What we’re about
The Atlanta Soto Zen Center (ASZC) was founded in the early 1970s under the leadership of Abbot Zenkai Taiun Michael Elliston, a disciple of Rev. Dr. Soyu Matsuoka-Roshi in Chicago during the 1960s. Elliston-sensei remains the Zen Center's spiritual leader.
ASZC supports its members by providing a Sangha, or group to sit with. Zazen, or sitting meditation, is available in the mornings every day of the week. The center also offers one-day and multi-day retreats to help practitioners with their sitting practice. Each Wednesday, a newcomer's class is held to teach the basics of Zen and how to do Zen Meditation (i.e., Zazen, and on Monday night, there is a book club that can be joined anytime. Experienced teachers are also available to respond to any questions that arise.
ASZC hosts daily and weekly discussion groups and has an extensive lending library.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Monday Night Book Club1167 Zonolite Pl NE, Atlanta, GA
The Atlanta Soto Zen Center offers a Monday night Book Club. Participants can join in person or online. The first 25 minutes is zazen(meditation), followed by an informal discussion on the book that ends at 9:00 PM.
Note: The current book is called Appreciate Your Life: The Essence of Zen Practice.
Please click the Book schedule Link to get the schedule and the book information.
The new book is a collection of short, inspiring teachings on Zen koans, the Buddha, and more—from a leader in introducing Zen Buddhism to the West
Here is the first major collection of the teachings of Taizan Maezumi Roshi (1931-1995), one of the first Japanese Zen masters to bring Zen to the West and founding abbot of the Zen Center of Los Angeles and Zen Mountain Center in Idyllwild, California. These short, inspiring readings illuminate Zen practice in simple, eloquent language. Topics include zazen and Zen koans, how to appreciate your life as the life of the Buddha, and the essential matter of life and death. - Introduction to Soto Zen Meditation1167 Zonolite Pl NE, Atlanta, GA
The Atlanta Soto Zen Center offers a Wednesday night Introduction to Soto Zen class. The class teaches the basics of Zen meditation (posture, breath, attention) and walking meditation (kinhin).
There will also be a period where the participant will practice doing the sitting meditation (15-20 minutes) and walking meditation (5 minutes).
There will also be a time for questions and answers at the end of the class.
For more information, visit our site: https://www.aszc.org/
- Monday Night Book Club1167 Zonolite Pl NE, Atlanta, GA
The Atlanta Soto Zen Center offers a Monday night Book Club. Participants can join in person or online. The first 25 minutes is zazen(meditation), followed by an informal discussion on the book that ends at 9:00 PM.
Note: The current book is called Appreciate Your Life: The Essence of Zen Practice.
Please click the Book schedule Link to get the schedule and the book information.
The new book is a collection of short, inspiring teachings on Zen koans, the Buddha, and more—from a leader in introducing Zen Buddhism to the West
Here is the first major collection of the teachings of Taizan Maezumi Roshi (1931-1995), one of the first Japanese Zen masters to bring Zen to the West and founding abbot of the Zen Center of Los Angeles and Zen Mountain Center in Idyllwild, California. These short, inspiring readings illuminate Zen practice in simple, eloquent language. Topics include zazen and Zen koans, how to appreciate your life as the life of the Buddha, and the essential matter of life and death. - Introduction to Soto Zen Meditation1167 Zonolite Pl NE, Atlanta, GA
The Atlanta Soto Zen Center offers a Wednesday night Introduction to Soto Zen class. The class teaches the basics of Zen meditation (posture, breath, attention) and walking meditation (kinhin).
There will also be a period where the participant will practice doing the sitting meditation (15-20 minutes) and walking meditation (5 minutes).
There will also be a time for questions and answers at the end of the class.
For more information, visit our site: https://www.aszc.org/