2024 Year-End Annual Appeal
The wheel of dharma and the wheel of generosity turn together
Dear Dragon-sattva,
Responding to the waves of life is our practice and you have been with us in body and spirit as we continue our journey together at this dynamic time. This summer and autumn have been marked by remarkable challenges for all of us.
We invite you to continue our practice together at the temple, at home, and in this world. We hope you will support Ancient Dragon Zen Gate through the Buddha’s practice of generosity which takes care of our dragon home and turns the dharma wheel.
Join us in this practice of care with your gift today. During this year-end season of generosity we hope to raise $40,000.
Welcoming the delights and dangers of change with flexibility, caring and clarity is the buddha way. Our warm-hearted Suzuki-roshi family style of practice is deeply rooted in zazen, dharma study, and community practice. Sangha members tell us that our welcoming dragon community is a vital refuge and that our strong zazen practice is a dharma gateway to an awakened life.
As Guiding Teacher and Temple Director, we experience firsthand the jewel of sangha. Our community worked closely together to achieve a profound leadership transition, deeply honoring Taigen Dan Leighton’s years of service with his continued role as emeritus teacher. Our dragon sangha is growing every week and it is heartening to see dharma friendships flourish. One newer dragon recently commented, “I practiced many years mostly on my own, and only since coming to Ancient Dragon do I have the deep experience of the importance of sangha.”
Your financial support is vital to our ability to be a refuge and gateway. All of our regular dharma events – many weekly zazen offerings, dharma study, dokusan, sesshins – are offered widely to everyone regardless of income, which your gift makes possible. Thank you!
We intend to continue strengthening the vibrant ecosystem that is our dragon sangha through 1) structural improvements to the temple, including the installation of a library-community room, improved zendo lighting, and audio upgrades, 2) bolstering our zen training realms, & 3) broadening our fundraising and community connections by increasing funding for marketing and website development, and co-hosting the 2025 Branching Streams gathering of Suzuki-roshi lineage temples in partnership with our friends at San Francisco and Milwaukee Zen Centers. With your help we will accomplish these goals and more in the coming year.
Please make your contribution by visiting our donation page.
Your giving makes it possible for Ancient Dragon Zen Gate to spread the seeds of dharma in Chicago and beyond. May our practice benefit all beings and the great earth.
With palms joined and grateful hearts,
Hōgetsu Laurie Belzer Dylan Toropov
Guiding Teacher Director
P.S. Click here to see sangha photos and highlights of the past year!
Ancient Dragon Zen Gate is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. A copy of our IRS Determination Letter is available upon request. Please speak with a tax professional should you have any questions regarding the deductibility of any donation.