Crestone Mountain Zen Center

Crestone Mountain Zen Center provides space for practitioners at all levels to engage with the Dharma via daily monastic schedule, structured teachings, and individual study. Your donations directly support daily life monastic life and programs offered at CMZC.

Testimonials

"I joined Dharma Sangha in 1987…the practice was an instant fit for me. Baker Roshi's deeply articulate teaching was like a direct transmission from Suzuki Roshi - enlightening from the very first talk. Reuniting with Baker Roshi and the Crestone Mountain Zen Center online during the Covid pandemic has been like a miracle; an unimaginably powerful, supportive, and deeply penetrating way for me to continue my practice with this extraordinary teacher and Sangha." - Susan H, Sangha Member

"The largest way that the Dharma Sangha has shaped my practice is by filling in the blanks for what it means to actually live a life according to the Way. I came to my own practice in a very solitary fashion and so had few examples for correction or context to guide me. Meeting the members of Dharma Sangha brought much of the theory of Zen into the light of lived reality and served to deepen and ground my practice in a way I didn't know was possible until it occurred. When I'm at CMZC, everything simplifies and slows down to the clean, barebones of life. Almost immediately the dictum of, "When tired, sleep; when hungry, eat," seems to come to life and exhale its way into your own lived reality." - Edward M, Sangha Member

"There's a special place in my heart for CMZC and Baker Roshi and the Sangha and the mountains. I always long to return." - David Chadwick, Sangha Friend

"Dharma Sangha is extraordinary. It is an invitation to connect outside of our cultural habits. Much of our connection and support takes place outside of language." Katalin D, Sangha Member

"[Practing at CMZC] was an amazing, enriching experience. Enriched my view not just from the way of meditate but also through lectures that are extremely practical, deep and meaningful." - Clara G, volunteer

"Being able to visit CMZC twice a year and to participate in its online offerings has been a tremendous help in sustaining and strengthening my Zen practice. The Dharma Sangha is my sangha, my connection with fellow practitioners helping each other along the Buddhist path. That the Dharma Sangha will continue to grow and strengthen is not just important for my own practice, but also for the practice of many others, and, most importantly, for future generations of practitioners." Kirk R, Sangha Member

"The Dharma Sangha community has been this constant presence in my life. Just like a family, there are disagreements and fallings out. But the community itself is always there and always welcoming. Having a community to return to gives me something to stay accountable to in my practice. And community is built by participating, so that's an important piece - whether by donating, volunteering, practicing together, we all have to be part of the sangha in order for the sangha to exist." - Tessa C, volunteer