The Zen Studies Society Monastery Restoration

I have created this GoFundMe campaign in honor of my Sangha and Zen Community. Please help me support The Zen Studies Society Monastery Restoration Project.

MONASTERY RESTORATION CAMPAIGN

Nestled amidst 1,400 acres of pristine wilderness, on the banks of the highest lake in the Catskills, is a beautiful mountain monastery called Dai Bosatsu Zendo — Great Bodhisattva Zen training center. By day, the air is fragrant and pure; at night, billions of stars shine in their full glory. Spiritual seekers from all over the world have come here since its formal opening in 1976 to engage in the life-transforming practice of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. Each year, seasoned Zen practitioners and those new to meditation leave behind their fast-paced lives and digital screens to travel up an unpaved mountain road deep in the Catskill Mountains. They arrive at Dai Bosatsu Zendo to participate in introductory weekends, intensive Zen retreats, special events, and ceremonies. They leave refreshed and nourished, and return season after season.

SAVING THE BUILDING

We are announcing a $1.5 million campaign to Restore the Monastery and uphold our remarkable heritage.

Almost 50 years after the founding of Dai Bosatsu Zendo, age has taken its toll on the building, which was modeled on Tofukuji, a renowned temple in Kyoto, Japan. Antiquated heating and essential freshwater systems are in urgent need of upgrades. The patio flagstone and masonry entry stairs in the main entrance are cracking. The cedar-shingled roof and gutters are well past their replacement date. The wood support for the big temple bell is deteriorating. The entire facility is in need of repair and renovation. Professional restoration is a pressing necessity to ensure that this unique and precious resource will continue for future generations of practitioners.

In 2022, the Zen Studies Society Board contracted with an engineering firm to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the Dai Bosatsu monastery. The review identified numerous items, known and new, for updating, including antiquated key mechanicals and structural repairs. In addition, as part of our commitment to the care of the earth, a solar array installation is underway to reduce DBZ's reliance on outside electricity by at least 50 percent.

This restoration is also a preventive measure to avoid future damage and recoup costs. In addition to replacing the outdated equipment that requires urgent attention, this initiative allows us to create a more sustainable facility, reducing our environmental impact and carbon footprint.

With a daily schedule that includes temple caretaking, those of us who practice at Dai Bosatsu Zendo share the embodied experience that our spiritual growth is not separate from the building that offers the space for practice. We are now called to extend our care to the practice of dana (generosity), so that we and future practitioners can continue coming home to this monastery for the next 50 years.

As we undertake this important Monastery Restoration campaign, please accept our profound gratitude for your past support and your current contributions. In Buddhism, dana is the first of the Six Perfections. From the beginning, practitioners at Buddhist temples and centers have relied on donations from Sangha members and the wider community in order to offer the Dharma. We ask you now to join us in our effort to restore, preserve and upgrade our shared precious resource. Any amount you can contribute would be greatly appreciated.

Please visit the Monastery Restoration page under the Donate menu at zenstudies.org for additional detail and progress updates. We also invite you to join us on a journey through the DBZ Monastery Video Series and explore the Monastery Restoration Brochure.