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OUR VISION

The Santa Barbara Zen Center (SBZC) envisions an enlightened world in which all sentient beings transcend suffering and experience wellbeing. This vision includes an ever-growing community of individuals who joyfully and wholeheartedly support one another in studying and practicing the Buddha Way.

OUR MISSION

SBZC’s mission is to provide instruction in Buddhist teachings and opportunities to explore and develop a Zen practice. The Center offers weekly meditation (Zazen) at formal and informal gatherings. In addition it provides opportunities to deepen practice through classes, private interviews with Zen teachers, retreats, and participation in traditional Zen ceremonies. Grounded in the Soto Zen tradition, SBZC welcomes participants from diverse meditation traditions. SBZC aspires to conduct its activities in a manner that embodies the wisdom and compassionate teachings of the Buddha.

OUR VALUES

As Zen students, we embrace the wisdom and ethical conduct found in the core teachings of the Buddha, the Mahayana School of Buddhism, and the teachings within the Soto Zen tradition, including:

  • The Eight-fold Path, as it flows from the Buddha’s description of Four Noble Truths

  • The Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts; and

  • The Six Perfections

As Sangha members working to fulfill our vision and mission and to focus our efforts to accomplish the Buddha Way, we do our best to:

  • Communicate using skillful means with transparency, openness, and integrity;

  • Nurture a climate of trust, acceptance, and respect in which all can speak and listen from the heart;

  • Manage differences by remaining engaged in conversation and committed to resolving conflicts;

  • Support a lighthearted atmosphere where we find humor while learning from our own imperfections;

  • Honor diversity and welcome all people, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, physical and mental ability, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression and socio-economic background;

  • Remain mindful of our interdependence with every being and with our environment;

  • Encourage efforts to support those in need in the broader community;

  • Cultivate partnerships with other Buddhist centers that have similar missions.

OUR CORE PRACTICES

Meditation (Zazen)

Maintaining the precepts

Studying, training, and participating in Zen ritual and ceremony

Engaging in private interviews with teachers (Dokusan)

Participating in the shared stewardship of SBZC and contributing in ways that help the center fulfill its vision and mission

Committing to Sangha building and the ongoing development of skillful means on such topics as: understanding and appreciating our differences as well as those things that unify us; intrapersonal dynamics; council practice; and techniques of non-violent communication

INCLUSION

Embracing all, the Santa Barbara Zen Center affirms the fundamental connection of all beings.  We warmly invite people of every race, ethnicity, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, and ability to join us in the practice of zazen.  Aspiring to do no harm, we recognize our liberation is interconnected with the liberation of all beings.  

May all beings realize their true nature.