Welcome
Our Mission
The purpose of Santa Cruz Zen Center is to embody and communicate the teachings of the Buddha. Our understanding of the non-duality of compassion and wisdom, practice and realization, has been conveyed through the Soto School. The focus of our center is on integrating Zen practice and everyday life.
We offer daily meditation, weekly lectures, classes, workshops, workdays, one to seven-day meditation retreats and ceremonies.
Please feel free to come by for a visit, navigate this site to explore our offerings, or send in a question.
Governance
Santa Cruz Zen Center is guided by Practice Leader Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh with support from two emeritus Practice Leaders, Rev. Gene Bush and Rev. Cathy Toldi. They provide spiritual and programming direction.
A Board of Trustees, currently consisting of nine representatives elected by the Zen Center membership, meets monthly to establish long-term strategies and organizational goals, assure fiscal responsibility, conduct the annual appeal, and conduct an evaluation of leadership positions. The board may release from service any leaders due to extraordinary circumstances (consistent with SCZC Ethics Statement and Grievance Procedure). The board oversees grievance proceedings and supports conflict resolution if the need arises.
Board of Trustees Members for 2024
Sara McLellan, President
Anita Elliott, Vice President
Yaro Jane Arny, Treasurer
Christine Marez, Secretary
Gilbert Ramirez
Rev. Rene Netter
Shakti Bell
Sandra McCann
Rev. Eugene Bush, Practice Leader
Rev. Patrick Teverbaugh, Practice Leader Emeritus
Rev. Cathy Toldi, Practice Leader Emeritus
We’re just a (very) quick hop from downtown Santa Cruz!
Santa Cruz Zen Center
113 School Street
Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
United States
(831) 457-0206
contact@sczc.org
Santa Cruz Zen Center is a 501(c)(3) Religious Organization. Our TIN is 51-0163461
Questions?
We value inclusivity.
All are welcome to practice at Santa Cruz Zen Center:
all ethnicities, cultures, socioeconomic classes, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities.
Our practice requires that we become aware of the habitual and often unconscious ways we perpetuate division.
We vow to utilize this awareness to cultivate connections rather than separation.
We work to assure that all people who come to practice here are seen and heard, respected and included.
Affiliations
Santa Cruz Zen Center is a member of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association, Zen Buddhist Sewing Teachers, and Branching Streams, the affiliate sangha network of San Francisco Zen Center. We are also a proud member of Out In Our Faith, Santa Cruz.
