In October of 2003, San Antonio Zen arose out of a wish to share the Dharma and sitting practice in the Soto traditions of Shunryu Suzuki. This wish was realized with the guidance and example of the teachers and students of the Austin Zen Center. We also have cultivated and cherished ties with the Houston Zen Center and the San Francisco Zen Center.

We aspire to benefit all beings (including ourselves) in each moment, unconditionally, with awareness, energy, lovingkindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity, relaxing with what is, to realize awakening. Do not imagine that you must develop all of these qualities before you come sit with us. It is called “sitting practice,” not “sitting perfection.”

Beginner’s MeditATIon InSTRucTion

This class is offered for people who want to learn Zen meditation and get to know the San Antonio Zen Center.
This class is typically the first Saturday of every month. It is taught by one of our senior members and lasts approximately 2 hours.

Please sign up by using the sign-up sheet in the foyer, by calling 210-257-8383, or by emailing info@sanantoniozen.org

Full Moon Ceremony

The Ryaku Fusatsu, or Bodhisattva Ceremony, honors the Buddhas and Ancestors at (or close to) the full moon for a ritual of confession, taking refuge, and committing to the precepts. It is an age-old tradition with roots in Shakyamuni Buddha's sangha's forest practice. It emphasizes letting go and beginning again, keeping our zen practice vital and full of heart. Watch the calendar for dates when we will offer this practice.

Half Day Sitting

This is a mini-retreat geared toward new meditators and people who want to sit for a longer period of time without attending a full retreat. The morning consists of 30-minute meditation periods alternating with walking meditation. We’ll have time for tea and dialogue. SAZC aims to offer these every other month.

See Calendar for dates offered.

STUDY GROUP: Koan Salon

Tuesdays, beginning April 15, 6:45 - 8:00 pm Study of great Zen classics, the enlightenment stories and how they relate to our practice. Koans can be offered in multiple ways. They can be healing stories, conversations, poems, fragments of song. Technically, koan is a Japanese term that refers to a legal public case. In Zen, koans are designed to give us pause, to enter deeply our own “case”, revealing how we look at the world. We will sit with a case, write, reflect, converse, dream and enter the world of our ancestors near and far. No experience necessary and all are welcome. Drop-ins okay too :) 

See our Programs page and Calendar for more information.

Meditation and Recovery

Join us Friday evenings at 7 pm for a 20-minute meditation followed by a 12-step style discussion of how Buddhism relates to the principles of recovery. This meeting is for those members of other 12-step groups (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, etc.) who want to learn more about how these principles could be applied in light of Buddhist teachings.
Email zen12stepmeeting@gmail.com for more information.

Buddha's Birthday Celebration

Saturday, NOW: April 19, 9:30 am - 11:00 am. Join us as we decorate our brand-new flower arbor and pay homage to the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha. When the arbor is ready, we will have a short talk and an offering ceremony followed by the ritual bathing of the baby Buddha with sweet tea. Following the ceremony we can enjoy birthday cake together! Please bring a bouquet or two of flowers to join in the decorating (from your garden or the store). Sturdy stems work best!