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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The Great Compassionate One
A talk given on June 23rd, 2019 by Tenshin Roshi at Yokoji Zen Mountain Center.
Posted on 1 July 2019 | 12:30 am
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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
Yokoji Zen Blog
Recent posts from the Yokoji Zen Blog
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News & Events | July 2019
Recently, numerous maintenance and repair projects have predominated work practice, allowing students ample opportunity to actualize zazen off the cushion through ordinary, day-to-day activity, while continuing the precious work of maintaining the grounds and buildings of Yokoji. Whether you join us for Sunday program and cleanup, or spend a few days at Yokoji, life at the Center is a wonderful opportunity to embrace the fact that Zen practice has no boundaries. When we open ourselves to life itself, we are enriched and transformed.
July 05, 2019 | Comments: 0 -
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: 4