Tour of the Zendo
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Front view of the Zendo (meditation hall) on the corner of 25th and Madison.

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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. Click for larger picture

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. Click for larger view

Click for larger picture Another view of the main altar, showing Kanzeon and Fudo side altars

Click for larger picture Altar Close-up, with Manjusri enshrined (with panneling still in place).

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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. Click here for a larger view

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. Click for larger picture

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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.


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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. Click for larger picture

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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. Click for larger picture

Precepts Ceremony during Jukai, led by Gyokuko Click for larger picture


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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. Click for larger picture

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


Click for larger picture Lecture room - site of Wednesday evening classes.

Click for larger picture Celebration in the tea room just east of the lecture room.