Events , and Meditation Events sections of this site for news about upcoming events.
Guiding Dharma Teacher Taigen Dan Leighton will be available for dokusan by in person, by telephone or zoom, as will Dharma Teachers Nyozan Eric Shutt, Eishin Nancy Easton, Hogetsu Laurie Belzer, and Visiting Dharma Teacher Zengyu Paul Discoe. Please send requests for dokusan to our info@ancientdragon.org mailbox. Lay Teacher Douglas Floyd and Practice Leaders Gyoshin Laurel Ross, and Shudo Paula Lazarz also are available for practice interviews and can be reached through info@ancientdragon.org.
Finally, our Sangha Care Committee provides and facilitates support for Sangha members and their loved ones. We view caring for our community as an opportunity of mutual benefit, a chance to live out our Bodhisattva precepts and to realize our interconnectedness as beings. Challenging times during which the Sangha Care Committee could be of support include times of illness, grief, or hardship. Examples of support include our Dharma Buddies Program, support during times of illness or hospitalization, and mobilization of sangha resources and mutual aid. Please contact sanghacare@ancientdragon.org to be in touch.
Latest Dharma Podcast Episodes
In the Shade of a Beautiful Flower
ADZG 1099 ADZG Monday Night Dharma Talk by Ko Carol Laursen
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.
Featured Events
ZAZEN AND SANGHA MEETING – Sunday, June 11, 2023 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Sangha Meeting instead of our normal dharma talk to discuss an offer for a new permanent space. Both zazen and meeting will be in-person at Lincoln Square Zendo and in our online Zendo via ZOOM.
BOARD MEETING – Sunday, June 11, 2023 @ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Ancient Dragon Zen Gate Board Meeting. All are welcome to attend in our Online Zendo via ZOOM.
NAGARJUNA READING GROUP – Thursday, June 15, 2023 @ 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
This reading group is open to all. Monthly meetings in the online zendo begin with thirty minutes of zazen, followed by reading aloud together and discussing Nāgarjuna’s The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way. Participants are not expected to purchase this text and are welcome to drop in for any reading group gathering. There is no registration or fee to attend, but donations are welcome. Email info@ancientdragon.org with questions.
JUKAI LAY ORDINATION CEREMONY – Sunday, June 18, 2023 @ 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Jukai receiving precepts ceremony/lay ordination for three sangha members, performed by Taigen Dan Leighton and Nyozan Eric Shutt. Live at our Lincoln Square zendo and hybrid online. Everyone welcome.
Featured News
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS AVAILABLE
Highlights from the January 15 and March 5 board meetings are now available for viewing on our Board Meeting Highlights page.
ADZG SANGHA WEEK AT TASSAJARA – 3 PLACES AVAILABLE
Our Dragon sangha has been offered a precious opportunity to gather for practice at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, a San Francisco Zen Center training temple and dharma flower of American Zen. Tassajara is located in a remote valley inland from Big Sur, California. We will join other “Suzuki Roshi sanghas practicing in the intimacy of Tassajara valley, growing together in the Dharma, and preparing our beloved monastery for a robust 2024.” Space is limited and filling quickly! For more information, please see our Special Events page or check out this flyer. For questions or to reserve your spot, please contact Hōgetsu in-person or through info@ancientdragon.org.
SPRING PRACTICE COMMITMENT PERIOD
Ancient Dragon Zen Gate will be hosting a Spring Practice Commitment Period from April 2 – May 25. Practice Commitment Periods are an opportunity to integrate and develop sustainable practice in our everyday lives in intentional community practice. All are welcome to join in-person or online, or in some combination. This year’s period will be hosted by our guiding teacher Taigen Dan Leighton, and we will be studying selected chapters of the Vimalakirti Sutra. To register, please speak to Taigen or email info@ancientdragon.org. Deadline for registration is Monday, March 27. There is a $125 suggested donation, including $75 suggested donations for each sesshin day in the practice period. Sliding scale available. See our Practice Commitment Period page for more detailed information.
Check out our Sangha News page to look at older news items previously featured here.
ARCHIVAL TALKS
Alan Senauke (8/4/2020) – Appropriate Response: Zen Practice with the World
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.
