Dharma Rain Zen Center - Membership
Membership
We
would like to invite you to consider membership in the Dharma Rain Zen Center.
Membership represents commitment to the Sangha and the Buddhist training
that the Sangha embodies. Membership is required to vote for the members
of Board of Directors and on any other issues that come up for a vote. Some
classes and events are only open to members. In addition to Full
Member, there are five
categories of membership, based on amount contributed each year.
DRZC is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
Join
Now!

Full Member
A Full Member:
- has been pledging at any of the specified levels for
one year, and
- has done Lay Ordination, and
- attends Zen Center functions regularly.
Some Zen Center offices and events are restricted to Full Members.
Membership Categories
Benefactor
A Benefactor is a member pledging $100 per month or more.
Privileges are the same as for Supporting Members and Sustaining Members.
Benefactors are investing in the long term development of Dharma Rain Zen Center.
This development will improve on the resources we already have, and ensure their
continued availability to the growing number of people seeking the Dharma in the greater Portland area.

Sustaining Member
A Sustaining Member pledges $75-$99 per month.
Privileges are the same as for Supporting Members, with the extra money given
helping the Center keep the fees for retreats and other events low,
and to continue providing classes and workshops free of charge to the general community.

Supporting Member
A Supporting Member pledges $50-$74 per month. This is
the basic level
of Center membership, in that contributions at this level are enough to keep
the facilities open and to help support the priests and other essential
staff. Privileges include member access to the library, and more substantial
discounts on fee events and some bookshop items.

Center Friend
A Center Friend pledges $30-$49 per month.
Pledges at this level help cover our basic expenses such as mortgage,
utilities, mailing costs and general supplies. Privileges include
member access to the library
and discounts on fee events and some bookshop items.

Associate Member
An Associate Member pledges $10-$29 per month or a lump
sum of $100 for one year. This category is primarily for students and others
with
limited income, but is also for those who may be less involved,
yet wish to make a contribution to the Center. Privileges include member access
to the library.

The Zen
Center offers one-on-one assistance in the form of Practice Advisors to all
members, whether new to Zen practice or just new to Dharma Rain. Practice
Advisors are Lay Disciples who can either meet with you or chat over the
phone or
by e-mail
to answer
your
questions.
They
can
help
you find your way into the community or answer questions about terminology
or explain who’s who at Dharma Rain. They are ready to answer basic
practice questions about sitting practice and retreat forms, and are ready
to discuss
lots of the other questions and concerns that come up in practice. Deeper
matters or personal concerns they will refer to the priests, but
working with a Practice Advisor is a great way to get more comfortable with
life at the Zen Center. If interested, contact the Center, and we
will connect you with the practice advisor coordinator.

Lay Ordination
Lay Ordination is a ceremony in which one formally takes the Precepts and becomes a Buddhist.
Lay Ordination is not required for membership in the Zen Center, nor
is membership required to receive the Precepts and
become a Buddhist. The Center holds the Precept
ceremony once each year at Jukai. If you are interested in becoming a Buddhist,
contact the Center.
If you would like to become a member of the Zen Center, click here.

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