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On the night of Thursday, March 25, 2026, at about 11:30 pm local time, a fire broke out in Amber Hall, the zendo at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. The zendo was completely burnt down, as was part of the library. Fortunately, there was no loss of life, and we are grateful to local firefighters and residents who did their best to contain the fire and prevent further damage to the complex.

Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, also known as Zenshiji (Zen Mind Temple), has a long history as the oldest Japanese Buddhist monastery in the United States. The property was purchased by the San Francisco Zen Center in 1967 and developed into a monastery by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, who envisioned it as a training center for Sōtō Zen practitioners in the United States.

This is not the first time a fire has burned down the zendo at Tassajara. The original zendo (which also served as the dining room) burnt down in April 1978. The fire was accidental and unrelated to a wildfire; it is believed to have started in a basement storage area, possibly from a propane refrigerator. Because the building’s wood was old and dry, it burned very rapidly. A new zendo was constructed immediately following this event.

More recently, several wildfires have threatened to damage the Tassajara complex. In 2008, the Basin Complex Fire almost reached the monastery, and again in 2016, when damage from the Soberanes Fire led to its closure.

This is a heartbreaking turn of events, and at the same time, the fire reaffirms the teaching of impermanence: everything is constantly changing. Time and again, history shows that temples and other structures burn down in every corner of the globe and are later rebuilt, often incorporating updated features and improvements. In time, a new zendo will be rebuilt.

Here is an update from Abbot David Zimmerman (who has been leading the Winter Ango there), from this morning, Saturday, March 28:

“Good morning. Tassajara practice continues uninterrupted. The Sangha is resilient. Monks sit zazen now in the Retreat Hall. Canyon wrens sing on the Kaisando roof in the morning, frogs chant along Cabarga Creek at night. Gratitude to the Buddhas and Ancestors, the mountains and waters, for this liberating Way of life.”

Baikaryu Eisanka 6-7pm– Japanese Plum Blossom Style Hymns with bells. Today we will be reviewing and singing ‘Sanbo Gowasan – English: Hymns of the Three Treasures’ .. as well as continuing to learn ‘Magokoro Ni Ikiru – English: Living with a True Heart’ in person only  – Contact Zen’etsu @ zenjoyclay@gmail.com for more information

Baika Vows we chant before beginning of practice:

1. We will live according to proper teachings through baikaryu eisanka.
2. We will live in harmony with others through baikaryu eisanka.
3. We will create a cheerful world around us through baikaryu eisanka.

Use this link to join. If asked use this password 899367

Book: Kokoro by Natsume Soseki.   – Online only

To see more about this book follow this link.

 Use this link to join. If asked use this password 899367

Today – Tuesday, February 17, 2026 2:00 – 2:45pm:

Dharma Tea on Tuesdays led by Rev. Seido David Sarpal on the topic “The Citrus Experience: A Visit to the Todolí Foundation” – online only 

Todolí Citrus Fundació is a project born from the natural reaction of Vicente Todolí to his family’s link to citrus growing and the urbanistic threat that could put an end to that memory. Today, with nearly 500 varieties from all corners of the planet, this orchard is probably the largest collection of citrus fruits grown outdoors in the world.  

Twelve ABZ members met up at the NorthEast side of Farragut Park NW for a sunlit walk to the Lincoln Memorial Grounds. Over the past months many people had been following the travels of the Peace Monks on Pilgrimage from Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas to Washington D.C. Wednesday at 2:30pm they were slated to arrive at the Lincoln Memorial grounds where thousands of Washingtonians were gathered to silently greet the monks and offer support for their message of practicing peaceful behaviors to create a peaceful world. It was a lovely day!

Meet up at Farragut Park NW

Photo by Kim Downes

Our ABZS Ino Seidō and our recent Benji Marcella enjoying the bright winter light reflected off the snow and Washington Monument.