Curious About Zen?
Join Us This Summer!
April 8 – September 22
Apply to be a Summer 2025 Student here:
Tassajara Summer Student Application
Summer practice at Tassajara offers the opportunity to live in an intentional spiritual community nestled in a mountain valley in California's Ventana Wilderness. During the summer, students engage in work practice to care for each other, the guests, and the beautiful gardens. The days begin and end with seated meditation and Zen chanting and bowing, creating a gentle introduction to Zen training and fostering a culture of connection.
Students are welcome to stay for as long as the whole summer and as short as two weeks. There is no charge to participate in the summer program.
- Work practice is an integral part of Zen practice where students bring mindful attention to daily tasks, often working in crews with other students
- Students engage in mindful work practice to help care for the community in the kitchen, garden, shop, bookstore, and dining room
- Please indicate on your application if you have prior kitchen experience or trade skills!
- Weekly talks by Zen teachers
- Ability to participate in yoga, Zen, and writing retreats
- Classes on Zen and Buddhism
- Opportunity to interact with visiting guests and Zen practitioners from around the world
- All vegetarian meals and housing provided
- Spring-fed swimming pool
- Japanese-style hot springs
- Swimming holes along the creek
- Extensive Buddhist library
- Yoga space
- Vast hiking trails
- Body work when available
- All students follow the same schedule and eat together, which fosters unity and a shared experience
- Student-only events include classes, community meetings, small groups, skit night
- Make new friends and experience the intimacy of spiritual community
- 1:1 meetings with Zen teachers to discuss meditation and work practice
- Optional half-day sittings
- Daily morning and evening meditation
- Learn Zen forms including meditation posture, daily chanting, and playing ceremonial instruments
- Students who stay for either three or five continuous months earn credits to participate in future practice periods (intensive Zen retreats) at City Center, Green Gulch, or Tassajara
- Students who stay for three to five months also receive a small stipend
Nadav
Summer 2024 Student
(One month)
"Tassajara has opened the door for me to Buddhism. In a polarized world...meditation helps me stay centered and true to my values."
Gerry
Summer 2024 Student
(Three months)
"Tassajara was the gift I didn’t know I needed. This is a safe space where people can be their authentic selves."
Sarah
(One-year student)
"I love living so closely with the elements here—it makes us human. Practicing with the land has also supported my practice in the zendo."
Follow us on Instagram at @tassajaratales to get a peek into student residential life.
Apply to be a Summer 2025 StudentStudents new to San Francisco Zen Center are required to submit at least one letter of recommendation from a Zen teacher or from someone who knows the student and Tassajara work practice well. SFZC welcomes international visitors in the US on B visas to participate in our offerings, workshops, and retreats. We also welcome international students to participate in our Apprenticeship Program through an M-1 visa. For more details about visas, click here.
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