Membership in ZCO
Declaring membership with ZCO is a commitment to pay $35 in monthly dues as a way to align yourself with our purpose to support the community and the Dharma.
Become a ZCO member |
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Current members: Pay membership dues online
Benefits for Members
- Discounted fees for sesshin, workshops, and retreats at Great Vow Zen Monastery (GVZM).
- May attend sesshin part-time.
- Meeting with the teachers at the Portland Dharma Center (PDC) through informal teas, or sanzen (private interviews).
- Voting rights at the annual Sangha meeting after one year of membership Eligibility to serve as a board member after three years of membership.
Dues Payments
- Members make dues payments of at least $35 per month.
- Dues payments are used to cover monthly expenses, such as rent for the Portland Dharma Center, insurance, stipends for the teachers, and printing of the Community Bulletin and other publications.
- For members living too far away to frequently participate in the offerings at the PDC and the monastery we ask for $20 in monthly dues.
Some Common Questions:
If I declare membership, am I a Buddhist?
- No. People become Buddhists when they take Jukai, during which one vows to live a life in accord with the Buddhist precepts before the whole sangha (community).
If I can't afford $35 per-month, can I still be a member?
- Yes. We believe that lack of funds should never stand in the way of joining this community. If you can't afford $35 per-month, please pay what you can afford. You might consider declaring one hour of work each week to the Dharma. For example, if you are paid $6.00 per-hour, you might pay dues of $24.00 per-month, if you are paid $10.00 per-hour, you might pay dues of $40.00 per-month.
How can I meet with Chozen or Hogen?
- The most powerful way to meet with a teacher is in sanzen (private interview). Sanzen is available to members most Sundays at the Portland Dharma Center, many mornings and evenings at Great Vow Zen Monastery, and during sesshin (meditation retreat). The teachers also meet with members over tea at the Dharma Center several times a year. Active members can also meet informally with the teachers at GVZM Tuesday - Saturday, teacher's time permitting. To arrange an informal meeting at the monastery please call (503) 728-0654.
