New to Zen?
Welcome to the Puget Sound Zen Center! Whether you’re completely new to Zen or just new to our community, we’re glad you’re here.
The Puget Sound Zen Center is dedicated to fostering Buddhist wisdom and compassion through the practice and study of Rinzai Zen Buddhism.
What is Zen?
Zen is a tradition of Buddhism that emphasizes direct experience through meditation, mindfulness, and daily practice. It is not about beliefs or dogma but about awakening to life as it is. Through sitting meditation (zazen), chanting, and studying teachings, we cultivate awareness, compassion, and wisdom.
A Welcoming Community: What to Expect at Puget Sound Zen Center
The Puget Sound Zen Center is a supportive and inclusive space for anyone interested in Zen, regardless of background or experience. Whether you’re just curious or ready to dive in, you are welcome here.
How do I know what to do?
Wear clothing that you can comfortably sit in. Some members wear jeans, some yoga pants, some robes.
If possible, wear slip-on shoes to make it easier to slip in and out of your shoes for outdoor walking meditation.
When entering the Zendo, please remove your hat, hang up your coat and remove your shoes.
It’s best to leave backpacks/purses and other large items in your locked vehicle, if possible.
We all forget, so a gentle reminder: Please take a mindfulness break from your cell phone and turn it off while at the Zendo. Leaving it in vibrate mode only may disturb your meditation and those seated around you. We thank you for your thoughtfulness!
Follow along with those around you. Do not worry if you make a mistake, we all do.
A Welcoming Community: What to Expect at Puget Sound Zen Center
The Puget Sound Zen Center is a supportive and inclusive space for anyone interested in Zen, regardless of background or experience. Whether you’re just curious or ready to dive in, you are welcome here.
How do I know what to do?
Wear clothing that you can comfortably sit in. Some members wear jeans, some yoga pants, some robes.
If possible, wear slip-on shoes to make it easier to slip in and out of your shoes for outdoor walking meditation.
When entering the Zendo, please remove your hat, hang up your coat and remove your shoes.
It’s best to leave backpacks/purses and other large items in your locked vehicle, if possible.
We all forget, so a gentle reminder: Please take a mindfulness break from your cell phone and turn it off while at the Zendo. Leaving it in vibrate mode only may disturb your meditation and those seated around you. We thank you for your thoughtfulness!
Follow along with those around you. Do not worry if you make a mistake, we all do.
FAQs for Newcomers
No. Many people practice Zen without identifying as Buddhist. The focus is on mindfulness, meditation, and self-awareness.
Everyone is welcome, whether you’re new to Zen or a longtime practitioner.
We embrace people from all meditation and spiritual traditions, as well as those who have never meditated but are curious to learn.
Stop by and see what we’re about!
Participation in rituals is optional. Feel free to observe until you feel comfortable.
There is tea, chanting, 20-25 minute periods of silent meditation, and walking meditation. Our Sunday morning services include a dharma talk.
Most Sunday mornings there are about 20-25 adults.
Monday through Friday mornings, early Sunday mornings, and Monday nights are a smaller crowd-up to half a dozen people.
No, we provide meditation cushions (zafus) and chairs. Just bring an open mind.
Absolutely. If you come visit us, you can choose to sit on a cushion on the floor (you can use multiple cushions in whatever comfortable configuration works for you), or you can choose a chair, a stool, or a kneeling bench.
The Puget Sound Zen Center was founded in 2003. It started above an orthodontist’s office in the IGA parking lot, then was at the Mann Studio near KVI beach for several years. In 2015 the Zen Center moved to the Havurah Ee Shalom Building. In 2021, we purchased a building that had previously been the location of Island Funeral Services at 18005 Vashon Highway SW, Vashon, WA 98070.
What happens during a “sit” (meditation)?
Entering the Zendo
As you enter the room, bow once from the waist, with palms together. Choose a seat, and prior to sitting, turn and bow, from the waist, towards the opposite side of the room, with palms together. Sit quietly in a position that is relaxed and yet alert. Sit on a cushion, chair or bench, whichever is most comfortable for you. Extra chairs and cushions are available, if needed.
Compassion Cards
As you enter the meditation room on Vashon, there is a table on the right, with cards displayed. This is the Kuan Yin (Chinese)/Avalokiteshvara (Sanskrit), bodhisattva of compassion altar. If there is a being in your life (pets included) that is experiencing illness or difficulty we invite you to write their name on a card, date the back, and place it on the altar. If your dear one has passed, please note the date of death as well, if possible. Compassion cards are kept for three months on the altar. Cards noting the passing of a being will be kept an additional 49 days then those names are entered into a special book that is kept on the altar. No donation is required to place cards on the altar. There are plans to initiate a first Sunday of the month chant for beings whose names are placed on the Kuan Yin/Avalokiteshvara altar.
Tea Service (when offered)
Chanting
Chanting is in Sino-Japanese and English. It is accompanied by a drum and bell. Read along and join as best you can. Chanting gives us practice in breathing, and in acting without thought; it’s a form of group meditation, and it prepares us for silent meditation. The chant booklet is under the front of your cushion (usually the left side).
Bowing
There are three bows at the end of chanting to honor our internal Buddha nature, the Dharma (teachings) and the Sangha (community). Please bow in whatever way you are comfortable. Bowing can be from the waist, with palms together, or down on the floor. When we bow from the floor, we put our head on the floor and raise our palms above our heads- symbolically lifting our Buddha nature above our thinking mind.
Sitting Meditation – (Zazen)
There are two meditation periods, separated by walking meditation. The sits are generally 20-25 minutes long. Bells signal the beginning and end of each meditation period. During zazen, we strive to be as quiet as possible with as little movement as possible. Just be present and follow the breath. This is done to support not only our practice, but the practice of the other members of the Sangha.
Walking Meditation (Kinhin)
Depending on the weather, kinhin will be inside or outside. Follow the group. Keep in step with the person in front of you, if possible. Hold your hands, left over right, generally belly high.
This is also a really good time to use the restroom.
If you want to re-join the kinhin line after using the bathroom or other business, wait as the line passes, then bow and join the end of the line.
Dharma Talk
After the second sit, we make a large circle and either listen to a talk from a teacher, or read a short chapter from a book and discuss it. The Dharma talk and discussion period is generally a half hour.
Leaving the Zendo
As you leave the room, bow once from the waist with palms together.
Stay to Connect
Every Sunday at the Zendo on Vashon, there’s coffee and tea after the service, with a potluck lunch the first Sunday of the month.
Sangha Recommended Reading
Interested in what other Sangha members suggest for introductory reading materials?
Read all these or perhaps nothing speaks directly to you? You are in luck! Check out our extensive library at the Zendo on Vashon. It is a sight to behold and will keep you busy for years to come!
