Membership and More

We offer several ways to express your commitment to Zen practice.

Member

Members pay dues to support NPZC. We suggest a monthly contribution of $50. We recognize that financial circumstances vary. No one will be turned away due to financial hardship. If your current access to financial resources is:

We receive with gratitude what you are able to offer. We accept cash, checks, Venmo, and PayPal. PayPal’s the most convenient for scheduling monthly auto-payment. Membership fees are tax-deductible.

Members receive priority for interviews with Jo An Sensei, and discounts at upcoming retreats. Most importantly, by becoming a member, you help sustain the temple and express your dedication to practicing with the NPZC community.

To become a member, email the NPZC president, A. Jesse Jiryu Davis.

Formal student

Members may request to become formal students of Jo An Sensei. First talk with Sensei about your intention to become a student, then check our calendar for an upcoming tangaryo. Tangaryo is a traditional all-day, mostly unstructured meditation retreat, followed by a formal student ceremony and tea. As part of this tradition, new students are invited to offer “incense money”—a donation to the teacher in any amount that feels appropriate—to mark this step in their practice.

Jukai

Jukai means “to receive the precepts.” It is an initiation into the Zen Buddhist community. We occasionally hold series of study sessions on the Buddhist precepts. These study sessions, along with sewing a rakusu (a miniature “buddha robe”), are an additional sign of a commitment towards your practice. In the Jukai ceremony, you will receive your rakusu with your transmitted dharma name, oryoki bowls, and the kechyimyaku, connecting you to the lineage of people who practiced in the past.

Please speak with Jo An Sensei or email him if you’re interested in becoming a student, or taking jukai. Each of these steps is significant and deserves thoughtful discussion as you continue to deepen your practice.