Welcome to the new website of the Mountain Rain Zen Community.
The Mountain Rain Zen Community is a cooperative and independent community of Zen students who practice together in the tradition of Shunryu Suzuki-roshi, and draw upon other Buddhist traditions, as well. Our guiding teacher is Zoketsu Norman Fischer, former abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center and founder of the Everyday Zen Foundation. Established in April, 2002, MRZC had been a part of Karuna Meditation Society for the previous fifteen years. Our purpose is to share the teachings and practices of the Buddha Dharma.
Community
One of the aims of MRZC is to create an active community in our geographical area, a group of people who know one another and support each other in their practice and in their lives. Our community is self-governing; our council coordinates the work of various committees, and major decisions are made by the membership as a whole. All the work related to the community’s activities is done by volunteers. Activities are financed through the fees charged for retreats and from donations by members and others. Visiting teachers are supported through dana, or voluntary donations.
Activities
We invite you to join us in our many activities, which include:
- Regular weekly sittings
- Day retreats Classes and study groups
- Zen arts program
- Community meetings and potlucks
- Non-residential weekend retreats
- Special theme workshops
- Residential retreats (sesshin)
Mountain Rain Zendo
Our zendo (meditation hall) is located at:
6183 Fraser Street
Vancouver, B.C.
The zendo is on the NW corner of Fraser and 46th Avenue, above the Subway. The entrance is located just around the corner on 46th, at the top of the wooden stairs. Our doorway is the third one, at the end of the porch.
Contacts for Further Information:
Kate and Michael at (604)462-0604 or Martha at (604)873-3008.
Membership
Membership is open to anyone who wishes to practice with and support the Mountain Rain Zen Community. Your support is expressed through participation in MRZC activities and through dana (generosity) in the form of financial support and volunteer contributions. Donations may be made on a yearly or monthly basis. We particularly appreciate monthly pledges, which help with the ongoing expenses of maintaining the zendo and putting on retreats. Members are eligible to receive discounts on retreat fees, use the tape and book library, and receive scholarships to attend retreats.