Front view of the Zendo (meditation hall) on the corner of 25th and Madison.
View of the Zendo, looking southeast from across Madison street. The Center House is situated on the north side
of Madison about a half block east. The Zendo building was purchased in 1991.
Zendo Interior - The Zendo also serves as the Ceremony Hall, so seating for zazen is not fixed. The Zendo
is usually set up to seat about 50 people, but can accommodate 100 or more for special events.

For many years paneling behind the altar covered an old wall with stained glass windows in rather bad repair.
We recently finished the work of removing the paneling, repairing the windows and the stained glass. As this is
an east wall, the light is quite striking early in the day.

Another view of the main altar, showing Kanzeon and
Fudo side altars
Altar Close-up, with Manjusri enshrined (with panneling still in
place).
Manjusri Bodhisattva (Monju in Japanese) represents Wisdom, and sits on a lion throne. One interpretation has
it that the lion is the instinct of self-preservation natural to all living things. When Manjusri sits with full
attention on the lion of self, the lion becomes the throne of courage, serving wisdom faithfully.
The various photographs of the Zendo show the building at different times of year. There are altar cloths for
autumn (shown here), winter, spring, and summer.

The Founders' Shrine at the Zendo is dedicated to Houn Jiyu Kennett Roshi, Gyokuko's and
Kyogen's teacher, and to Keido Chisan Koho Zenji, Kennett Roshi's teacher. Also honored there is
Nyogen Senzaki Roshi, an early Zen pioneer, and Dharma Orphan, someone dear to the hearts of many.

Kanzeon side altar - (To the right of the main altar) Almost all Zen temples have a shrine dedicated
to Kanzeon (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva), who represents compassionate all-acceptance. She embodies grace, and the
willingness to respond to all who are in need.
Fudo side altar - On the other side of the main altar (opposite the Kanzeon altar) is Fudo. He represents
vigilance and steadfast determination. He is chained to a rock in hell, and vows to help all beings there. Kyogen
calls him the "Bodhisattva of tough-love."
Sakya Center Tibetan Shrine - The Zendo space is shared with other Buddhist groups, including Portland
Vipassana Sangha, Zen Community of Oregon, and Portland Sakya Center. The Sakya Center shrine
is to the right of the main alter in the Zendo.

Just to the right of the Sakya Center altar, on the south wall of the Zendo, is a case with Tibetan LamDre
texts, the Vajrayana teachings of the Sakya Sect.
Zendo Instruments - Chanting is accompanied with bells, gongs, and a wooden drum called a mokugyo,
seen here on the right side of the photograph.

Precepts Ceremony during Jukai, led by Gyokuko 
Sanzen room calligraphy - Sanzen, or dokusan, is a brief private interview with a priest,
usually done during zazen. It is a time to bring one's practice to a teacher to be seen, and to receive feedback.
Bodhidharma in the Sanzen room. Bodhidharma is the first Zen Dharma Ancestor. Bows are done to the lineage
before and after sanzen.

Bookshop - The Sanzen Room, Bookshop, Lecture Room, Tea Room, and kitchen are on the lower floor of the
Zendo building.

Lecture room - site of Wednesday evening classes.
Celebration in the tea room just east of the lecture room.