Daily Schedule at City Center

All events listed are available in person unless indicated otherwise.

Health and Safety

  • Visitors must be vaccinated and have received at least one booster shot, if eligible.
  • Visitors must wear an N95 or KN95 mask at all times indoors* or they must test negative on a rapid antigen test on the day of the visit. If the test is negative, the visitor can be unmasked, except during Dharma talks.

Participants are not allowed to attend:

  • If they have cold or flu symptoms.
  • If they have been in close contact with anyone COVID positive in the last 14 days.
  • If they tested positive for COVID within the last 10 days.
    NOTE: To return to the temple after a positive COVID infection, it must be at least 10 days since testing positive and the visitor must have a negative antigen test.

Additional Arrival Information

For morning and evening zazen, guests are asked to enter through the door on Laguna Street near the corner of Page and Laguna. This door will be open for 20 minutes prior to the start of zazen in the morning and evening. Please be seated 5 minutes before the zazen start time listed below. The door will be locked once zazen begins. On weekday mornings, the door will be reopened from 6:03 – 6:10 am so that visitors can enter the building. Guests arriving at this time will enter the zendo at 6:10 am in order to participate in the second period of zazen.

Weekday Schedule**


Mornings: Tuesday – Friday

5:40 am Zazen (sitting meditation)
6:03 – 6:10 am Interval bell (sitters may adjust their posture and new guests may enter)
6:10 am Zazen (ends with robe chant)
6:40 am Service in the Buddha Hall
7:05 am Soji (temple cleaning)
7:30 am Breakfast in the courtyard ($10 – $15 donation)


Evenings: Monday – Friday

5:40 – 6:20 pm Zazen
6:20 – 6:30 pm Service
(No public dinner at this time)

Wednesday Evening

7:30 pm*** Dharma talk (public lecture) both in the Buddha Hall and in the online zendo

Weekends: Saturday


Saturday Morning***

6:30 am Zazen (sitting meditation)
7:10 am Service in the Buddha Hall
7:40 am Soji (temple cleaning)
7:55 am Breakfast in the courtyard ($10 – $15 donation)
9:25 am Zazen (sitting meditation)
10:00 am Dharma talk and Q&A - in the Buddha Hall and in the online zendo
11:30 am Tea and cookies in the courtyard
12:00 pm Public lunch is offered once a month, by donation - 2023 dates: April 8, May 6, June 10, July 1, August 5, September 2, October 14, and November 11


Saturday Afternoon and Sunday

The City Center building is closed to the general public, except for special classes, sittings, or events.


*Note that a limited number of SF Zen Center residents will be unmasked in the temple. This small population of students has been engaging in low-risk activities only, such that COVID transmission risks are reduced dramatically. In consultation with a team of medical doctors, it has been determined that this does not pose a significant threat to the visiting public.

**City Center, including the zendo and Buddha Hall,  is closed on federal holidays.

***This symbol marks events recommended for beginners. Also visit our For Beginners at City Center webpage for more information and opportunities.


Practice at San Francisco Zen Center is open to all people regardless of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, age, or physical ability.

Donations are gratefully received and help us to maintain all of SF Zen Center's programs. Donations can be made onsite in the donation boxes located in the lobby or in zendo foyer. Donations can also be made online through our donations webpage.

To contact the front office call 415.863.3136 or email ccoffice@sfzc.org.