Sangha Week at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center
Zenshinji (Zen Heart-Mind Temple)

June 9 - 14, 2026

An opportunity to practice together with Chris and the Dharma Heart Zen sangha at San Francisco Zen Center's Tassajara Zen Monastery in the Ventana Wilderness.

The wilderness monastery, dedicated to San Francisco Zen Center's mission "to embody, express and make accessible the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha” opens its doors each summer to affiliated sanghas and guests. Immersing ourselves in the rhythms of the temple’s work and practice life, the sound of the bells and the flowing creek, the healing waters of hot springs, and walking the winding paths under the vast night sky is a transformative experience.

We have been offered 15 spaces, so don’t delay in letting us know of your interest by filling out the preregistration form below.

We will send the San Francisco Zen Center reservation link to those who submit the preregistration form until the spaces are filled, then we’ll start a waiting list. The reservation link will become active February 17.

Sangha Week cost for a single room and meals is $190 per day, for a shared room $130 per person per day.

Tassajara Sangha Week Summer Schedule

Tuesday (Arrival Day)

12:00 pm Lunch

4:00 Zendo Orientation (meet at west Zendo steps)
5:50 Evening Service
4:15-5:30 Resident Student Bathing
6:00 Dinner Note: All meals are vegetarian
6:30 Evening dishes
8:00 Zazen
8:40 Refuges
9:30 Firewatch

Wednesday through Saturday

5:00 am Informal Zazen (optional)
5:30 Wake-up Bell

6:00 Zazen (with 5-minite interval)
7:00 Morning Service
7:25 Soji, temple cleaning
7:45 Breakfast
8:45 Work Meeting
12:10 pm End Work
12:15 Lunch
2:00 or 4:00 Study time with Chris and the DHZ sangha, 1½ hours

There will be ample free time every afternoon to rest, bathe in the hot springs, explore the valley.

4:15-5:30 Resident student Bathing (silent)
5:00 Informal Zazen (optional)
5:50 Evening Service
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Informal Zazen (optional)
8:00 Zazen
8:40 Refuges
9:30 Firewatch

Sunday (Departure Day)

5:00 am Informal Zazen (optional)

5:30 Wake-up Bell
6:00 Morning Zazen
7:00 Morning Service
7:30 Breakfast and Bag Lunch
8:30 Work Circle
11:45 Meet at Work Circle to Depart
12:00 pm Stages Out

DHZ Sanga Week Preregistration Form

Tassajara is nestled in a mountain valley located in a remote part of California’s Ventana Wilderness, inland from the Big Sur coast. It is one of three Soto Zen practice communities that comprise San Francisco Zen Center. Tassajara, also referred to by its monastery name of Zenshinji (Zen Heart-Mind Temple), is dedicated to San Francisco Zen Center’s mission, which is “to embody, express, and make accessible the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha.”

Surrounded by inspiring mountain vistas, Tassajara encourages a more spacious and present way of being. The hot springs melt away the stress and dust of daily living. Carefully prepared food nourishes body and spirit. The air and the skies are crystal clear, and the stars shine brightly at night. Away from the distractions and demands of daily life, supported by the sounds of the creek and the breeze in the sycamores, the opportunity to deeply relax and connect with the natural world is readily at hand.