Zen Buddhism comes in many flavors here in the spiritual marketplace of modernity. All flavors have their merits. All emphasize meditation. And yet some draw more (or less) from the broader and deeper traditions of Zen to include (quoting from John Daido Loori's Eight Gates of Zen): 

​1. Zazen, a type of meditation described as “sitting Zen” 2. Face-to-face meetings between teacher and student 3. Academic study of the sutras related to Zen training, other schools of Buddhism, Buddhist history, psychology, and philosophy 4. Zen rites and rituals and their meaning 5. The moral and ethical requirements set in the Buddhist Precepts 6. Art practice as an extension of Zen practice 7. Body practice as an extension of Zen practice 8. Work as an active function of zazen.

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Acknowledging that some people are uncomfortable or repelled by ritual forms, such as bowing and chanting, Sunflower Zen Sangha alternates weekly practice sessions to offer both Traditional Zen Buddhist practice and Secular practice meetings. Traditional meetings include the ritual forms of the Diamond Sangha; Secular meetings forgo all ritual elements other than a bell to start and end meditation. Everyone is welcome to attend all or part of each meeting.​

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Sangha, the community of practice is important, so important that is is revered throughout all Buddhist history and geography as one of the "Three Treasures," along with and equal to Buddha and Dharma. If you are fortunate enough to live in proximity to a Zen Sangha meeting in person, I encourage you to investigate--meet the people and the teacher(s), experience how the context of Sangha meets you in your practice. 

Charlie Laurel, Associate Zen Teacher in the Diamond Sangha, offers practice guidance online on a limited schedule. For more information go to the Orientation page.  Charlie does not charge any fees for teaching; small donations are accepted to help keep this website up. 

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