ZENDO JOBS Drum Play the taiko drum at the start of sesshin and before teisho. Han Strike the wood block that signals the beginning of the rounds of zazen and announces teisho or chanting. Greeter Welcome new visitors and give them a brief orientation to practice, if needed. Lead Chanter Conduct the chanting services and assist at other ceremonies such as Jukai. Mokugyo Keep time during chanting on the mokugyo. Offices Offer incense at the Center's altars, chanting and ringing a small handbell between them, before morning sittings. Timer Ring the big bell, strike the clappers, and keep time with the inkin bell during formal rounds. When there is no monitor, the timer also announces and rings down the dokusan line. As an essentially lay, non-residential sangha, we have to rely on each other's readiness to step up and commit to the work of making formal practice a reality. Not only is this a way to keep the temple functioning, it also provides yet another occasion for one to learn to step out of the way and let things just as they are unfold. One place to begin is demonstrating a willingness to train at the various instruments and jobs that sustain our common practice. Some of the instruments and jobs almost anyone can be trained to play or do. Others require particular skill sets. Talk with the Abbot or the Head of Zendo if you'd like to take a stab at training up at any of these:

OUR LINEAGE Practice at the Chicago Zen Center has from the very beginning been built upon a strong teaching tradition. Philip Kapleau, the Center's founding teacher, is widely recognized as one of the major contributors to the establishment of the Harada-Yasutani tradition of Zen on American soil and beyond. His Three Pillars of Zen continues to serve as a sure guide for anyone interested in getting to know something of Zen from the inside out. At its founding in 1974, the Chicago Zen Center was an affiliate of the Rochester Zen Center, where Kapleau was abbot. When Kapleau passed on the abbotship of the RZC to his Dharma heir, Bodhin Kjolhede, responsibility for the CZC was passed on as well. Both Kapleau and Kjolhede would travel to the Midwest (Chicago or Madison, WI) at least twice a year for short sesshins, and CZC members often made the trip to Rochester to attend longer sesshins there. Their dedication to the Chicago sangha helped the Center to grow, and by 1996 the CZC was large and established enough to warrant its own resident teacher. Sevan Ross, who had trained extensively in Rochester, moved to Chicago that year and was made its first autonomous teacher in 1997. At the same time, the CZC became financially and administratively independent of Rochester, but the CZC continues to maintain strong Dharma ties with RZC and the other sanghas throughout the world that have their roots in the Kapleau teaching tradition. After almost a decade and a half of tireless service, Ross decided the time was right for a new generation to guide the Center. Yusan Graham was sanctioned as a teacher in 2009, ordained a priest in 2010, and installed as the new abbot that same year. Under his leadership the sangha stabilized and grew both in numbers and in the spirit of dedicated practice. In 2021 Yusan sanctioned Shodhin Geiman, a priest of the Center since 2010, as a teacher in his own right. In 2023 Yusan retired as abbot and designated Shodhin as his successor. Philip Kapleau Bodhin Kjolhede Sevan Ross Yusan Graham Shodhin Geiman

OVERNIGHTS & RESIDENCY Members coming from a distance—or even those who live not too far away—can arrange to stay at the Center overnight so as to take advantage of added time in the zendo or to attend two back-to-back sittings (for example, Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning). Check with the Center beforehand to be sure of space availability. A member may find that the time is right in their life for a more concerted form of practice, and full-time residency at the Center emerges as a possibility. The CZC is not a training temple with a full program of daily activity geared toward its residential staff; for that, one might look to residential training at the Rochester Zen Center. Instead, we offer an opportunity to framing one's existing everyday life in the context of a practice environment for a time, taking advantage of frequent access to the zendo and dokusan room, and sharing in the quiet background work that sustains the practice life of the Center. More more information on residency, including cost, responsibilities, and expectations is available here .

Chicago Zen Center is a Zen Buddhist temple in the Rochester (Kapleau) lineage offering the full range of Zen training and practice. Chicago Zen Center The doors of the Chicago Zen Center are open to all who wish to know and live the Dharma of the Buddha in an atmosphere of sincerity and trust. We welcome all who wish to join us in this great undertaking. COMING UP 4-Day Sesshin Weds, Oct 14, 7:30pm–Sun, Oct 18, noonish Center Closed Tues, Oct 13 for set-up Center Closed Mon, Oct 19 Fall Sangha Meeting Sunday, Oct 25, 9:00am Informal sitting starting at 8:00am Intro to Practice Tues, Nov 3, 7:00pm Temple Night / Jukai Fri, Nov 20, 7:00pm Ceremony of Gratitude Sun, Nov 22, 10:00am Intro to Practice Tues, Dec 1, 7:00pm 4-Day Rohatsu Sesshin Weds Dec 9, 7:30pm—Sun Dec 13, noonish Applications due Weds, Nov 25 Center Closed Tues, Dec 8 for set-up Center Closed Mon, Dec 14 Holiday Closure Sun, Dec 20–Sat Jan 2 STARTING PRACTICE SESSHIN SUPPORT & MEMBERSHIP Receive CZC Email Notifications First name Last name Email I want to subscribe to your mailing list. Submit Thanks for submitting! Chicago Zen Center 2029 Ridge Ave Evanston, IL 60201 contact@chicagozen.org

SESSHIN We are fortunate to have an ample building that makes it possible to accommodate up to 24 people for frequent live-in, multi-day retreats known as sesshin. There is no question but that sesshin is the highest expression of Zen training and a vehicle second to none for developing a focused, concentrated practice and honing the mind of awakening. Most anyone who has established their practice at the Center may take part in sesshin, and we warmly welcome practitioners from other Dharma centers, regardless of practice tradition. We offer sesshin five times a year, ranging in length from four to six days. The next scheduled sesshins are Oct 14, 7:30pm–Oct 18, 2026, noonish [deadline Oct 9] Dec 9, 7:30pm–Dec 13, 2026, noonish (Rohatsu) [deadline Nov 25] Feb 24, 7:30pm–Feb 28, 2027, noonish [deadline Feb 10] May 26, 7:30pm–May 30, 2027, noonish [deadline May 12] July 19, 7:30pm–July 25, 2027, noonish [deadline Jul 5] All participants live at the center, take part in daily cleaning and cooking activities, and spend upwards of ten hours a day in formal zazen (there is no Zoom option). The day is broken up by meals, a work period, a calisthenics period, and three rest periods. Two chanting services are held, and teisho is offered daily. Dokusan is offered three times in the course of a normal sesshin day. While full-time attendance is optimal, work and family commitments may make such attendance difficult, so it is possible to attend sesshin part- or short-time. Part-time attendance means that one will need to excuse oneself from some part of the sesshin day. Short-time attendance means that one will attend complete sesshin days, but not all of the days of sesshin, e.g. Friday-Sunday rather than a full Wednesday-Sunday. If one is coming part- or short-time, please make every effort to plan your arrivals/departures so they fall between two blocks in the sesshin schedule. But because sesshin is not just a bunch of rounds of zazen but is instead a full practice involving all the components of the sesshin day, no one will be accepted for sesshin if they only wish to attend isolated blocks. Simply put, if your intentions for sesshin attendance do not involve being on hand for any meals, work periods, or chanting services, then it is not sesshin that you are looking for. Consult with or email Nenshin, our Head of Zendo (nenshinnamowicz@gmail.com ) if you have any questions. For more specific details about sesshin proper, consult our Sesshin Guidelines . For the run of the sesshin day, consult the Sesshin Schedule . To apply for sesshin: APPLICATION

OUR PEOPLE The Chicago Zen Center was founded in 1974 by a small group of folks who were interested in practicing Zen as taught by Philip Kapleau in the Harada-Yasutani tradition. Since then it has grown into a complete practice center, under the guidance of established teachers, offering the full spectrum of Zen training and practice opportunities: daily sittings (all with dokusan), weekly teishos, a regular schedule of sesshin retreats, and a full complement of Buddhist celebrations and devotional services. The men and women who practice here come from every walk of life across all age ranges, from late adolescents through octogenarians (small children, for whom zazen would be a rather bizarre kind of time out, are more than welcome at our special ceremonies throughout the year). What unites us all is our diligent pursuit of the Dharma. Leaving our self-definitions to the side, here we practice simply as human beings in pursuit of the Way. If you have any questions, contact the Center: contact@chicagozen.org .

GLOSSARY Here we use English terms unless there's good reason not to (e.g., since zafu simply means sitting cushion, we just say cushion ). Still, there are limits to some translations, and below are some of the non-English, practice-related words one will hear at the Chicago Zen Center: Daisan (DYE-sahn ): One-on-one meeting with a senior student concerning one's practice and practice-related concerns Dokusan (DOAK-sahn ): One-on-one meeting with the teacher concerning one's practice, koan work, and the confirmation of insight Gassho: Hands held palm-to-palm, and, depending on the context, accompanied by a bow Han: The wooden block that is struck before formal rounds, teisho or chanting Inkin Bell: The bell that is used to mark time and movement Kentan: Morning review and greeting of the zendo by the teacher Kesa: The patchwork outermost robe of a priest, the robe of the Buddha Kesu: Metal bowl gongs used during chanting and other services Kinhin (KEEN-heen ): Walking meditation Kyosaku: The flattened, wooden "encouragement" stick (often, we just say stick ) Mokugyo: Wooden "fish" drum used to keep time during chanting Mok-Tok: Hand-held version of the mokugyo Rakusu (RAHK-soo ): The abbreviated robe of the Buddha worn about the neck Teisho (TAY-sho ): The formal talk of a Zen teacher Umpan: Gong sounded for meals Zagu: The bowing cloth of a priest Zazen: Seated meditation Zendo: Meditation Hall

MEMBERS All are welcome to practice here, but membership in the Chicago Zen Center opens up opportunities for practice that go beyond mere attendance that help to sustain the CZC as a thriving, dynamic center. While the ordained of the Center make a particular commitment to the Dharma and those who practice here, it can truly be said that the life of the Center rests on the eager dedication, service, and support of its everyday members. The subheadings contain information on extra offerings available to those who have become pledging members of the Center. To become a member, refer to the "Support & Membership" page .

ABBOT EMERITUS YUSAN GRAHAM In 1989, having just moved to the Chicago area with his young family, Yusan took his search for direction in his budding meditation practice to the Yellow Pages (kind of like the internet, but tree-based), and found the Chicago Zen Center. Yusan took on lay ordination (a formal commitment to greater service) in 2004, followed by full ordination by his teacher, Sensei Sevan Ross, in 2010. Later that year he succeeded Sevan Ross as abbot of the CZC. He stepped down from the role of abbot in 2023. Yusan and his wife Debbie are now empty nesters, following with great interest the adventures of their two kids. At present they live in Texas caring for elderly family members. Prior to his retirement, he worked in the field of Assistive Technology at a local university.

A TYPICAL WEEK SUNDAY 8:00 am - 10:00 am One 50 minute* round of zazen (with dokusan), followed by chanting and teisho. Bagels, tea, coffee, etc. (optional) afterwards MONDAY 5:45 am - 6:35 am One 50 minute* round of zazen (with dokusan, including Zoom dokusan) TUESDAY 7:30 pm - 8:55 pm Three 25 minute rounds of zazen (with dokusan) with 5 minutes kinhin in between WEDNESDAY 5:45 am - 6:35 am One 50 minute* round of zazen (with dokusan) 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Zoom dokusan for out-of-towners THURSDAY 7:30 pm - 9:20 pm Two 50 minute* rounds of zazen (with dokusan) with 10 minutes kinhin in between FRIDAY 5:45 am - 6:35 am One 50 minute* round of zazen (with dokusan) * There is a posture change at the halfway mark (25 mins)

CHANTING While the bulk of our common practice is carried out in silence, chanting is an integral part of the total practice package. Far from a departure from the stillness of the zendo, it is that stillness now maintained with the use of the voice. In this respect, it is simply another form of zazen. The words are not as important as our ability to throw ourselves completely into the chant, surrendering to the rhythm of the instruments and the blend of our voices. We are helped in this regard by the fact that there are only a few chants that we do, and the chant lineup remains rather invariant week to week, year in and year out: Sunday Chanting Service The Three Treasures Prajna Paramita Hridaya (Heart of Perfect Wisdom) Kannon Sutra Shosai Myokichijo Dharani Return of Merit Sesshin Morning Chanting Service The Three Treasures Affirming Faith in Mind (Xin Xin Ming) Shosai Myokichijo Dharani Homage to Dharma Ancestors Sesshin Afternoon Chanting Service The Three Treasures Prajna Paramita Hridaya (Heart of Perfect Wisdom) Kannon Sutra Daihishin Dharani Return of Merit The Four Vows There are chant books available in the Buddha Hall, so there is no need to memorize the chants ahead of time. If you'd like to look at them on your own, download this pdf of the chant book.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES The Board of Trustees of the Chicago Zen Center is tasked with setting administrative policy and overseeing the financial and legal affairs of the Center. The Board is composed of five members, four elected by the sangha and one appointed by the Board. A member of the Board, whether elected or appointed, may serve no more than two consecutive two-year terms before being required to sit out a year before possibly being reelected or reappointed. To serve on the Board, one must be a non-ordained member of the Center in good standing. The members of the Board of Trustees and the dates their terms expire are: Tuck Decker (4/2028-1) Ellen McClure, Chair (04/2027-1) Brian Mazzaferri (04/2028-1) Hugh Thomas (04/2027-2) Travis White-Schwoch (10/2027–1) Pictured left to right: Brian Mazzaferri, Tuck Decker, Ellen McClure, Travis White-Schwoch. Not pictured: Hugh Thomas CORPORATE OFFICERS The Center has four corporate officers as stipulated by the Bylaws. Officers are elected by the Board of Trustees annually, and their duties are outlined in the Bylaws and relevant parts of Illinois law. The Center's current officers are: President: Ven. Shodhin Geiman Vice-President: Hugh Thomas Secretary: Alex Shelley Treasurer: Nat Krause GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE The Center's Bylaws and Ethical Guidelines call for the establishment of a Grievance Committee. The Grievance Committee is tasked with fielding ethical complaints that may arise against any of the Center's administrators, officers or other leaders. A Center member may approach any of the Grievance Committee members to initiate the inquiry process. The current Grievance Committee members are: Wayne Guzy Mary Jeanne Larrabee Mary Reynolds In case one of the members is unable to serve or is the subject of the complaint, the Board will designate an alternate.