Puget Sound Zen Center
on Vashon Island
Founded in 2003 by Abbot Koshin Christopher Cain, the Puget Sound Zen Center on Vashon Island is the heart of our practice community. From its humble beginnings above an orthodontist’s office to the dedication of our current temple in 2022, the Zen Center has grown through the steady commitment of our Sangha. Nestled on 2.5 peaceful acres, our temple offers a place for meditation, community, and spiritual connection. Here, Zen practice continues to flourish—rooted in tradition, supported by community, and open to all.
A Quiet Place for Practice on Vashon Island
The Puget Sound Zen Center is dedicated to fostering Buddhist wisdom and compassion through the practice and study of Rinzai Zen Buddhism.
From its location in the Salish Sea region of western North America, the Puget Sound Zen Center home temple provides a quiet space in a noisy world where the diverse and inclusive Sangha and the wider community will gather and practice for years to come.
The Zendo
18005 Vashon Highway SW
Vashon, WA 98070
A Brief History of Puget Sound Zen Center
The Puget Sound Zen Center was founded in 2003 on Vashon Island by our Abbott, Koshin Christopher Cain. It initially 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.
January 2020 brought the opening of our branch in West Seattle, at the Fauntleroy Church.
Sunday, September 20, 2020, our Zendo had its first ordination of lay leaders by our Abbot Koshin Christopher Cain: Shuko Sissel Johannessen and Anshin David Steel.
On August 22, 2021, two additional lay leaders were ordained by Abbot Koshin Christopher Cain: Seizan Stephen Black and Myoshin Elizabeth Fitterer. This ceremony was also the final goodbye to the 7-acre parcel of land that the Sangha had stewarded. The land was subsequently sold and the proceeds were used for a downpayment on a property with existing structures that would become our new Zendo.
In the autumn of 2021, a property of 2.5 acres was purchased by the Sangha that had previously been the location of Island Funeral Services at 18005 Vashon Highway SW, Vashon, WA 98070. During the autumn and winter of 2021 and well into 2022, many improvements were made to the existing buildings on the property. Our new Zen temple was formally dedicated on August 20, 2022.
After a long-time association with our Abbot, Koshin Cain, Eko Jeff Kelly was welcomed as an associate teacher in 2022.
With sadness, we lost a beloved teacher, Genko Kathy Blackman, on December 9, 2022. Her spirit lives on within us as we try to match her footsteps. You are missed, dear one.
2023, the work continues: We have a bamboo fence that is beautiful in its simplicity. A meadow that quiets the soul and a kinhin walking path through the woods that lifts our spirits, while calming the mind.
Jim Chiko Hunziker became our first chaplain in 2024, having graduated from the Upaya Zen Center’s Chaplaincy program.
A Brief History of Puget Sound Zen Center
The Puget Sound Zen Center was founded in 2003 on Vashon Island by our Abbott, Koshin Christopher Cain. It initially 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.
January 2020 brought the opening of our branch in West Seattle, at the Fauntleroy Church.
Sunday, September 20, 2020, our Zendo had its first ordination of lay leaders by our Abbot Koshin Christopher Cain: Shuko Sissel Johannessen and Anshin David Steel.
On August 22, 2021, two additional lay leaders were ordained by Abbot Koshin Christopher Cain: Seizan Stephen Black and Myoshin Elizabeth Fitterer. This ceremony was also the final goodbye to the 7-acre parcel of land that the Sangha had stewarded. The land was subsequently sold and the proceeds were used for a downpayment on a property with existing structures that would become our new Zendo.
In the autumn of 2021, a property of 2.5 acres was purchased by the Sangha that had previously been the location of Island Funeral Services at 18005 Vashon Highway SW, Vashon, WA 98070. During the autumn and winter of 2021 and well into 2022, many improvements were made to the existing buildings on the property. Our new Zen temple was formally dedicated on August 20, 2022.
After a long-time association with our Abbot, Koshin Cain, Eko Jeff Kelly was welcomed as an associate teacher in 2022.
With sadness, we lost a beloved teacher, Genko Kathy Blackman, on December 9, 2022. Her spirit lives on within us as we try to match her footsteps. You are missed, dear one.
2023, the work continues: We have a bamboo fence that is beautiful in its simplicity. A meadow that quiets the soul and a kinhin walking path through the woods that lifts our spirits, while calming the mind.
Jim Chiko Hunziker became our first chaplain in 2024, having graduated from the Upaya Zen Center’s Chaplaincy program.
Getting Started: What to Wear, How to Sit, and Zendo Etiquette
How do I know what to do?
Before you enter the zendo, take off your coat and hat, remove your shoes and turn off your phone.
As you enter the room, bow once from the waist, with palms together.
Choose a seat. Cushions and a few chairs will be set up. You can select an additional cushion, or a bench to use instead, as you walk to your seat.
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 in silence until the opening ritual gets us started.
Help! I’m not sure I can sit on the floor and meditate.
What should I wear?
How do I know what to do?
Before you enter the zendo, take off your coat and hat, remove your shoes and turn off your phone.
As you enter the room, bow once from the waist, with palms together.
Choose a seat. Cushions and a few chairs will be set up. You can select an additional cushion, or a bench to use instead, as you walk to your seat.
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 in silence until 7 pm, when the opening ritual gets us started.
Help! I’m not sure I can sit on the floor and meditate.
What should I wear?
What should I wear?
How do I know what to do?
Before you enter the zendo, take off your coat and hat, remove your shoes and turn off your phone.
As you enter the room, bow once from the waist, with palms together.
Choose a seat. Cushions and a few chairs will be set up. You can select an additional cushion, or a bench to use instead, as you walk to your seat.
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 in silence until 7 pm, when the opening ritual gets us started.
Help! I’m not sure I can sit on the floor and meditate.
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.
