Membership
Thank you for considering membership with our community. By becomming a member you join our efforts to share the Dharma, and receive a number of practical benefits. Membership is expressed by paying monthly dues, which are an important financial foundation for our community.
Become a ZCO member
To become a member on-line - create an account on this site and then go to the Pay Dues page. (for more information about dues see below)
-or-
Download a printable PDF membership form
Already a member - 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.
- Sanzen (private interviews) with the teachers.
- 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.
- Dues in arrears of 4 months will be considered a request to drop Membership.
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 at 10:00am on most Sundays at Great Vow Zen Monastery, at 7:30pm on most Sundays at Heart of Wisdom, and during sesshin (meditation retreats). Active members can also meet informally with the teachers at GVZM Tuesdays through Saturdays, teachers' time permitting. To arrange an informal meeting at the monastery, please call (503) 728-0654.
If you have further questions about membership after reading this page please email Jomon.
