Membership

Do I Have To Be A Member To Visit Sangha Jewel Zen Center?

Not at all! Most of SJZC’s events are open to the public (check out the newsletter!). Our regular weekly offerings are free of charge. Donations are accepted with utmost gratitude.

Why Become A Member?

Do you experience a curious feeling whenever you visit SJZC that can’t quite be put into words? Have you become a regular at one of our discussion groups, morning meditations, or Sunday services? Perhaps you’ve attended a zazenkai, weekend retreat, workshop, or sesshin and have felt inspired to keep going? These are just a few of the many possible reasons to consider becoming a member. We encourage you to connect with our current members if you have any questions. The greeters at our front door are all happy to chat about membership and share what membership means to them.

Benefits of Membership

Are you wondering what the benefits are to being a member of SJZC? Membership primarily grants you access and input to the decisions that help maintain the Zen center. Members are the voting body at the annual meeting. Members also receive regular updates on the financial health of the Zen center so they can be sure their monthly dues are being used wisely.

More broadly, choosing to become a member is a commitment to stewardship. We choose to take responsibility and care directly for something that is truly meaningful to us, by  supporting the center and keeping it vital for the benefit of generations coming along after us. We recognize that millions of people, dating back over 2600 years to the historical Buddha, have thus made it possible for us to enjoy this practice. And now we can follow in their footsteps.

How To Become A Member

Becoming a member of SJZC is easy. Simply click the link to the right and complete the membership form. You’ll then receive an email containing a link to our donation page where you will be able to set your monthly membership dues payment.

Members help cover the costs of maintaining SJZC. The suggested amount for membership is $30/mo if that is financially do-able for you. This amount represents the median contribution. Half of our members give less than this amount each month, and half give more. You are free to join or cancel membership at any time.

We recognize that life circumstances can change and may affect your monthly contribution. If conditions allow you to give a little more than the suggested amount, you are welcome to do so. Similarly, we honor the reality of your financial situation if the suggested monthly amount is too much to give at this time. Please give whatever fits your personal budget.

Contact Us

Please contact us with any questions and to let us know if your address, email, or phone number changes.