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 visit our online zendo to learn meditation before the regularly scheduled period of meditation. Please email info@ancientdragon.org in order to arrange for meditation instruction.
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.
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
- Ruth Ozeki – Writing Process and Tales of Time Being (11/5/16)
- Ruth Ozeki – Arrays of Self Amid Time Beings (11/6/16)
- Taigen Dan Leighton – The Real Martin Luther King Jr., His Anti-War Work, and His Current Relevance (1/19/20)
Featured News
ADZG COMMUNITY MEETING: FUTURE POSSIBILITIES FOR OUR TEMPLE’S LOCATION AND PRACTICE
Monday, August 10, 2020 @ 7:45 pm – 9:00 pm (begins in online zendo after 7:15p zazen)
Saturday, August 15, 2020 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm (no zazen – just enter the online zendo at 1pm)
Sunday, August 23, 2020 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am (begins in online zendo after 9:30am zazen)
Calling all dragons!
The Board of Directors warmly invites the sangha, the Ancient Dragon Zen Gate community, to participate in an online discussion of the future of our physical temple and practice possibilities. Please feel welcome to attend any or all of the three community meetings. We need community input to chart our course forward in this time of the COVID pandemic.
The strength of our thriving practice community is exemplified by our agile move online, robust practice offerings, and enthusiastic participation in our online zendo. As we respond to the reality of the pandemic, our community meetings will help us practically and creatively explore options for temple location and manifestations of the forms of our dharma practice.
Since March 2020, public health safety concerns have necessitated the close of the temple space and the move of all of our dharma events online, and our physical temple space will remain closed until December 31, 2020 due to the persistence of the pandemic. Now, we face a major decision with significant implications: we need to decide together whether or not to renew the lease on our temple home at 1922 W. Irving Park Road.
Meetings will occur in our online Zendo via ZOOM and instructions on linking are available on the website: https://www.
HYDE PARK ZEN GROUP MENTIONED IN TRICYCLE MAGAZINE ARTICLE
Our affiliated dharma group in Hyde Park was recently featured in an article in Tricycle Magazine, a monthly Buddhist review. The article talks about dharma groups at colleges and universities. Click here to read the article, which features interviews with many ADZG practitioners who are part of our Hyde Park group!
TAIGEN DAN LEIGHTON ON THE CUKE AUDIO PODCAST
A new episode of the Cuke Audio Podcast features ADZG’s guiding teacher, Taigen Dan Leighton, talking with podcast host David Chadwick. David moderates cuke.com, an archival website devoted to Shunryu Sukuki, the founder of the American branch of our lineage. You can access the podcast on Taigen’s Teachings page, as well as directly on the Cuke Audio Podcast website.
ZAZEN AND DHARMA TALK BY STEPHANIE KAZA – Sunday, August 16, 2020 @ 9:30 – 11:00 AM
Stephanie Kaza, author of Green Buddhism, draws on Buddhist ethics to address the world-altering challenges before us, as we face our grief, anxiety, and concern for the future of life on earth. Sunday Morning Public program in our online Zendo via ZOOM.
LGBTQ+ DHARMA GROUP – Friday, August 21, 2020 @ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
The LGBTQ+ dharma group meets monthly in our online Zendo via ZOOM. Format and discussions vary monthly. For more information, please email info@ancientdragon.org.
“THUS HAVE I HEARD FROM KATIGIRI ROSHI” – NEW THOUGHTS BY BRIAN TAYLOR
Click here to read some dharma thoughts by one our sangha members, Brian Taylor.
CHICAGO RELIEF OPTIONS
Take a look at the Chicago Relief Options page for a list of Chicago organizations in need of support, as well as resources to inform ways you can support our community.
Check out our Sangha News page to look at older news items previously featured here.
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
Sangha in the Time of Corona
ADZG 819 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.
Online Video Dharma Talks
As our sangha moves online while our physical zendo is closed, we have been able to record many of our dharma talks on video. Below is our latest video dharma talk; others can be found on our Online Video Dharma Talks page.
Getting the Goose out of the Bottle – Douglas Floyd, April 19, 2020
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.
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.
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
ADZG COMMUNITY MEETING: FUTURE POSSIBILITIES FOR OUR TEMPLE’S LOCATION AND PRACTICE
Monday, August 10, 2020 @ 7:45 pm – 9:00 pm (begins in online zendo after 7:15p zazen)
Saturday, August 15, 2020 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm (no zazen – just enter the online zendo at 1pm)
Sunday, August 23, 2020 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am (begins in online zendo after 9:30am zazen)
Calling all dragons!
The Board of Directors warmly invites the sangha, the Ancient Dragon Zen Gate community, to participate in an online discussion of the future of our physical temple and practice possibilities. Please feel welcome to attend any or all of the three community meetings. We need community input to chart our course forward in this time of the COVID pandemic.
The strength of our thriving practice community is exemplified by our agile move online, robust practice offerings, and enthusiastic participation in our online zendo. As we respond to the reality of the pandemic, our community meetings will help us practically and creatively explore options for temple location and manifestations of the forms of our dharma practice.
Since March 2020, public health safety concerns have necessitated the close of the temple space and the move of all of our dharma events online, and our physical temple space will remain closed until December 31, 2020 due to the persistence of the pandemic. Now, we face a major decision with significant implications: we need to decide together whether or not to renew the lease on our temple home at 1922 W. Irving Park Road.
Meetings will occur in our online Zendo via ZOOM and instructions on linking are available on the website: https://www.
HYDE PARK ZEN GROUP MENTIONED IN TRICYCLE MAGAZINE ARTICLE
Our affiliated dharma group in Hyde Park was recently featured in an article in Tricycle Magazine, a monthly Buddhist review. The article talks about dharma groups at colleges and universities. Click here to read the article, which features interviews with many ADZG practitioners who are part of our Hyde Park group!
TAIGEN DAN LEIGHTON ON THE CUKE AUDIO PODCAST
A new episode of the Cuke Audio Podcast features ADZG’s guiding teacher, Taigen Dan Leighton, talking with podcast host David Chadwick. David moderates cuke.com, an archival website devoted to Shunryu Sukuki, the founder of the American branch of our lineage. You can access the podcast on Taigen’s Teachings page, as well as directly on the Cuke Audio Podcast website.
ZAZEN AND DHARMA TALK BY STEPHANIE KAZA – Sunday, August 16, 2020 @ 9:30 – 11:00 AM
Stephanie Kaza, author of Green Buddhism, draws on Buddhist ethics to address the world-altering challenges before us, as we face our grief, anxiety, and concern for the future of life on earth. Sunday Morning Public program in our online Zendo via ZOOM.
LGBTQ+ DHARMA GROUP – Friday, August 21, 2020 @ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
The LGBTQ+ dharma group meets monthly in our online Zendo via ZOOM. Format and discussions vary monthly. For more information, please email info@ancientdragon.org.
“THUS HAVE I HEARD FROM KATIGIRI ROSHI” – NEW THOUGHTS BY BRIAN TAYLOR
Click here to read some dharma thoughts by one our sangha members, Brian Taylor.
CHICAGO RELIEF OPTIONS
Take a look at the Chicago Relief Options page for a list of Chicago organizations in need of support, as well as resources to inform ways you can support our community.
Check out our Sangha News page to look at older news items previously featured here.
ARCHIVAL TALKS
- Ruth Ozeki – Writing Process and Tales of Time Being (11/5/16)
- Ruth Ozeki – Arrays of Self Amid Time Beings (11/6/16)
- Taigen Dan Leighton – The Real Martin Luther King Jr., His Anti-War Work, and His Current Relevance (1/19/20)
Latest Dharma Podcast Episodes
Traditional Buddhist Recluse Poems for Current Pandemic Practice
ADZG 818 ADZG Monday Night Dharma Talk by Matt Vogel
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.
Online Video Dharma Talks
As our sangha moves online while our physical zendo is closed, we have been able to record many of our dharma talks on video. Below is our latest video dharma talk; others can be found on our Online Video Dharma Talks page.
Getting the Goose out of the Bottle – Douglas Floyd, April 19, 2020
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.
