ZEN IN THE WEST
Soto Zen, as practiced at Houston Zen Center, has its roots in India, China and Japan. Zen teachers from Japan started coming to the States at the end
of the 1800’s, and continued to visit during the early 1900’s, eventually establishing Centers, temples and monasteries.
A
Zen priest by the name of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi came to San Francisco in 1959 to lead the Japanese Zen congregation there, eventually, in 1967,
establishing the first Zen monastery. Our Abiding Teacher trained there for many years.
It is known as Tassajara Zen Mountain Center,
and is now the oldest and largest Zen monastery in the West. Visitors are welcome during the summer months.
The sounds of Tassajara are available on this page, below.
RESOURCES
Links to web sites that offer downloadable versions of Zen and other Mahayana Buddhists Scriptures. Scroll through the various offerings to discover many generous offerings and surprises.
Everyday Zen: A reliable resource for study guides, dharma talks and more.
Tassajara Zen Mountain Center
Sounds of the Monastery and the Daily Monastic Chants: You will hear the sound of the head monk running through the hills, ringing the bell to wake everyone up before dawn -- with the creek in the background. You can then listen to the wooden drum and robe chant, followed by the daily morning chants, meal sutras and more.
The Time Drum through the Robe Chant.
Morning Service Chants: Heart Sutra through Dai Hi Shin Darani.