Prairie Mountain Zen Center welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds. We seek to make Zen practice available to everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, political affiliation, economic class, sexual orientation, age, and ability. We recognize that the practice of sitting quietly with yourself, surrounded and supported by others doing the same, can benefit everyone. In our practice, we value both our differences and what we share.
Featured Events
"Something Universal"
On Sunday April 18 our speaker will be sangha member David Pavlacky. Nendo David Pavlacky began practicing at Prairie Mountain Zen Center in 2012, received lay ordination from Jodo-san in 2016, and recently completed a three-year term as board president. He works as a research scientist for a nonprofit conservation organization, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, and is a faculty affiliate at Colorado State University. On a personal note, David can often be found on wild rivers, bird watching, reading poetry and contemplating our connections to the natural world.
8:30 - 10:30 am MT. Zoom link
Two 20-minute sittings with walking meditation between.
Dharma talk at 9:30
“Blossoms Fall; Weeds Flourish”
Our guest speaker on Sunday April 25 will be Rev. Taiju Geri Wilimek, guiding teacher at Sokuji Zen Community, Bemidji MN. Geri received dharma transmission in 2015, so is pretty "new" to all of this! She began her dharma studies with a serious illness as her teacher in 1998. She is a wife, mom, grandma, clinical social worker, and dog lover. She is grateful for the wise guidance of her teachers, Shoshin Bob Kelly and Shoken Winecoff.
8:30 - 10:30 am MT. Zoom link
Two 20-minute sittings with walking meditation between.
Dharma talk at 9:30
"The Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti"
Five Thursdays in April
6:30 - 8:00 pm MT
6:30 Meditation
6:55 Break
7:00 Class
"The Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti" is considered one of the most influential of the Mahayana sutras. Vimalakirti is a layman, whose understanding and teaching of the Dharma is unparalleled. Rev. Jodo Cliff Clusin will touch on some highlights of this sutra during Thursday evening discussion periods in April. Attendees may wish to read The Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti translated by Robert Thurman, however, the discussions are open for all to consider the dharma even if you do not read the text nor attend the whole series.