At this time, the Green Gulch Guest Student Program is open.
All applicants for the Guest Student and Work Practice Apprenticeship (WPA) programs must be fully vaccinated with one of the three FDA-approved vaccines—Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson—and have received a booster (if eligible).
Our Guest Student Program offers short-term residency to those interested in beginning or continuing Zen practice with the support of a community. Guest students participate in the daily life of Green Gulch, which includes several periods of zazen (sitting meditation), services (sutra chanting), morning and afternoon work (frequently of a physical nature), informal study and meals. We also offer zazen instruction, classes and lectures on Buddhism, and the opportunity for discussions and meetings with teachers and practice leaders.
The cost is $25 per day with a 14-day (two-week) minimum. A $50 non-refundable deposit is due once you have received confirmation of your Guest Student stay. Guest student stays beyond 21 days (if approved) are without additional charge.
SFZC has a designated fund to support BIPOC practitioners with guest student stay fees. Please indicate to the Guest Student Manager if this applies to you.
For more information please write the Guest Student Manager at ggfstudent@sfzc.org.
To Apply
Please complete the online application. Please review the Green Gulch Residential Guidelines (Shingi) as well.
Planning Your Stay
The guest student program begins on Saturday evenings with dinner and an opening orientation. A two-week stay (preferably Saturday to Saturday) is requested. Longer stays may be scheduled on a week-to-week basis; for longer term stays please see also our Apprenticeship Programs.
Booking is done in order of applications received.
In the spirit of maintaining the Buddhist precepts, guest students are asked to refrain from drug or alcohol use and from initiating new sexual relationships during their guest student stay. We also discourage the use of tobacco while in residence.
Please discuss any concerns you may have with the Guest Student Manager before entering the program.
Suggested reading: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki.
Schedule
The Guest Student Program includes complete participation in the schedule. It is requested that any exceptions be communicated to the Guest Student Manager.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday
5:35am Zazen (meditation)
6:35 Service (chanting and bowing)
7:00 Soji (temple cleaning)
7:20 Breakfast (silent first ten minutes)
8:30 Work Meeting (in enclosed deck area upstairs)
8:40 Work (meet the Guest Student Manager and
other guest students in the dining room)
12:15pm Lunch (silent first ten minutes)
1:00 Work
3:15 End Work
5:15 Zazen
5:50 Service
6:00 Dinner
Thursday
Regular schedule through 11:00am
11:00am Guest Student Tea
1:00pm Lunch dishes. Afternoon and evening are free.
Friday
7:45am Breakfast
Free Time
7:30pm (or 7:50) Zazen (optional)
Sunday
Regular schedule until 10:00am
10:15am Lecture
12:15pm Lunch
Regular afternoon and evening schedule.
October 12 – November 27 (during the Fall Practice Period)
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday
5:00am Zazen (meditation)
5:40 Kinhin (walking meditation)
5:50 Zazen
6:30 Service (chanting and bowing)
7:00 Soji (temple cleaning)
7:15 Breakfast (silent first ten minutes)
8:30 Work Meeting (in enclosed deck area upstairs)
8:40 Work (meet the Guest Student Manager and
other guest students in the dining room)
12:15pm Lunch (silent first ten minutes)
1:00 Work
3:15 End Work
5:15 Zazen
5:50 Service
6:00 Dinner
7:30 (or 7:50) Zazen (optional)
Thursday
Regular schedule through 11:00am
11:00am Guest Student Tea
1:00pm Lunch dishes. Afternoon and evening are free.
Friday
7:45am Breakfast
Free Time
7:30pm (or 7:50) Zazen (optional)
Sunday
Regular schedule until 10:00am
10:15am Lecture
12:15pm Lunch
Regular afternoon and evening schedule.
During Practice Periods there are additional scheduled periods of zazen in the evenings.