San Francisco Zen Center, Buddhist meditation center in Hayes Valley, San Francisco, United States.
Description
The San Francisco Zen Center is a three-story brick building in Hayes Valley with meditation halls, residential quarters, and community spaces for Zen practice. The rooms are arranged to support both formal practice sessions and the daily life of those who live and study there.
History
A Japanese teacher named Shunryu Suzuki founded the center in 1962 as the first Soto Zen organization in western America. The building itself dates to 1922, when it was originally designed as a residence club for Jewish women before becoming a practice space.
Culture
The center blends Japanese Soto Zen traditions with American life, drawing people from the neighborhood who come to sit in meditation and learn together. Daily rhythms of practice shape how the space is used and shared by visitors and residents alike.
Practical
The center is currently closed for renovations with programs temporarily held at various locations around the city. Check current information before visiting to find where activities are taking place.
Did you know?
The building was designed in 1922 by architect Julia Morgan, a pioneering figure in American design and construction. This architectural connection links two separate cultural histories within a single structure.
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