
Develop skills and earn practice period credits
The Work Practice Apprenticeship Program (WPA) is an entry-level Zen training program. Students work and practice full time at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, wholeheartedly engaging with all aspects of the daily community and practice life in the temple. The goals of the program are threefold:

- Support Zen students in establishing a solid foundation of Zen meditation, work-practice, and the Buddha’s teachings as passed down to us by Suzuki Roshi and his Dharma heirs.
- Offer a low-cost way for sincere students to make a commitment to full-time residential Zen practice.
- Reward those who successfully complete the initial three- to six-month period with the opportunity to continue and deepen their practice at San Francisco Zen Center.
The Summer WPA program offers:
- Daily zazen and service
- Daily work practice
- Wednesday evening and Saturday evening Dharma talks
- Weekly classes hosted by visiting teachers
- Monthly half-day sittings
- One-on-one meetings with Zen teachers
- Training on Soto Zen forms and roles, zendo instruments, and ceremonies
- Living in community and deep nature, alongside fellow practitioners
Practice Period credits:
WPAs are eligible to earn residential practice period credits to be used at one of San Francisco Zen Center’s three locations (Tassajara, City Center, and Green Gulch Farm). Summer students participating for the complete summer plus three weeks of Work Period (five months total) are eligible to earn two practice period credits; students who participate for three consecutive months earn one practice period credit.
Those who are interested in applying for the WPA Program must plan their arrival and departure dates so that they fulfill the three- or five- month requirement. Those who decide after they arrive that they'd like to apply for the WPA program may explore options with the Director.
Eligibility for practice period credits does not guarantee acceptance to a practice period or center, which is determined through a separate application procedure. Also, admission into a practice period at Tassajara requires that applicants have completed at least one practice period at either City Center or Green Gulch Farm beforehand.
Work Practice Apprentices are also eligible to receive a credit of $45 per month for the purchase of personal necessities.
If you have questions, please contact the Director (zmcdirector@sfzc.org) for further clarification.
See more information on how to apply.