Founding Teacher
Empty Gate Zen Center was founded in 1977 by Zen Master Seung Sahn, the great Korean Zen Master who first came to the U.S. in 1972. During his 32 years of teaching in the West, he founded the Kwan Um School of Zen, an international group of over 100 Temples, Zen Centers and groups around the world. Zen Master Seung Sahn was the 78th patriarch in his line of transmission in the Chogye order of Korean buddhism. His books include Only Don't Know, Dropping Ashes on the Buddha, The Compass of Zen, and The Whole World is a Single Flower - 365 Kong-ans for Everyday Life. Zen Master Seung Sahn died peacefully on November 30, 2004 at Hwa Gye Sah Temple in Seoul, Korea, surrounded by his students. He was 77. For a more detailed biography, please click here.
Guiding Teacher
Since 1992, Empty Gate Zen Center has been led by Guiding Teacher Jeff Kitzes (Zen Master Bon Soeng). Jeff began practicing Zen in 1975, and began practicing with Zen Master Seung Sahn in 1979. In December of 1992, Jeff received inka, authorization to teach kong-ans (koans). In 2001, he received dharma transmission from Zen Master Seung Sahn and was given the name Bon Soeng which means “Original Nature.” Jeff is also a licensed psychotherapist in private practice, specializing in the integration of Zen Buddhism and Western Psychotherapy.
History of Empty Gate
In 1977 Dr. Ezra Clark met Zen Master Seung Sahn at a 7 day meditation retreat in Esalen, California. After the retreat, Ezra introduced his wife, Diana, to Zen Master Seung Sahn. These meetings led Diana and Ezra to begin Empty Gate Zen Center.
In 1978 a large house was purchased on Arch Street in Berkeley and Empty Gate Zen Center became a public, residential Zen Center. In 1979 Jeff Kitzes, our current Guiding Teacher, came for a 7 day meditation retreat with Zen Master Seung Sahn. After the retreat, Jeff moved into Empty Gate and remained in residence for almost 6 years.
In 1997, we moved into our present location at 2200 Parker Street in Berkeley. We are now a non-residential Zen Center with the continued purpose of providing formal Zen practice to a diverse group of practitioners.
Practice
Our practice forms are based on the traditions of Korean Son (Zen) practice. In the mornings we include 108 prostrations, a Korean tradition, which is both energetic and meditative. Our chanting has a unique character, using sounds and melodies from the Sino-Korean tradition. Our formal Zen sitting style will be familiar to anyone who has learned Zen or Vipassana meditation in most forms. We recognize the importance of posture and allow numerous sitting styles, including traditional floor styles, bench or chair sitting, and, if necessary due to medical condition, lying down meditation.
Our practice also includes Kong-An (Koan) training. We use the traditional kong-ans from the Blue Cliff Record and the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate), plus kong-ans from Korea, and modern kong-ans taken from aspects of our everyday lives. Zen Master Bon Soeng offers Interviews with kong-an practice on most Saturday mornings and during retreats.
Community
Our Sangha (community of practitioners) is spread out around Northern California. Thanks to our membership in the Kwan Um School of Zen, many of our sangha members are transplants from other parts of the world. Our school offers a unique international experience, including numerous long intensive retreats around the world. These offerings include winter and summer 90 day retreats in Korea, Eastern Europe and North America (at the Providence Zen Center)
Membership
What Is the Kwan Um School Of Zen?
The Kwan Um School of Zen is an international organization of over one hundred centers and groups founded by Zen Master Seung Sahn, the first Korean Zen Master to live and teach in the West. The School's purpose is to make this practice of Zen Buddhism available to an ever-growing number of students throughout the world.
Membership
By becoming a member of the Empty Gate Zen Center, you help support its on-going practice and programs. You'll also automatically become a member of the Kwan Um School of Zen, and part of its effort to bring this teaching to new students and to other parts of the world.
As a member, you will receive reduced fees for retreats and programs at the Empty Gate Zen Center and at other Zen Centers of the Kwan Um School of Zen. You'll also receive the School's Primary Point magazine, and it's newsletter.
Printable membership application
If you live in North America, you can become a member or pay your dues online.The Kwan Um School of Zen is an international organization of over one hundred centers and groups founded by Zen Master Seung Sahn, the first Korean Zen Master to live and teach in the West. The School's purpose is to make this practice of Zen Buddhism available to an ever-growing number of students throughout the world.
By becoming a member of the Empty Gate Zen Center, you help support its on-going practice and programs. You'll also automatically become a member of the Kwan Um School of Zen, and part of its effort to bring this teaching to new students and to other parts of the world.
As a member, you will receive reduced fees for retreats and programs at the Empty Gate Zen Center and at other Zen Centers of the Kwan Um School of Zen. You'll also receive the School's Primary Point magazine, and its newsletter.
Printable membership application.
If you live in North America, you can become a member online.
Donations
As you may know, there has been a lot of activity at Empty Gate Zen Center recently. In 1997 we purchased the Center at 2200 Parker Street and set up a self-sustaining program of monthly retreats and six sessions of bowing, chanting, and sitting a week.
Things have changed greatly in the last year. We have now welcomed a new resident, expanded to thirteen practice periods weekly, established a social media presence on the Internet using Facebook, and posted dharma talk video clips to the site. Jason Quinn, our new resident and Abbot, has added much new energy. He comes to us from Providence Zen Center, where he served as Housemaster.
In addition to our operating expenses and mortgage, the expansion of our programs and resident comes additional expenses. We need your help. Please take a moment to consider what tax-deductible donation you can afford.
We are asking current members and non members to consider a donation to continue our efforts in sustaining our programs and keep providing a clear and supportive environment for people to come and practice. You can easily donate online securely using the button below or by sending a check to the following address.
Many thanks for your support and for considering Empty Gate in your charitable giving plans.
Send check or money order to:
Empty Gate Zen Center 2200 Parker Street Berkeley, CA 94704