Returning to the marketplace

with gift bestowing hands.

Great Spirit Sangha members are committed to the practice of being monks in the marketplace.  

Our form of practice is firmly rooted in the Suzuki Roshi lineage of Soto Zen Buddhism, in the dharma of our immediate ancestor, Darlene Cohen (Su Rei Ken Po, Great Spirit Manifesting Dharma).

While thoroughly following traditional forms of Soto Zen practice, such as zazen, practice periods and sesshin, our broader, daily expression of monasticism means a complete commitment to the transformative journey of skillfully, fully expressing buddha nature ~ our true, innate upright nature.  

Our lives are "dedicated to...living out these values while fully engaged in the world."*         

Through our practice we live out this commitment — "to be embedded in the world, with the hardship of financial realities, the ups and downs of political unrest, the blessings and difficulties of relationships — all in the midst of a contemporary society that does not support such a calling." 

Rather than physically removing ourselves from the world, our intention is to transform it, and ourselves, while fully present in it.

Great Spirit Sangha meets regularly, has small study groups and offers practice periods and sittings throughout the year.                          Contact Cynthia for more information.

* (New Monasticism, McAntee & Bucko)

Land Acknowledgement

Great Spirit Sangha acknowledges that the Ramaytush Ohlone are the original peoples of the San Francisco Peninsula; and that the area comprising the City and County of San Francisco was originally inhabited by the Yelamu, an independent tribe of the Ramaytush Ohlone peoples.