2026 Fundraising Card art by Sara Hunsaker, Jizo Bodhisattva.
(click HERE to see full dimension image and image credits, and the complete card text)
Monterey Bay Zen Center
Monterey Bay Zen Center is an active Zen community that meditates, practices and gathers around the Monterey Bay. Founded by Sobun Katherine Thanas Roshi in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, we now have a council of four teachers who rotate as Guiding Teacher through the seasons and a community that is as deeply dedicated to the warm care of each other.
Great robe of liberation, Field far beyond form and emptiness, Wearing the Tathagata's teaching, Saving all beings.
— ! Svāhā ! —
Great robe of liberation, Field far beyond form and emptiness, Wearing the Tathagata's teaching, Saving all beings. — ! Svāhā ! —
On Saturday, July 18, the Monterey Bay Zen Center celebrated a traditional Soto Zen lay ordination ceremony (Jukai) at the Cherry Center. Formally taking their Bodhisattva vows were Clara Nieto, Elizabeth Orlando, and Dwight Marshall. Shōgen Danielson, of the MBZC Teaching Council conferred the precepts, culminating two years of weekly classes and study with the students. MBZC resident priest Diane Wells-Nowell guided the trio in tandem years of hand sewing their individual rakusu, the (blue) miniature kesa, the Buddha's Robe. Gratitude extends to Ingrid Aquino and Anne Muraski for their photography. Thank you to the MBZC board of directors and teaching council for their coordination of the food and reception accommodations.crafted to elevate what matters most.
Ethics
from the Teaching Council and Board of Directors of Monterey Bay Zen Center
Monterey Bay Zen Center: Ethics, Diversity & Wellbeing
The Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts, integral to sangha harmony and safety, serve as a guide for our ethical conduct… (read more).
On Systemic Racism. In deep grief over recent murders and the long history of racist violence, death and oppression during the last centuries, we acknowledge the deep-seated, systemic, and structural racism that poisons life in the United States of America.. (read more).
Wellbeing. In-person practice protocols.
Calendar
All MBZC activity summaries appear below in the calendar as always.
However, the Featured Activities Gallery has moved.
Locations
Carl Cherry Center
4th & Guadalupe NW
Carmel-by-the-Sea 93923
Tuesday Night
6:30-8:30 PM
Zazen, Kinhin, Service, Dharma Talk
Zazen Instruction
5:30-6:15 PM the first Tuesday of the month
Ordinary Recovery
Saturday, 9:00-10:00 AM
McGowan House at St. James
381 High Street at W Franklin
Monterey 93940
Monday and Thursday Morning Zazen
7:15-8:30 AM
Zazen Instruction
8:15 AM the third Thursday of the month
Wednesday Mid-Week Meditation
1:30-2:30 PM
Friday Brown Bag Zen
12:15-1:15 PM
(See calendar for Saturday/Sunday activities)
Donate
There are many ways to give back to Monterey Bay Zen Center
Follow for an option that works best for you and your intention on the donation page. Thank you!
Lotus by Boris Smokrovic on Unsplash
News
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Deborah Good. “Midnight Meditation”, 2015.
Color pencil on paper. ©Deborah Good.
Please see additional credits.