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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. Residency not only assists one's own efforts; it is a vehicle for service to the Center, and one should not consider it without a deep willingness to serve those who practice here. It is expected that a resident will have stable employment (or independent financial stability) during their residency. More more information on residency, including cost, responsibilities, and expectations is available here .

TAKING THE PRECEPTS (JUKAI) Zen is a particular expression of the Dharma of the Buddha. As such, it shares with all schools of Buddhism a commitment to the Noble Path the Buddha taught as the sure means to liberation. To be sure, Zen puts great store in the practice of concerted meditation, but one cannot dispense with the other elements of the Path—and in particular moral sensitivity and an aspiration to wisdom—without utterly losing one's bearings. In union with all of the sons and daughters of the Buddha, we therefore take the precepts. They function as a guide because they straightforwardly describe the comportment of the awakened and awakening ones. We check our body, speech, and mind against them in order to see where we still need to apply greater effort and resolve—and cultivate greater insight and wisdom—in our practice and in our lives. In our tradition we take the Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts: The Threefold Refuge in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha The Three Resolutions to do good, to avoid evil, and to liberate sentient beings The Ten Cardinal Precepts: I resolve not to kill, but to cherish all life I resolve not to take what is not given, but to respect the things of others I resolve not to misuse sexuality, but to be caring and responsible I resolve not to lie, but to speak the truth I resolve not to cause others to abuse alcohol or drugs, nor to do so myself, but to keep the mind clear I resolve not to speak of the faults of others, but to be understanding and sympathetic I resolve not to praise myself and disparage others, but to overcome my own shortcomings I resolve not to withhold spiritual or material aid, but to give them freely where needed I resolve not to indulge in anger, but to practice forbearance I resolve not to revile the Three Treasures, but to cherish and uphold them They are taken/renewed twice a year (spring and fall) in a ceremony called Jukai. In keeping with the long tradition of the Dharma, anyone who presents themselves that evening may take them. There is no preliminary catechesis involved, nor is there any charge. Anyone with questions about them is certainly free to bring them up in the context of dokusan, and occasionally they are the subject of teisho. The importance of the precepts for Zen practice is highlighted by the fact that they are taken again in conjunction with ordination and with sanctioning as a teacher. Indeed, they are often incorporated into wedding ceremonies held at the Center. The incomprehensible profundity of the precepts is highlighted by the fact that towards the end of one's koan training they are taken up as koans in their own right.

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: One-on-one meeting with a senior student concerning one's practice and practice-related concerns Dokusan: 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: 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: The abbreviated robe of the Buddha worn about the neck Teisho: 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

HEAD OF ZENDO NATHANIEL NAMOWICZ As an 18-year old Nate first stumbled into the CZC in 1999 after finding the Center's address stamped in the back of a copy of Three Pillars of Zen. He quickly took his youthful enthusiasm to residential training at the Rochester Zen Center and, later, to Bukkoku-ji monastery in Japan, where Kapleau himself had trained. Af ter several years in Los Angeles pursuing a career in the architectural arts, he returned to his hometown of Chicago to start a family. He currently works as a part-time landlord, part-time grocer, and full-time father of two. Nate took over as Head of Zendo in 2023, and he has been the mastermind and muscle behind many of the Center's recent renovations. He ordained as a novice in May 2025 and will ordain as a priest in September 2026.

SUPPORT & MEMBERSHIP We are able to offer the Dharma to all only because of the generous support of so many. If you find it important to you that a place such as this is able to do the work it does, you might be moved to contribute financially to its support. Electronic contributions may be sent via the Donate button below (PayPal) or via Zelle using czc.business.mgr@gmail.com as the recipient (preferred). If your employer matches your charitable donations, our business manager can help you with the necessary filing information. At the end of each calendar year, the Center sends out contribution statements for you to use when filing your taxes. CONTRIBUTIONS Our temple is a community resource, and we offer the Dharma freely to anyone sincerely looking for support on their path to awakening. In keeping with the long Buddhist tradition, there is no charge for anything the Center has to offer. The only exception is sesshin, since it involves expenses connected with food and lodging, but even sesshin fees may be underwritten by resources from the Abbot's Fund in cases where one is unable to afford them on one's own. MEMBERSHIP When the Chicago Zen Center begins to feel like an integral part of your spiritual work, you might consider becoming a sustaining member. Dues are modest ($50/month or $600/year for regular individual membership; $75/month or $900/year for regular couples membership; $10/month or $120/year for students or those who are underemployed). They can be paid in cash at the Center, by check through the mail or at the Center, or electronically via the Donate button above (PayPal) or through Zelle to czc.business.mgr@gmail.com (preferred). Membership dues count towards your charitable donations for tax purposes. Be sure to fill out the Membership Form below so we have an accurate census and your contact information should we need it. Membership Form PLANNED GIVING One way to ensure the continued teaching presence of the Center is to include the Center in your estate planning. Even modest endowments can go some distance to help secure the building and programming of the Center into the future. For information on our tax identification number and the like, please consult the Center's business manager (czc.business.mgr@gmail.com ).

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) 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) 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)

GALLERY

GROUP VISITS The Chicago Zen Center is more than happy to welcome interested school and other groups. A teacher or professor or leader may wish to bring the whole group at once; in other cases, individuals may be required to visit the center on their own time as part of an individual paper or project. The Center is able to accommodate both kinds of visit. A group visit to the Center will generally take place in the morning or early afternoon and involve a short talk on Zen and this temple, a tour of the building including a description of the various procedures that take place, and an introduction to the sounds of the Center (bells, drum, mokugyo, kesu, etc.). After that, the group proceeds to the zendo, where everyone receives basic meditation instruction and posture demonstrations. A short (usually 20 minute) period of zazen followed by questions wraps up the visit. If you are a teacher, professor, or group leader, and you would like to bring the group all at once for an introduction to the Center and Zen practice, email the center at least six weeks in advance of the tentative date to schedule your visit. There is no charge for such visits, although a donation to the Center is wholly appropriate. GROUP VISITS INDIVIDUAL VISITS FOR CLASS A group visit allows a large number of people the easiest exposure to practice at the Center, but it takes place outside of normal practice times. To experience practice in the company of sangha members, students or group participants might be asked to attend a sitting individually or by twos or threes. Anyone taking part in such a visit will be expected to participate in the formal rounds of meditation without fidgeting or distraction. If you are a teacher, professor, or group leader, and you would like your students or participants to come individually or in very small groupings, email the Center at least one month ahead of time to determine the advisability of such visits for your particular students or participants. Again, while there is no charge for such visits, a small donation to the Center is wholly appropriate. INVITE A SPEAKER If your school, community group, or religious institution would like to have a representative of the Center address your group on Buddhism, Zen, interreligious dialogue, or any of our particular practices, contact the Center to see about availabilty.

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