In the Heart of the Castro at 57 Hartford Street near 18th Street for over 15 years.

All are welcome to our daily meditions and services. We are very friendly and accepting.

We offer free meditation instruction and have other fee and free classes.

We will not try to convert you because in Zen you must ask for information or assistance. The student must seek the teacher.

We will not ask for money, but there is a donation box in case you want to say thank you and/or help us pay the rent.

We do not worship the Buddha, the statue is just a reminder that we can be like Him because He was a human being who became enlightened, which ended His suffering and gave Him profound understanding, vision, compassion and love.

Please come and meditate with us to put a little (inner) peace in your life.

Zen honors all religions and their contributions to mankind. Zen is not a better way, Zen is simply another way to discover that enlightenment ends all suffering and is the doorway to peace, joy, abundance,and health.

Zenshin Philip Whalen died on June 26 at 5:50 am. Memorial click here

In the Dhammapada the Buddha says:

We are what we think.

All that we are arises with our thoughts.

With our thoughts we make the world.

Speak or act with an impure mind
And sorrow will follow you As the wheel follows the ox that draws the cart.

Speak or act with a pure mind. And happiness will follow you As your shadow, unshakable.

Your worst enemy cannot harm you As much as your own thoughts, nguarded.

But once mastered, No one can help you as much...*

*From Dhammapada: The sayings of the Buddha, translated by Thomas Byrom (New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1976)