Empty Gate Zen Center

Empty Gate Zen Center Empty Gate Zen Center provides Zen meditation instruction in Berkeley, Santa Clara, and Boise Our practice also includes Kong-An (Koan) training.

Our practice forms are based on the traditions of Korean Son (Zen) practice. In the mornings we include 108 prostrations, a Korean tradition, which is both energetic and meditative. Our chanting has a unique character, using sounds and melodies from the Sino-Korean tradition. Our formal Zen sitting style will be familiar to anyone who has learned Zen or Vipassana meditation in most forms. We recog

nize the importance of posture and allow numerous sitting styles, including traditional floor styles, bench or chair sitting, and, if necessary due to medical condition, lying down meditation. We use the traditional kong-ans from the Blue Cliff Record and the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate), plus kong-ans from Korea, and modern kong-ans taken from aspects of our everyday lives. Zen Master Bon Soeng offers Interviews with kong-an practice on most Saturday mornings and during retreats.

In this Dharma talk, Zen Master Bon Soeng explores how observing the mind reveals the ways we create our experience and ...
08/27/2026

In this Dharma talk, Zen Master Bon Soeng explores how observing the mind reveals the ways we create our experience and suffering—and how that understanding can open the door to greater wisdom, freedom, healing, and love.

In this Dharma talk, Zen Master Bon Soeng explores how observing th...

“Meditation means asking the question, ‘What am I?’..."
08/18/2026

“Meditation means asking the question, ‘What am I?’..."

In this video, Marshall White JDPSN explores the Morning Bell Chant and how its teachings point us from clear mind and w...
08/13/2026

In this video, Marshall White JDPSN explores the Morning Bell Chant and how its teachings point us from clear mind and wisdom toward compassion, helping others, and putting our Zen practice into action.

In this video, Marshall White JDPSN explores the Morning Bell Chant...

08/11/2026
In this video, Zen Master Bon Soeng talks about how we can use Zen practice to face the fundamental question, “What am I...
08/07/2026

In this video, Zen Master Bon Soeng talks about how we can use Zen practice to face the fundamental question, “What am I?” with great doubt, courage, and faith, staying present with what is rather than escaping into our stories and distractions.

In this video, Zen Master Bon Soeng talks about how we can use Zen ...

"This simple practice helps us remember who we actually are..."
08/04/2026

"This simple practice helps us remember who we actually are..."

In this video, Marshall White JDPSN explores how the Heart Sutra brings together the Buddha's foundational teachings—the...
07/30/2026

In this video, Marshall White JDPSN explores how the Heart Sutra brings together the Buddha's foundational teachings—the Five Skandhas, the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination, and the Four Noble Truths—to reveal the wisdom of keeping a "don't know" mind, waking us up from suffering while inspiring compassionate action.

In this video, Marshall White JDPSN explores how the Heart Sutra br...

"First, we have to put down our ideas..."
07/29/2026

"First, we have to put down our ideas..."

Please join us for a Half-Day Retreat on Sunday, August 2nd, from 8:00am to 12:30pm Alaska Time, either in person at Col...
07/28/2026

Please join us for a Half-Day Retreat on Sunday, August 2nd, from 8:00am to 12:30pm Alaska Time, either in person at Cold Mountain Zen Center or on Zoom. No experience is necessary.

Half day Zen retreatAugust 2ndBegins Sunday 8:00am Alaska Time (9:00am PT)Retreat is a time to look inside and investigate our life. It is an opportunity to clear our mind of habitual thinking and access our wisdom and compassion. Register Here Please join us for a Half-Day Retreat on Sunday, August...

In the video, Zen Master Bon Soeng talks about how Zen points beyond our ideas of right and wrong, inviting us to let go...
07/22/2026

In the video, Zen Master Bon Soeng talks about how Zen points beyond our ideas of right and wrong, inviting us to let go of fixed judgments, return to "before thinking," and respond to each moment with clarity and compassion.

In the video, Zen Master Bon Soeng talks about how Zen points beyon...

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2200 Parker Street
Berkeley, CA
94704

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