Emergency Fund

San Francisco Zen Center
City Center, Green Gulch Farm and Tassajara

 

Dear Friend of San Francisco Zen Center,

This time of uncertainty and change has brought forth unmeasurable loss as well as heartwarming demonstrations of great Bodhisattva activity. We hope that you are finding comfort and support in Buddha's teachings, in your own personal practice, and in connecting with dear Dharma friends.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

While the 160 residents of our temples are safe, the temporary closure of our three practice centers to the public, the delaying of the Tassajara summer guest season, and the temporary closure of Greens Restaurant have resulted in significant loss of income. We are forecasting a million-dollar shortfall over several months. This unforeseen deficit hinders our ability to take care of our community, our facilities, and our mission of expressing, making accessible, and embodying the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha. We are in need of your financial support to maintain our mission during this time of crisis.

PLEASE GIVE!

How your help supports the wider community: Like Kuan Yin -- the Bodhisattva of Compassion with multiple arms ready to help those who are suffering -- our hearts and energy have been in service of the health and well-being of our residential sangha and the wider community of home practitioners, friends, and supporters. In a few short weeks we have:

  • Expanded our online zendo to two morning periods as well as evening and Saturday sessions, often welcoming over 150 sitters in each session.
  • Streamed online ceremonies such as Buddha’s Birthday, Earth Day and weekly Well-Being ceremonies.
  • Transitioned all of our dharma talks to Zoom, including adding live Green Gulch Farm and Tassajara talks, which have had up to 375 viewers.
  • Added two weekly interactive evening practice sessions with Abbot David Zimmerman via Zoom.
  • Met with hundreds of students for online practice discussion and dokusan every week.
  • Created online rooms for our Affinity Groups such as Queer Dharma and Zen en Español.
  • Reimagined many of our retreats and workshops to fit an online format. Transformed one-day sittings and even a three-day sesshin onto Zoom.
  • Continued outreach efforts such as a weekly conference call meditation with Lighthouse for the Blind, and sewing face masks for Clara House, a local family shelter.

PLEASE CONSIDER AN URGENT GIFT TO OUR EMERGENCY FUND!

Through the generosity of sangha members, every dollar you give will be matched (up to $500,000) in order to meet the crucial $1,000,000 goal. Whatever the size of your donation, we are deeply grateful.

Everything changes, and we are looking forward to the day we will once again be able to safely share our practice together by meeting each other, warm hand to warm hand, in our meditation halls, rooms, paths and hallways.

As Abbot David Zimmerman expressed: “While the temple doors may be closed, the Dharma always remains open.” Please help us to keep this intention alive for all beings. May we all be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.

PLEASE GIVE NOW!

Sustain practice. Sustain compassion. Sustain connection.

With gratitude and love,

Rinso Ed Sattizahn
Central Abbot

Furyu Nancy Schroeder
Abiding Abbess, Green Gulch Farm

Tenzen David Zimmerman
Abiding Abbot, City Center

Leslie James
Abiding Teacher, Tassajara

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