Help us help this world

Dear friends,

The world is a difficult place. Buddha’s first teaching begins by pointing out that existence entails suffering. How can we keep our balance? How can we find the steadiness to help? Zen’s function is exactly to develop the stability and clarity that allow us to help. 

Buddha’s teaching goes on to delineate the causes of suffering and point us to the awakening that can end it. Crucial to this project is sangha (i.e., community) and the support we give each other. It is sangha that provides the conditions for practice and awakening.

Our Zen center sangha gives freely of their time. We are staffed by volunteers. Even our local teachers are not paid for their teaching. But the conditions that support sangha are not free. Your support helps fund our Zen center’s needs:

• technology that allows online access to people literally from all over the world

• our native plant garden

• support for visiting teachers

• helping our members with Kwan Um meditation retreat fees both here and elsewhere

and all the standard needs—property maintenance and development, insurance, supplies, a mortgage — that are essential to our existence.

For 48 years the Kansas Zen Center has been providing the opportunity for awakening through meditation practice. We are a treasure for those living in our region and for many living outside it. Your donation will help us continue to provide a refuge and a source for inner strength. No donation is too big or too small.

We thank you for your support,

Judy Roitman (Zen Master Bon Hae)

Guiding Teacher

Stan Lombardo (Zen Master Hae Kwang)

Dennis Duermeier JDPSN