Great Vow Zen Monastery, Buddhist monastery in Clatskanie, Oregon, US.

Great Vow Zen Monastery occupies a former elementary school on 20 acres overlooking the Columbia River floodplain near Clatskanie, Oregon. Two former classroom pods now serve as dormitory wings, while administrative offices and the meditation hall fill the center of the building. An open meadow surrounds it, with wooded trails behind.

Great Vow Zen Monastery was founded in 2002 by the Zen Community of Oregon and is housed in a former elementary school on 20 acres overlooking the Columbia River floodplain near Clatskanie. It belongs to the White Plum lineage of the Japanese Soto Zen tradition and is led by abbots Chozen Bays, Roshi, and Hogen Bays, Roshi.

Jizo Bodhisattva, called Kṣitigarbha in Sanskrit, has a central role here: the Jizo mantra is chanted daily, Jizo images are made for sale, and ceremonies for children and loved ones who have died are held twice a year. A Jizo-Bon festival takes place each August.

The monastery welcomes visitors on Sunday mornings for programs running from 10 AM to 12:15 PM, with meditation sessions and teachings available both in person and online. Arriving early gives you time to settle in and familiarize yourself with the space before activities begin.

Jizo Bodhisattva, called Kṣitigarbha in Sanskrit, has a central role here: the Jizo mantra is chanted daily, Jizo images are made for sale, and ceremonies for children and loved ones who have died are held twice a year, with a Jizo-Bon festival in August.