Our Mission

Welcome to the Zen Center of Los Angeles! Since its founding in 1967 by Taizan Maezumi Roshi, ZCLA Buddha Essence Temple has provided the teachings and practice of Zen Buddhism to all who come and go through its temple gate.

The Zen Center’s Mission is to provide the training and resources for realizing the interconnection of all life, to maintain the precepts and to embody the Three Tenets of Not-knowing, Bearing Witness and Taking Action that serves these goals. We provide the teaching, training and transmission of Zen Buddhism.

Our vision is an enlightened world free of suffering, in which the earth and all beings live in harmony, everyone has enough, deep wisdom is realized and compassion flows unhindered.

We affirm our intention to honor diversity and actively welcome all people, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, physical and mental ability, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socio-economic background. Our core values and core practices are listed in governance.

We observe a daily schedule of zazen, Buddhist services, and work. The Center’s training programs include introductory classes, sesshin, workshops and training periods, as well as face-to-face meetings with Zen Center teachers. We practice zazen and koan training in the Maezumi-Glassman lineage.