Ocean Moon Sangha, situated in Santa Monica, is a Zen Buddhist meditation group established in 2004 by the Soto Zen teacher, John Daishin Buksbazen, Sensei. Daishin Sensei received his teachings under the guidance of Taizan Maezumi Roshi, and subsequently became a successor to Wendy Egyoku Nakao Roshi. Daishin Sensei retired in 2015.
Our current teacher is Mico Ryutaku Olmos Rōshi. You can learn more about the lineage of our teacher and current practice at Hill Street by going to the “About Us” page, or use the button below.
One meaning ascribed to the word Sangha is “community.” Ocean Moon Sangha gives practitioners in the region an opportunity to sit zazen together every week.
Our Wednesday program is held between 7 and 8:30pm.
Zazen instruction is offered at the beginning of each session as needed. Once a month Ryutaku gives talks about aspects of Zen Buddhism during the second half of the session. He also offers Dokusan twice a month to address any issues that may arise in your practice, in one-to-one setting.
Zen practice is Way tradition, meaning it is all inclusive. We welcome participants from all traditions. Given that the primary practice of zazen is in silence, we appreciate the mutual respect for silence. In accordance with this, we request that all cell phones are turned off or completely silenced.
We meet Wednesday evenings at:
Hill Street Center
237 Hill Street
Santa Monica, CA
There is free parking in the lot beside the building. No permit is required to park in the lot.
We can be reached by email.
Drop us a line with any questions. (Ocean Moon Sangha does not have a mailing address at this time, so please use email to contact us.)
Or better yet, just drop in on Wednesday evening to sit with us!
With Greg Shinshyou Hicks Rōshi and Mico Ryūtaku Olmos Rōshi.
7:00 PM on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, to 9:00 AM on Sunday, July 14, 2024
Sesshin will begin promptly at 7:00 pm on Tuesday the 9th and will end on Sunday morning, July 14th by 9:00 am. Cost for the full retreat is $160.00 (Plus Dana for Mitsunen Roshi). You may register and pay for the retreat on the PayPal link on the Hokori Zen website:
A sesshin is a multiple-day retreat in which we take time out of our busy lives to focus on our spiritual practice. We do multiple periods of zazen (seated meditation) with periods of kinhin (walking meditation) between. We also do samu (work practice) and chanting services. There will be daily dharma talks and dokusan (private Interviews).
Sleeping arrangements are dormitory style and all meals are included beginning Tuesday morning with breakfast. You may arrange a hotel room if that is preferable (approx. 5-10 minutes away). For those who wish to stay at a nearby hotel, we have a list to choose from. Please let us know if you need the hotel list.
Please bring your own sleeping bag, sleeping pad or air mattress. Please also bring blankets, linens/pillows, towels, toiletries etc. We have a small shower facility at the church. There are also bathrooms that may be used for washing.
To help with planning, pre-registration is required whether you are doing the entire retreat or just the weekend. Please contact Shinshyou Rōshi at hokorizenter@gmail.com.
We look forward to seeing you all at sesshin! In gassho,
Mico Ryūtaku Olmos, Rōshi
Copyright © 2023 Ocean Moon Sangha - All Rights Reserved.
Ocean Moon Sangha is an unincorporated group that meets solely for the purpose of Zen Buddhist meditation.