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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Refining Our Activity
Tenshin Roshi gives a talk on Mother's Day, 2019.
Posted on 1 June 2019 | 11:46 am
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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
Yokoji Zen Blog
Recent posts from the Yokoji Zen Blog
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Just As It Is
Another question I’ve been asked is, “When did you start practicing Zen?” Again, I’m not really sure how to answer that. Do I date it from the time when I started reading books about Zen Buddhism and intellectually embraced the philosophy? When I started to sit in meditation and first tried to “think not-thinking?” How about when I began sitting with other people and started going through the motions? Or when I found my teacher? My first training period? Jukai? I really can’t tell you the exact date when I started to feel it in my bones and not simply think it in my brain. Is the question, “When will you stop practicing Zen?” any easier? When I die? Maybe! Again, there isn’t a clear beginning or end to this, as far as I can tell.
June 12, 2019 | Comments: 1 -
News & Events | June 2019
With plentiful rainfall over the last few months Apple Canyon is flourishing. There are bright signs of life all around. As we go about our daily schedule immersion in residential life lends itself to a real appreciation of the natural rhythms of the valley. As the cherry blossoms bloom and fall to the ground, flowering hillsides give way to a sea of tall grass rippling in the wind. The ever-present shifting of the days and seasons mirrors the nature of our training. At this time of year we embrace a necessary shift in momentum— as Spring Training Period opens into Summer Interim Period and guest season comes to a close, our emphasis becomes the essential, daily work of maintaining the buildings and grounds.
June 12, 2019 | Comments: 0