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Become a Member

All are welcome to practice at the Zen Center of Syracuse Hoenji. Before attending one of our regularly scheduled events, newcomers should attend our Thursday evening in-person offering (which includes an orientation at 6pm) OR our Intro to Zen Meditation (via Zoom) offered each Wednesday evening from 7-8 p.m. ET.

For in-person visits, please see the sitting schedule. Upon arrival, the orientation given is enough to initiate the zazen (sitting meditation) experience. The suggested donation for non-members is $5 each visit. In addition, the introductory course, Deep Presence, taught twice a year by Shinge Roshi, is most helpful. We encourage you to attend this course when your schedule permits.

To become a member, a student must practice sincerely and consistently, attending zazen at the center at least once a week. Once a member and physical restrictions allow, student must participate in a three-day sesshin at the Zen Center of Syracuse or a week-long sesshin at Dai Bosatsu Zendo at least once a year.

Our membership is global and inclusive. Many of our offerings, such as sesshin, dokusan and daily sittings are available both in-person and online via Zoom.

Inherent to a commitment to practice is commitment to sangha. Members give of themselves through their time, talents, and financial support, as able.

Members may request to become students of Shinge Roshi. With this step, they enter into the student/teacher relationship, with Dokusan (private meetings with Shinge Roshi) at the heart of practice. Dokusan is offered to all students on the 2nd and 4th Sundays and 3rd Thursday of the month when Shinge Roshi is in town.

Members also receive reduced rates for Sesshins and classes offered at the Zen Center of Syracuse.

The first step in this process is the filing a membership application form. You can use the online application form on this page, or, if you prefer to mail your application, please fill out this Sangha Membership Form and either attach it to an e-mail to the Zen Center at membership@zencenterofsyracuse.org or mail to:

Zen Center of Syracuse Hoen-ji
266 W Seneca Turnpike
Syracuse, NY 13207

The level of Membership Support is at least $10 per month for every $10,000 of annual income (i.e., 1.2% of your annual income per year) or as your current situation allows.

If you have applied for membership and would like to establish recurring membership contributions, please click the following button:

Set up Recurring Membership Donations

Any further inquiries concerning Membership may be directed to:

Jika-shi Lauren Melnikow
Membership Chair
membership@zencenterofsyracuse.org

Zen Center of Syracuse Membership Application

Application to become a member of the Zen Center of Syracuse

Step 1 of 3

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Name

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Your Personal Information

Your Name(Required)

First Last

Your Email Address(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Phone (Home)

Phone (Work)

Phone (Cell)

Date of birth

MM slash DD slash YYYY

Name of spouse or partner (if any)

What is your line of work?

Physical and/or psychological conditions

If you have any physical and/or psychological conditions you’d like to share with us so that we can better support you in your practice, please list that information here or, if you prefer, speak to Shinge Roshi. This includes regular medications.

Your Practice History

What brought you to the Zen Center?

When did you start doing zazen here?

Indicate practice

Zen

Tibetan

Zen + Tibetan

Other

If Other, please specify

Have you done zazen with another sangha?

Yes

If so, with what teacher and when?

If you have participated in a Sesshin (Zen retreat), where and when?

Have you received the precepts?

Yes

If so, with whom and when?

What is your Dharma name (if applicable)?

Participation and Support

What skills might you have to offer to benefit the Zen Center?

Would you be willing to serve or assist any of the following committees?

Development

Facilities

Program

Youth

Membership Support

Members support the Zen Center through monthly contributions, end-of-year donations, other gifts, and volunteer work.

Monthly support is determined by each member’s income. We suggest a minimum contribution of at least $10 per month for every $10,000 of annual income (i.e., 1.2% of your annual income per year) or as your current situation allows.

The Zen Center of Syracuse uses Donorbox, a secure online giving platform, to make it easy to manage your ongoing contribution. You can update your pledge at any time, review past donations, and set up recurring payments by bank transfer or credit card.

To set up automatic, recurring contributions, you can do so now using the Recurring Membership Support form.

If you prefer to mail your membership contribution, you may send a check to:

Zen Center of Syracuse
266 W Seneca Turnpike
Syracuse, NY 13207

Please write "Membership support" on your check.

Please indicate dollar amount of monthly membership contributions:(Required)

How often will you make membership contributions?(Required)

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Help advance our mission of peace and compassion

Support the Zen Center

266 West Seneca Turnpike
Syracuse, NY 13207
p. (315) 492-9773
e. admin@zencenterofsyracuse.org

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The Zen Center of Syracuse acknowledges that we are on the territory of the Onondaga Nation, council fire of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. With gratitude and respect, we join in the stewardship of our shared environment.