At Ocean Gate Zen Center, a commitment to welcoming and full inclusion is central to our temple life. We are guided by the Buddhist practice of Dana – a Pali word that means “generosity” and “to give freely.” Therefore, we have no membership structure or fees and do not require a fee for our Dharma offerings.

Community

Our community life is guided by Buddha’s teaching of interconnection and mutuality - that we are profoundly woven together, and each of us supports and is supported by each other and all beings. Recognizing this, we follow a path of mutuality that is life-giving, meaningful, and dignifies the lives and contributions of each of us. You do not need to be a Buddhist to take part in our life of practice and community.

Stewardship

Stewardship is the practice of thoughtfully and responsibly managing what has been entrusted to our care.

In Stewardship, we care for our life together, our practice, and our center in whatever way we can. Each act of connection and service, large or small, is an act of generosity that brings us together, supports our practice, our temple, and the larger community – and allows us to know mutuality more deeply in our own lives.

We invite everyone who comes to Ocean Gate or enjoys our online events and teachings, to share in the practice of stewardship and to become a steward. We welcome you to speak to our sangha leaders about ways to become a Steward at Ocean Gate.

Becoming a Steward can take many forms, all of them support the life of Ocean Gate Zen Center – participating in Sangha practice, giving your time, and talents, offering financial support, volunteering to serve, joining with others to organize and support sangha events, keeping an eye out for any needs and any opportunities for us to come together as a sangha.

Your generosity in all these ways supports and sustains Ocean Gate Zen Center, allowing our community to continue opening our doors wide to all who wish to enter.

Our center is supported solely by the generosity of all those who have found meaning, support and guidance here. 

If you would like to offer financial support, please use the button below or send your gift to:

Ocean Gate Zen Center
920 41st Ave., Suite B
Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Sustaining and recurring gifts provide particularly welcome support that helps us maintain our community.