PLEASE BECOME A SUSTAINING MEMBER OF OUR ZEN CENTER

We invite and encourage everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to practice Zen meditation. Zen does not conflict in any way with any religious creed.

Anyone who desires to progress in body, mind, or spirit may attend the Zen center. We welcome everyone to begin their exploration of "discovering ones' true self nature" by attending the Zen Center programs of study.

NEWCOMERS & VISITORS

We strive for "Beginner's Mind". No matter how long or short your practice of Zen, we treat each period of seated (called zazen) and walking (called kinhin) meditation as if it were our "first taste". We focus our attention on the disposition of body, breath, and mind. At the end of the meditation, participants are given an opportunity to introduce themselves, talk about their interest in Zen and ask any questions they may have. Attendees often find new meaning in hearing the instructions offered. 

When coming to the Zen Center-

  • Please arrive to the Zendo (meditation hall) quietly.
  • No unnecessary talking please.
  • Arrive 5 to 10  minutes ahead of time.
  • Wear loose clean clothing. Little or no perfume is best.
  • Bring your own meditation cushions (zafu), if you have one.

MEMBERSHIP
We are called to look deeply at our lives and make a commitment to support a more sustainable future for ourselves and for all sentient beings.

If you share a deep conviction that more than ever the world needs examples of wisdom and compassion, teaching how people can live their lives in a sustainable way, we invite you to make a commitment now and become a member of Aspen Gold Dharma Center.

AS A MEMBER, YOU ARE...

Supporting our Dharma Teachers-
Our Zen Center teachers live a life committed to helping others find and live their deepest intentions.

Caring for our Zen practice places-
The Zen Center is a place where people come to slow down, sit down, and discover who they are. Members play a vital part in the stewardship and development of these resources, helping to keep our Zen Center open and accessible to all that come.

Creating a diverse and vital Sangha (community) of practice-
Your energy, inquiry, and enthusiasm are the creative force that helps to shape and to build an open and inclusive community of practitioners from all walks of life. Through your generosity we can keep the cost of programs at a level that make them available to all.

Our vital outreach programs—
from  providing Dharma books, pen-pals to the incarcerated, and those in recovery, to environmental education programs for our school children; enhancing cultural diversity within the Zen Center; facilitating affiliated Zen Centers events; advocating for compassionate action on social issues—are sustained by members through financial and volunteer support. In countless ways, working together, we are creating the conditions for a wiser, more compassionate, and more sustainable world.

Membership Levels and Benefits

Associate
If you live at a distance from our practice centers, but enjoy staying connected through our monthly e-newsletter and the Zen Center Community online, this level may be appropriate for you.
$10/month $120/year

Supporter
If you attend our public programs, and occasional classes, workshops, and retreats at any of our three practice centers, this level may be appropriate for you.
$30/month $360/year

Sustainer
If you actively attend classes, workshops, and retreats and have an ongoing practice relationship such as having taken your formal Zen  Tokudo Precept Vows with a Zen Center teacher, we encourage you to join at this level.
$50/month $600/year

Benefactor
If you would like to provide additional key support in sustaining the financial well-being of Zen Center, this level may be appropriate for you.
$100/month $1,200/year


PLEASE MAKE A PLEDGE TODAY TO SUPPORT OUR ZEN CENTER
BY CLICKING ON THE "DONATE" BUTTON BELOW.

Ongoing Zen Center Offerings- Dana

Those who use the services of the Zen Center customarily make donation offerings in approximately the following amounts:

  • Group meditation services- $5.00
  • Private meditation (Dokusan)- $20.00
  • Initiation Ceremony (Tokudo)- $100.00
  • Lecture- $50.00
  • Wedding Ceremony- $200.00
  • Zen Discipleship ceremony- $100

Reverend Thompson is also available for outside engagements in conducting of meditation and lectures on Zen- by appointment only.

You may also wish to formalize and celebrate your Zen practice at any time by requesting an Initiation (tokudo) Ceremony. This ceremony marks your involvement as a lay practitioner of Soto Zen Buddhism. "Discipleship" and "Priesthood" are also offered at the discretion of our Spiritual Director.


_/\_ gassho, Reverend Daito Zenei Thompson

Please feel free to contact Reverend Thompson by telephone at (941) 726.6228 or email at daito@live.com


Reverend Daito Zenei Thompson