Practice Periods & Intensives at City Center

Beginning in January 2024, the City Center Renovation Project will require that application for residential practice opportunities at City Center be suspended. This will continue until the end of 2024 or the completion of the project. Applications may be accepted again beginning in November 2024 for 2025. To stay informed about the project and its progress, please sign up to receive Sangha News and check our social media communications (see links in the footer of the website).

Green Gulch Farm and Tassajara will continue to offer residential practice opportunities, as described on the Live the Temple Life page.


A Practice Period is a traditional training period common in the schools of Buddhism and varying between six to twelve weeks in length. An intensive is a shorter period, approximately three to four weeks. There are practice periods or intensives offered onsite and online each year at our City Center temple—Winter, Spring, and Fall. Participants can engage in a practice period or intensive in one of three ways: as a resident, as a commuter, and online. Participation in a residential practice period is a prerequisite for applying to become a resident.

How to Apply

Applications are available on the specific practice period or intensive page, which will also provide due dates and instructions for submitting your application. All residential applications must be accompanied by a non-refundable $30 application fee.

If you have any questions about the application process, please email the City Center Director at ccdirector@sfzc.org.

Pure Standards for Residential Zen Training

Sample Practice Period Schedule
 

Upcoming Practice Periods and Intensives