Yokoji-Zen Mountain Center

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 first Saturday of the month 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.

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Yokoji Podcast

Latest from the monthly Yokoji Podcast

Yokoji Zen Blog

Recent posts from the Yokoji Zen Blog

  • Gratitude

    Gratitude

    Reflections on my first few days of my week at Yokoji for Dharma Transmission.

    February 03, 2021 | Comments: 2

  • Henrike Jishin Reef

    Henrike Jishin Reef

    It’s with a heavy heart that we share the news that Henrike Jishin Reef died on December 7, 2020. Jishin was a resident at Yokoji from 2009-2011 and served as Head Trainee in the spring of 2011.

    January 29, 2021 | Comments: 5

Upcoming Events

Visit our events page for the full Yokoji calendar

  • Saturday Schedule

    First Saturday of the month (call to check during holidays and bad weather)

    Join us on the first Saturday morning of each month at 10:00 AM for meditation, dharma talk and lunch. Meditation instruction classes offered for beginners starting at 9:30 AM. More details on events page.

  • July 22, 2022 - July 24, 2022

    REGISTRATION CLOSED - THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED

    Sesshin can be translated as “to touch the heart-mind.” Sesshin is at...

  • September 4, 2022 - November 13, 2022

    The Fall Training Period at Yokoji is a time of intensified practice for the whole community—where we have the wonderful opportunity to recommit...

  • September 4, 2022 - September 11, 2022

    Sesshin is at the heart of Zen Practice—a chance to give full attention to one’s life without distraction. Participants live at the Center for the...

  • October 28, 2022 - October 30, 2022

    Sesshin can be translated as “to touch the heart-mind.” Sesshin is at the heart of Zen Practice - a chance to give full attention to one’s life...

  • November 6, 2022 - November 13, 2022

    The final sesshin of the Fall Training Period. Rohatsu means ‘December 8th’ in Japanese, the date of Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment, but we...