Mountains and Waters Community (Sangha)

The Penticton Zen Centre opened its doors in 2008 with the support of Sister Elaine MacInnes Roshi from Toronto, who received the Order of Canada for her work teaching meditation to prisoners in the Philippines.

Our first teacher was Nenates Albert Roshi, also from the Toronto Zendo, and since then the community has been supported by the instruction of Brian Chisholm Roshi, another Canadian who came to the Zen practice while a university student in Toronto

What We Do

Meditation

Our primary focus is on simply practicing sitting meditation (zazen) in accordance with the Japanese practice where Sanbō stands for the Three Treasurers of the Buddha-Way: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha (community).

Koans

As students progress with the discipline, they have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a teacher discussing ancient koans – phrases that have been used for centuries to guide the student into a deeper and richer experience of present reality.

Open To All

We consciously take the standpoint that Zen is not a religion. You can practice zazen with us regardless of your religious affiliations or without any such convictions – although we are sure that zazen practice will deepen, widen and sometimes revolutionize your daily experience.

If you want to simply meditate, you are welcome. If you want to explore Zen, you are welcome. Our doors are open to all.

For more about Zen and religion, see this article by our Abbot, Yamada Ryoun Roshi – Is Zen a Religion?

“If you continue this simple practice every day, you will obtain some wonderful power. Before you attain it, it is something wonderful, but after you attain it, it is nothing special.”

Shunryu Suzuki

~ Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind