Cooking Your Life: Dogen's Tenzo Kyokun and the Practice of Work as the Way
This month-long practice intensive offers an opportunity for both new and experienced practitioners to study Eihei Dogen Zenji’s Tenzo Kyokun (Instructions to the Cook), a profound teaching on how everyday activities—especially those in the kitchen—embody the entirety of Zen practice. The Tenzo Kyokun challenges us to bring mindfulness, joy, and wholehearted attention to all that we do, cultivating the spirit of a bodhisattva in each action. In drawing connections between preparing meals in a Zen monastery and spiritual practice, Dogen illuminates a path that goes beyond kitchen rules and etiquette, teaching us how to "cook" or refine our lives.
The schedule includes morning and evening zazen, Saturday morning and Wednesday evening Dharma talks, and small group discussions. Additionally, there will be opportunities for both formal and informal meetings with teachers, and a Thursday evening class (called “The Heart of Work Practice: Dogen’s Instructions to the Cook”) at 7:30pm PT offered by Abbot Doshin Mako Voelkel.
This practice intensive includes a one-day sit on March 1 and concludes with a three-day sesshin March 27–29, offering a container for deepening our understanding of Dogen’s teachings and integrating them into our lives.
Participants may engage as either students-in-residence (application separate), or online/hybrid, where you can participate online or by visiting City Center. The one-day sit and the three-day sesshin are offered both online and on-site at City Center. The online versions are included as part of the online/hybrid intensive. If you would like to sit on-site at City Center, you will need to register separately.
Here is what this program includes:
- Four classes: February 27, March 6, March 13, and March 20, all at 7:30–8:45 pm PT
- Dharma talks on the intensive topic each Wednesday evening at 7:45 pm PT and each Saturday morning at 10:15 am PT
- An online one-day sitting on March 1 and a three-day online sitting March 27–29
- Online curriculum portal, weekly small group discussions, and morning and evening daily meditation
You're welcome to visit City Center for the classes, Dharma talks, and daily zazen.
All are welcome to join this dynamic exploration of practice and study.
This page is to register for online/hybrid participation. To apply for residency, please see [link forthcoming]. Please register by February 24, 2025.
Please review the Health and Safety Requirements.
- General: $550
- Current SFZC Members: $500
- Sliding Scale 1: $330
- Sliding Scale 1: $140
Please register by February 24, 2025.
Or call 415-354-0360.