Berkeley Zen Center
| Berkeley Zen Center | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Sōtō |
| Location | |
| Location | 1931 Russell Street, Berkeley, California 94703 |
| Country | United States |
| Geographic coordinates | 37°51′24″N 122°16′12″W / 37.856540°N 122.269917°W |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Sojun Mel Weitsman Shunryu Suzuki |
| Website | |
| www.berkeleyzencenter.org | |
Berkeley Zen Center (BZC), official temple name Shogakuji (祥岳寺, Shōgaku-ji), is an Sōtō Zen Buddhist practice centre located in Berkeley, California led since 2024 by Shinchi Linda Galijan and Zenshin Greg Fain.
Initially founded as an affiliate of San Francisco Zen Center in 1967 by Hakuryu Sojun Mel Weitsman and Shōgaku Shunryu Suzuki. Weitsman became abbot in 1985 after receiving Dharma transmission from Hoitsu Suzuki. In 2021 Weitsman's Dharma heir Hozan Alan Senauke took over as abbot, living on-site with his wife and fellow ordained priest Laurie Senauke until his passing in 2024.
In 1979, the centre relocated to its current location on Russell Street—and today houses a small group of residents who live on site. BZC has an active community and a full schedule of zen service, student talks, dharma talks, and zazen.