Great Plains Zen Center

Maezumi Roshi Memorial Zazenkai (May 22-24), Half-Day Sitting (Saturday, May 9), -

Maezumi Roshi Memorial Zazenkai (May 22-24), Half-Day Sitting (Saturday, May 9), In 1956, our founding treacher, Taizan Maezumi Roshi came to Los Angeles as a priest at Zenshuji Temple, the Soto Headquarters of the United States. He devoted his life to laying a firm foundation for the growth of Zen Buddhism in the West, establishing the Zen Center of Los Angeles in 1967.   Th...

Belonging to Earth Sesshin, April 16-19, Drop in Online Council Practice, April 10, Volunteer Opportunities, -

Belonging to Earth Sesshin, April 16-19, Drop in Online Council Practice, April 10, Volunteer Opportunities, Belonging to Earth Sesshin takes place Thursday night, April 16 through Sunday morning, April 19.  This year, Belonging to Earth Sesshin will feature a Buddha's Birthday service.   There will be an informal dinner Thursday evening at 5:30 and zendo/oryoki instruction will be available at 6.  Th...

March 2026 Upcoming Events: Beginner's Mind Zazenkai, March 20-22, Community Meeting on March 25, -

GPZC Community Meeting on March 25, Forest Bathing with Rev. Shinko Snyder on March 28, “Across our diverse traditions, we share a conviction that human worth is inherent, compassion is not selective, and justice is not optional. When any group is dehumanized through policy, rhetoric, or violence, the fabric of our shared humanity is torn.

March 2026 Upcoming Events: Beginner's Mind Zazenkai, March 20-22, Community Meeting on March 25, -

March 2026 Upcoming Events: Beginner's Mind Zazenkai, March 20-22, Community Meeting on March 25, It is time once again for Beginner’s Mind Zazenkai.   You are invited attend in person or online.  If you are relatively new to retreats or haven’t done one for a while, this could be for you! Beginner’s Mind retreats (March and September) are especially geared for those who have limited or...

February 2026 Upcoming Events: Nirvana Day Zazenkai, Community Meeting, Workshops and Classes -

February 2026 Upcoming Events: Nirvana Day Zazenkai, Community Meeting, Workshops and Classes During the teisho (talk), we will explore the events around the passing of the Buddha into Mahaparinirvana, the challenges in the transmission of his teachings in the years following, and the implications for how we uphold and preserve the Buddha’s teachings today. We encourage you to attend this ...

January 2026 Events: Half Day Sitting, Jan 17 with Aspects Class 2, New Year's Sesshin, Jan 22-25, -

January 2026 Events: Half Day Sitting, Jan 17 with Aspects Class 2, New Year's Sesshin, Jan 22-25, New Year’s Sesshin takes place from 7:30 PM on January 22 through 8 AM on Sunday January 25.  Attend full time or part time in person or online.  

New Year's Sesshin, January 22-25 2026 -

New Year's Sesshin, January 22-25 2026 New Year’s Sesshin takes place from 7:30 PM on January 22 through 8 AM on Sunday January 25.  Attend full time or part time in person   For those able to participate in person, the stark and immediate landscape of winter pulls us into a practice that is clear and intense.

Refugee One Donation Drive, Save the Date: Book Club (Feb - May) -

Refugee One Donation Drive, Save the Date: Book Club (Feb - May) GPZC has had an ongoing relationship with RefugeeOne in Chicago.  In 2018, the sewing circle made oryoki cloths for us at a time when we could not keep up with the demand for oryoki sets for loan or purchase due to large attendance at sesshin.  Last year, we participated in RegugeeOne's Making a ...

Join us for Joya no Kane Sunday night, Dec. 28

Joya no Kane (Bells of Renewal) Ceremony, Dec. 28 2025 7 PM Joya no Kane Ceremony in Japan Please join us Sunday night, December 28 at Countryside Church in Palatine for Joya no Kane, the Year’s End Atonement Ceremony. This will take place during our usual sitting time, from 7PM until about 8:30 PM. All are welcome to attend in person or online using the regular ...

Join us for Joya no Kane Sunday night, Dec. 28 Joya no Kane (Bells of Renewal) Ceremony, Dec. 28 2025 7 PM   Joya no Kane Ceremony in Japan Please join us Sunday night, December 28 at Countryside Church in Palatine for Joya no Kane, the Y…