Dharma Talk w/ Rev. Choro Aug 15
Please join us for a dharma talk w/ AZC’s Guiding Teacher. All are welcome, even if you aren’t sitting retreat this day.
Welcome to the Austin Zen Center
Austin Zen Center is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple that offers meditation, dharma talks, ceremonies, classes, workshops, and more. All are warmly invited to participate in person at our north-central Austin location.
Online participation is also offered for many of our programs. [ 👩🏽💻 Join Live Practice ]
At AZC, all people of every race, religion, nationality, class, gender, sexual orientation, age, and physical ability are welcome to practice with the community. May all beings realize their true nature.
ZenkeiJi: a 25 year journey
Arriving at Zenkei-Ji feels like coming home
Oryoki at Zenkei-Ji was simply beautiful. Not just because of the meaningful form and presence it brings to that moment, but because I felt enveloped in loving kindness by the sangha members who served and cleaned, and by the patient and gentle guidance of the more experienced members sitting by my side.
I’ve always loved the Full Moon Ceremony because it feels like such a powerful invocation of our practice. Stating a vow out loud and in sangha makes it real in a way that just reading words on a page cannot do. The call and response of the 16 bodhisattva precepts inspires me and deepens my commitment to practice.
Compassion.
Calm.
Community.
2026 is the 25th anniversary of Austin Zen Center at Zenkei-ji temple, our home on Washington Square. Please help us celebrate this auspicious occasion, whether you are a long-time member of the sangha or have recently joined.
Every two weeks, we will provide a new question or prompt to get you thinking about what AZC and the temple mean to you.
This weeks prompt is:
How has sitting together in silence shaped the way you relate to other members of the sangha?
Upcoming
Upcoming Dharma Talk w/ Pat Yingst Aug 22
Please join us on the 22nd for a dharma talk with AZC’s Lay Entrusted Teacher.
Zazen Instruction for Beginners (Evening Option) Aug 25
This class is for anyone who is new to Zen. We will offer basic meditation instruction and a general orientation to the center.
We acknowledge that we practice on Indigenous land. We acknowledge and pay respects to the Carrizo & Comecrudo, Coahuiltecan, Caddo, Tonkawa, Comanche, Lipan Apache, Alabama-Coushatta, Kickapoo, Tigua Pueblo, and all the American Indian and Indigenous Peoples and communities who have been or have become a part of these lands and territories in Texas.
Affiliate Groups and Gatherings
Beginner’s Instruction
We welcome you to familiarize yourself with the Austin Zen Center and our core practice by attending the Beginner’s Class held on Saturdays at 8am.
Circle of Men
This group is led by Zen practitioners with experience in group facilitation and men’s group participation. Please join us.
Dharma Discussion Group
This peer led book group meets weekly online to promote engaged practice and Dharma discussion.
Sundays in the Garden
All are welcome to join us in the opportunity to engage in (mostly) silent work-practice in the beautiful Austin Zen Center garden.
Join the AZC Chat Room (on Discord)
Austin Zen Center has a live chat server for Sangha members and those interested in AZC!
Sponsored Programs Hosted at AZC
In addition to its programs, the Austin Zen Center has offered their facilities to two independent programs. You can find more information about them here.