Welcome to Yokoji
We are an internationally renowned, fully accredited Zen Center located in the beautiful mountains of Southern California.
Yokoji provides a place for people from all walks of life to practice Zen Buddhism. There are many ways you can do this.
Every Sunday we run introductory classes in zazen (Zen meditation). Throughout the year there are events, often on weekends, which focus on various aspects of Zen practice. We hold sesshin (silent meditation retreats) almost every month of the year, ranging from 2-7 days.
It is possible to stay at Yokoji for any period of time. You can join our residential training program and follow the schedule for a number of days, months or years. Overnight and weekend stays are also an option if you would like to join in with the programs that we offer. Check the events page for details.
Yokoji Podcast
Latest from the monthly Yokoji Podcast
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Every Day is a Good Day
Tenshin Roshi talks about the community's experience over the winter with the heavy storms that caused major damage.
Posted on 1 May 2019 | 12:30 am
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Who Are We Leaving This To?
Tenshin Roshi talks on Case 30 of the Book of Equanimty, "Daizu's Kalpa Fire" in relation to current circumstances.
Posted on 1 April 2019 | 12:30 am
Yokoji Zen Blog
Recent posts from the Yokoji Zen Blog
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Destroyed or Not Destroyed: How Will We Answer?
There is an old Zen koan that seems particularly relevant today: Daizui’s Kalpa Fire. In this koan, a monk asks his teacher, Daizui, “In the raging of kalpa fire, chiliocosms (10,000 universes) are together destroyed. I wonder if this is destroyed or not destroyed?” Daizui responds, “Destroyed.” The monk continues, “If so, does everything go with it?” Daizui answers, “Everything goes with it.” The same monk later asks another teacher, Ryusai, the same question, and Ryusai replies, “Not Destroyed.” When the monk asks, “Why is it not destroyed?” Ryusai replies, “Because it is the same as the chiliocosms.”
May 18, 2019 | Comments: 0 -
News & Events | May 2019
Life at Yokoji has settled into the rhythm of Spring Training Period. Apple Canyon shows welcome signs of emergent spring as winter retreats. The blossoms on the apple tree outside the office are in full bloom, and every morning as residents gather for their morning work practice, the sun crests the eastern mountains and bathes the flowers in brilliant light…..
May 03, 2019 | Comments: 0