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{{Infobox Buddhist temple
{{Infobox religious building
| name = Green Gulch Farm Zen Center
| name = Green Gulch Farm Zen Center
| native_name =
| img = Green Gulch Farm zendo (or, Green Dragon Temple).jpg
| image = Green Gulch Farm zendo (or, Green Dragon Temple).jpg
| img_size =
| image_size =
⚫
| img_capt = Green Dragon Temple (or, Soryu-Ji)
| landscape =
| alt =
⚫
| caption = Green Dragon Temple (or, Sōryu-ji)
⚫
| denomination = [[Soto Zen]]
| map_type =
| founded = 1972
| closed =
| map_size =
| map_alt =
⚫
| founder = [[San Francisco Zen Center]]<br>[[Zentatsu Richard Baker|Richard Baker]]
| map_caption =
| teacher =
⚫
| location = 1601 Shoreline Highway, [[Muir Beach, California]] 94965
| director =
| roshi =
| coordinates =
⚫
| religious_affiliation = [[Soto Zen]]
| abbot = Myogen Steve Stücky<br>[[Paul Haller]]
| deity =
| priest = [[Reb Anderson]]<br>[[Jiko Linda Cutts]]
⚫
| country = [[United States of America|USA]]
| rinpoche =
| reverend =
| functional_status =
⚫
| website = http://www.sfzc.org
⚫
| address = 1601 Shoreline Highway, [[Muir Beach, California]] 94965
⚫
| founded_by = [[San Francisco Zen Center]]<br>[[Zentatsu Richard Baker|Richard Baker]]
⚫
| country = [[United States of America|USA]]
| year_completed = 1972
⚫
| website = http://www.sfzc.org/ggf/default.asp
}}
}}
'''Green Gulch Farm Zen Center''', or '''Soryu-ji''' (''meaning'' '''Green Dragon Temple''') is a [[Soto Zen]] practice center located near [[Muir Beach, California]] that practices in the lineage of [[Shunryu Suzuki]]. In addition to its Zen training program, the center also manages an [[organic farm]] and [[garden]]s. Founded in 1972 by the [[San Francisco Zen Center]] and [[Zentatsu Richard Baker]], the site is located on {{convert|115|acre|km2}} in a [[valley]] seventeen miles (27&nbsp;km) north of [[San Francisco]]<ref name="mccormick">McCormick, 45</ref> and offers a variety of workshops and classes throughout the year. The land is an [[inholding]] of the [[Golden Gate National Recreation Area]] and has much wildlife within its borders.<ref name="mccormick"/> In addition to meditation retreats, offerings include classes and workshops on the [[Japanese tea ceremony]] and [[gardening]].<ref name="cooper">Cooper, 233</ref> While Green Gulch Farm has a residential [[monastery]] and retreat center, guest house, and conference center<ref name="ricci">Ricci, 14-15</ref>, it has also become recognized as a place where organic farmers can come to learn the tools of their trade.<ref name="davis">Davis, 170</ref> One of the original [[architect]]s of the gardens at Green Gulch was the renowned late [[horticulturist]] [[Alan Chadwick]]—who had introduced the [[biodynamic farming]] techniques influenced by [[Rudolf Steiner]] on the farm.<ref name="davis"/> Chadwick's grave is marked by a [[stupa]] on site.<ref name="mccormick"/> Author Fenton Johnson writes that Green Gulch Farm, "...serve[s] as a model for living on the land in the context of a Zen Buddhist practice."<ref>Johnson, 54</ref>
'''Green Gulch Farm Zen Center''', or '''Sōryu-ji''' (蒼龍寺 ''[[Azure Dragon|Green Dragon]] Temple'') is a [[Soto Zen]] practice center located near [[Muir Beach, California]], that practices in the lineage of [[Shunryu Suzuki]]. In addition to its Zen training program, the center also manages an [[organic farm]] and [[garden]]s. Founded in 1972 by the [[San Francisco Zen Center]] and [[Zentatsu Richard Baker]], the site is located on {{convert|115|acre|km2}} in a [[valley]] seventeen miles (27&nbsp;km) north of [[San Francisco]]<ref name="mccormick">McCormick, 45</ref> and offers a variety of workshops and classes throughout the year. The land is an [[inholding]] of the [[Golden Gate National Recreation Area]] and has much wildlife within its borders.<ref name="mccormick"/> In addition to meditation retreats, offerings include classes and workshops on the [[Japanese tea ceremony]] and [[gardening]].<ref name="cooper">Cooper, 233</ref> While Green Gulch Farm has a residential [[monastery]] and retreat center, guest house, and conference center,<ref name="ricci">Ricci, 14-15</ref> it has also become recognized as a place where organic farmers can come to learn the tools of their trade.<ref name="davis">Davis, 170</ref> One of the original [[architect]]s of the gardens at Green Gulch was the renowned late [[horticulturist]] [[Alan Chadwick]]—who had introduced the [[biodynamic farming]] techniques influenced by [[Rudolf Steiner]] on the farm.<ref name="davis"/> Chadwick's grave is marked by a [[stupa]] on site.<ref name="mccormick"/> Author Fenton Johnson writes that Green Gulch Farm, "...serve[s] as a model for living on the land in the context of a Zen Buddhist practice."<ref>Johnson, 54</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[Image:Green Gulch Farm (gardens).jpg|thumb|left|150px|The fruit, herb and flower gardens.]]
[[File:Green Gulch Farm (gardens).jpg|thumb|left|150px|The fruit, herb and flower gardens.]]
Before his death in 1971, [[Shunryu Suzuki]] had asked that his sole [[Dharma heir]]—[[Zentatsu Richard Baker]]—look for a farm near the [[San Francisco Bay area]] where a lay community of practitioners could live amongst one another. When Baker had found just such a place at Green Gulch Farm, some members of the [[San Francisco Zen Center]] were hesitant to commit themselves initially to such an endeavor. But Baker saw the area as a place for [[communal living]], where entire families could come together and live as they practiced [[Zen Buddhism]] together. So, in the spring of 1972, the farm area was purchased from [[rancher]] George Wheelwright (a co-founder of [[Polaroid Corporation|Polaroid]]).<ref name="oda">Oda, 13-14</ref><ref name="richmond">Richmond, xiii</ref> Part of the agreement attached to this sale was the San Francisco Zen Center's commitment to Wheelwright that it would always remain open to the public and engage in agricultural awareness.<ref name="mccormick"/> Community members quickly held various [[fundraising]] efforts and constructed their new community, converting a [[barn|hay barn]] into the [[zendo]], caring for the land, and building houses.<ref name="oda"/>
Before his death in 1971, [[Shunryu Suzuki]] had asked that his sole [[Dharma heir]]—[[Zentatsu Richard Baker]]—look for a farm near the [[San Francisco Bay area]] where a lay community of practitioners could live amongst one another. When Baker had found just such a place at Green Gulch Farm, some members of the [[San Francisco Zen Center]] were hesitant to commit themselves initially to such an endeavor. But Baker saw the area as a place for [[communal living]], where entire families could come together and live as they practiced [[Zen Buddhism]] together. So, in the spring of 1972, the farm area was purchased from [[rancher]] George Wheelwright (a co-founder of [[Polaroid Corporation|Polaroid]]).<ref name="oda">Oda, 13-14</ref><ref name="richmond">Richmond, xiii</ref> Part of the agreement attached to this sale was the San Francisco Zen Center's commitment to Wheelwright that it would always remain open to the public and engage in agricultural awareness.<ref name="mccormick"/> Community members quickly held various [[fundraising]] efforts and constructed their new community, converting a [[barn|hay barn]] into the [[zendo]], caring for the land, and building houses.<ref name="oda"/>
[[Image:Harvesting (Green Gulch farm).jpg|thumb|right|150px|Harvesting the vegetable farm.]]
[[File:Harvesting (Green Gulch farm).jpg|thumb|right|150px|Harvesting the vegetable farm.]]
Green Gulch is particularly concerned with the effects that human beings are having on [[nature]]. They hold the philosophy that humans need to protect the environment from us, not the other way around. They do this with religious texts as the basis of such philosophy.<ref>Alpert, 116</ref> [[Architect]] Sim Van der Ryn created his first [[composting toilet]] for Green Gulch Farm in 1974, built by [[David Chadwick (writer)|David Chadwick]] and Ken Sawyer.<ref>The Toilet Papers, 65</ref> Stuart Cowan writes, "The first composter was built in a house at Green Gulch Farm, a Buddhist retreat in nearby Marin County. Soon Sim's neighbor built one, and people started calling for plans. The virtues of the system were that it saved ten to fifteen thousand gallons of water that otherwise would disappear down the toilet each year; it reduced the need for large leach fields, and it literally made people responsible for their own shit, an idea that was attractive to libertarians, organic purists, outlaw builders, and people engaged in reexamining and redesigning all aspects of their daily lives."<ref name="vanderryn">Ecological Design, 70-71</ref>
Green Gulch is particularly concerned with the effects that human beings are having on [[nature]]. They hold the philosophy that humans need to protect the environment from us, not the other way around. They do this with religious texts as the basis of such philosophy.<ref>Alpert, 116</ref> [[Architect]] [[Sim Van der Ryn]] created his first [[composting toilet]] for Green Gulch Farm in 1974, built by [[David Chadwick (writer)|David Chadwick]] and Ken Sawyer.<ref>The Toilet Papers, 65</ref> Stuart Cowan writes, "The first composter was built in a house at Green Gulch Farm, a Buddhist retreat in nearby Marin County. Soon Sim's neighbor built one, and people started calling for plans. The virtues of the system were that it saved ten to fifteen thousand gallons of water that otherwise would disappear down the toilet each year; it reduced the need for large leach fields, and it literally made people responsible for their own excrement, an idea that was attractive to libertarians, organic purists, outlaw builders, and people engaged in reexamining and redesigning all aspects of their daily lives."<ref name="vanderryn">Ecological Design, 70-71</ref>
[[Image:Lindisfarne Guesthouse (Green Gulch Farm).jpg|thumb|left|150px|Lindisfarne Guest House]]
[[File:Lindisfarne Guesthouse (Green Gulch Farm).jpg|thumb|left|150px|Lindisfarne Guest House]]
Green Gulch operates, in addition to the Zen center, a 7 or {{convert|8|acre|m2|sing=on}} [[organic farm|organic]] vegetable farm and a 1 to {{convert|1.5|acre|m2|sing=on}} fruit, herb and flower garden.<ref name="lage">Lage, 72</ref> The fruit, herb and flower garden is, "arranged in a series of 'rooms' in the formal English style. In the bowl of the valley is the core of the gardens: an herbal circle of shrubs, roses and perennials, enclosed by a yew hedge with rose arbors and paths out to the larger garden. At the center of the circle is a Japanese snowbell (''Styrax japonica'') encircled by herbs and lichen-covered rocks."<ref name="mccormick"/> The garden is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., though groups of more than six should call before arriving. Volunteers, also, are welcome to help cultivate the garden on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (again, call in advance).<ref name="joyce">Joyce, 71-72</ref> The vegetable farm sustains the community living at Green Gulch and also sells its produce at various local [[farmers market]]s and to [[whole foods]] stores.<ref name="mccormick"/><ref>Pierce, 375</ref> Green Gulch Farm also provides [[organic produce]] from the vegetable farm around the year to [[Greens Restaurant]] in [[San Francisco]], a [[vegetarian]] restaurant where Annie Somerville is executive chef.<ref>Imhoff, 220</ref>
Green Gulch operates, in addition to the Zen center, a 7 or {{convert|8|acre|m2|adj=on}} [[organic farm|organic]] vegetable farm and a 1 to {{convert|1.5|acre|m2|adj=on}} fruit, herb and flower garden.<ref name="lage">Lage, 72</ref> The fruit, herb and flower garden is, "arranged in a series of 'rooms' in the formal English style. In the bowl of the valley is the core of the gardens: an herbal circle of shrubs, roses and perennials, enclosed by a yew hedge with rose arbors and paths out to the larger garden. At the center of the circle is a Japanese snowbell (''Styrax japonica'') encircled by herbs and lichen-covered rocks."<ref name="mccormick"/> The garden is open daily from 9:00&nbsp;a.m. to 4:00&nbsp;p.m., though groups of more than six should call before arriving. Volunteers, also, are welcome to help cultivate the garden on Tuesdays from 9:00&nbsp;a.m. to 12:00&nbsp;p.m. (again, call in advance).<ref name="joyce">Joyce, 71-72</ref> The vegetable farm sustains the community living at Green Gulch and also sells its produce at various local [[farmers market]]s and to [[whole foods]] stores.<ref name="mccormick"/><ref>Pierce, 375</ref> Green Gulch Farm also provides [[organic produce]] from the vegetable farm around the year to [[Greens Restaurant]] in [[San Francisco]], a [[vegetarian]] restaurant where Annie Somerville is executive chef.<ref>Imhoff, 220</ref>
[[Image:Tea garden (Green Gulch farm).jpg|thumb|right|175px|Tea garden]]
[[File:Tea garden (Green Gulch farm).jpg|thumb|right|175px|Tea garden]]
Every Sunday Green Gulch opens to the public, beginning with [[zazen]] at 8:15 a.m., followed by a lecture at 10:15 a.m., tea at 11:15 a.m., and finally lunch at 12:45 p.m. (donations are suggested for these events).<ref>Jordan, 44</ref> The Green Gulch nursery and garden are open seven days a week, and throughout the year many classes are offered on [[gardening]], [[pruning]], [[flower arrangement]] and herb culture. Admission is free, though parking space is limited and a fee is associated unless your car has three or more occupants.<ref name="joyce"/> During the summer Green Gulch also offers an [[apprenticeship]] program for those interested in becoming organic farmers.<ref name="ricci"/> Carmen Yuen writes, "The apprentices put nonviolence and mindfulness into action as they work. When digging the soil, they are careful not to expose the worms and split them in half—even if they will regenerate!"<ref>Yuen, 98</ref> Guest houses include the Lindisfarne Guest House and the Wheelright Center. Lindisfarne is in the shape of an [[octagon]], complete with twelve rooms, six baths and an [[Atrium (architecture)|atrium]] with a [[woodburning stove]] where guests can come to read or for conversation; Lindisfarne's kitchen offers its guests tea and snacks. For larger families, the Wheelwright Center has larger living areas for families and a [[suite]] equipped with a kitchen.<ref name="ricci"/> At the Mountain Gate Study Center, classes in Buddhist practice and philosophy are offered.<ref name="cooper"/>
Every Sunday Green Gulch opens to the public, beginning with [[zazen]] at 8:15&nbsp;a.m., followed by a lecture at 10:15&nbsp;a.m., tea at 11:15&nbsp;a.m., and finally lunch at 12:45&nbsp;p.m. (donations are suggested for these events).<ref>Jordan, 44</ref> The Green Gulch nursery and garden are open seven days a week, and throughout the year many classes are offered on [[gardening]], [[pruning]], [[flower arrangement]] and herb culture. Admission is free, though parking space is limited and a fee is associated unless your car has three or more occupants.<ref name="joyce"/> During the summer Green Gulch also offers an [[apprenticeship]] program for those interested in becoming organic farmers.<ref name="ricci"/> Carmen Yuen writes, "The apprentices put nonviolence and mindfulness into action as they work. When digging the soil, they are careful not to expose the worms and split them in half—even if they will regenerate!"<ref>Yuen, 98</ref> Guest houses include the Lindisfarne Guest House and the Wheelright Center. Lindisfarne is in the shape of an [[octagon]], complete with twelve rooms, six baths and an [[Atrium (architecture)|atrium]] with a [[woodburning stove]] where guests can come to read or for conversation; Lindisfarne's kitchen offers its guests tea and snacks. For larger families, the Wheelwright Center has larger living areas for families and a [[suite (address)|suite]] equipped with a kitchen.<ref name="ricci"/> At the Mountain Gate Study Center, classes in Buddhist practice and philosophy are offered.<ref name="cooper"/>
[[Image:Muir Beach from Green Gulch Farm.jpg|thumb|left|150px|View of [[Muir Beach]]]]
[[File:Muir Beach from Green Gulch Farm.jpg|thumb|left|150px|View of [[Muir Beach]]]]
As of 2006, Green Gulch Farm plans to team up with the [[National Park Service]] to help restore [[Muir Beach]] to its original beauty. They will apparently remove the parking lot area — which was originally [[wetlands]] — in order to restore the area to its original condition.<ref>Surfer Magazine, 39</ref> Additionally, author Andrew Ferguson was inspired to write the book ''Zen's Chinese Heritage: The Masters and Their Teachings'' by having attended public [[koan]] classes offered at Green Gulch Farm. He has written, "For many years, Tenshin Reb Anderson has offered a 'Monday night class' on Thomas Cleary's translation of the ''Book of Serenity'' for the benefit of his students and other serious participants. In the manner of the Zen ancients, Tenshin has raised the ancient cases for public viewing. This is a style of Zen practice whereby students may realize their own personal understandings, and then set them forth for others to see, to taste, and to test."<ref>Ferguson, xxi</ref>
As of 2006, Green Gulch Farm plans to team up with the [[National Park Service]] to help restore [[Muir Beach]] to its original beauty. They will apparently remove the parking lot area — which was originally [[wetlands]] — in order to restore the area to its original condition.<ref>Surfer Magazine, 39</ref>


==Resident teachers==
==Resident teachers==
⚫
*Tenshin Reb Anderson, Senior Dharma Teacher
*Myogen Steve Stücky
*Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, abiding Abbot
⚫
*[[Tenshin Reb Anderson]]
*[[Jiko Linda Cutts]]
*Jiko Eijun Linda Ruth Cutts
⚫
*Meiya Wender
*Furyu Nancy Schroeder
*Furyu Nancy Schroeder
*Thiemo Blank, Director
⚫
*Carolyn Cavanagh
*Sonja Gardenswartz
*Luminous Owl Henkel
*Emila Heller
*Daigan Lueck
*Sukey Parmelee
*Shinko Rick Slone
⚫
*Carolyn Kavanaugh
*Mick Sopko
*Mick Sopko
*Sara Tashker
⚫
*[[Wendy Johnson]] - gardener emeritus
*Steve Weintraub
⚫
*Meiya Wender, Godo
⚫
*Wendy Johnson - non-resident gardener emeritus


==See also==
==See also==
Line 52: Line 55:
*[[Timeline of Zen Buddhism in the United States]]
*[[Timeline of Zen Buddhism in the United States]]
*[[Spiritual ecology]]
*[[Spiritual ecology]]

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==External links==
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{{Commons category|Green Gulch Farm|position=left}}<br style="clear:both" />


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}
* http://claremontjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Buddhism-and-American-Consumerism-Religious-Identity-as-Protest-by-Natasha-L.-Mikles.pdf

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==External links==
⚫
{{Commons category|Green Gulch Farm|position=left}}{{clear}}


==References==
==References==
*{{cite book| last =Alpert| first =Rebecca| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Voices Of The Religious Left: A Contemporary Sourcebook| publisher =Temple University Press| year =2000| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/41832841&referer=brief_results| doi =| id = | isbn = 1566397561}}
*{{cite book| last =Alpert| first =Rebecca| title =Voices Of The Religious Left: A Contemporary Sourcebook| publisher =Temple University Press| year =2000| isbn = 1-56639-756-1| oclc =41832841}}
*{{cite book| last =Cooper| first =Ann| authorlink =| coauthors =Holmes, Lisa M.| title =Bitter Harvest: A Chef's Perspective on the Hidden Dangers in the Foods We Eat and What You Can Do About It| publisher =Routledge| year =2000| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?qt=worldcat_org_all&q=0415922275| doi =| id = | isbn = 0415922275}}
*{{cite book| last =Cooper| first =Ann| author2 =Holmes, Lisa M.| title =Bitter Harvest: A Chef's Perspective on the Hidden Dangers in the Foods We Eat and What You Can Do About It| publisher =Routledge| year =2000| url =https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780415922272| isbn =0-415-92227-5}}
*{{cite book| last =Davis| first =Erik| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =The Visionary State: A Journey Through California's Spiritual Landscape| publisher =Chronicle Books| year =2006| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=0811848353&=Search&qt=owc_search| doi =| id = | isbn = 0811848353}}
*{{cite book| last =Davis| first =Erik| title =The Visionary State: A Journey Through California's Spiritual Landscape| publisher =Chronicle Books| year =2006| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=0811848353&=Search&qt=owc_search| isbn = 0-8118-4835-3}}
*{{cite book| last =Ferguson| first =Andrew| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Zen's Chinese Heritage: The Masters and Their Teachings| publisher =Wisdom Publications| year =2000| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=0861711637&=Search&qt=owc_search| doi =| id = | isbn = 0861711637}}
*{{cite book| last =Ferguson| first =Andrew| title =Zen's Chinese Heritage: The Masters and Their Teachings| publisher =Wisdom Publications| year =2000| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=0861711637&=Search&qt=owc_search| isbn = 0-86171-163-7}}
*{{cite book| last =Imhoff| first =Dan| authorlink =| coauthors =Baumgartner, Jo Ann| title =Farming and the Fate of Wild Nature: Essays on Conservation-based Agriculture| publisher =University of California Press| year =2006| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=0970950039&=Search&qt=owc_search| doi =| id = | isbn = 0970950039}}
*{{cite book| last =Imhoff| first =Dan|author2=Baumgartner, Jo Ann| title =Farming and the Fate of Wild Nature: Essays on Conservation-based Agriculture| publisher =University of California Press| year =2006| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=0970950039&=Search&qt=owc_search| isbn = 0-9709500-3-9}}
*{{cite book| last =Johnson| first =Fenton| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Keeping Faith: A Skeptic's Journey| publisher =Mariner Books| year =2004| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=0618492372&=Search&qt=owc_search| doi =| id = | isbn = 0618492372}}
*{{cite book| last =Johnson| first =Fenton| title =Keeping Faith: A Skeptic's Journey| publisher =Mariner Books| year =2004| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=0618492372&=Search&qt=owc_search| isbn = 0-618-49237-2}}
*{{cite book| last =Jordan| first =Michele Anna| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Veg Out Vegetarian Guide to San Francisco Bay Area| publisher =Gibbs Smith| year =2004| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/54407464&referer=brief_results| doi =| id = | isbn = 158685383X}}
*{{cite book| last =Jordan| first =Michele Anna| title =Veg Out Vegetarian Guide to San Francisco Bay Area| publisher =Gibbs Smith| year =2004| url =https://archive.org/details/vegoutvegetarian00jord| isbn =1-58685-383-X}}
*{{cite book| last =Joyce| first =Alice| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Gardenwalks in California: Beautiful Gardens from San Diego to Mendocino| publisher =Globe Pequot| date =| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=0762736666&=Search&qt=owc_search| doi =| id = | isbn = 0762736666}}
*{{cite book| last =Joyce| first =Alice| title =Gardenwalks in California: Beautiful Gardens from San Diego to Mendocino| year =2005| publisher =Globe Pequot| url =https://archive.org/details/gardenwalksincal0000joyc| isbn =0-7627-3666-6| url-access =registration}}
*{{cite book| last =Lage| first =Jessica| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Trail Runner's Guide San Francisco Bay Area: 50 Runs Around the Bay| publisher =Wilderness Press| year =2003| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=0899973094&=Search&qt=owc_search| doi =| id = | isbn = 0899973094}}
*{{cite book| last =Lage| first =Jessica| title =Trail Runner's Guide San Francisco Bay Area: 50 Runs Around the Bay| publisher =Wilderness Press| year =2003| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=0899973094&=Search&qt=owc_search| isbn = 0-89997-309-4}}
*{{cite book| last =Loundon| first =Sumi| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =The Buddha's Apprentices: More Voices of Young Buddhists| publisher =Wisdom publications| year =2006| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?qt=worldcat_org_all&q=086171332X| doi =| id = | isbn = 086171332X}}
*{{cite book| last =Loundon| first =Sumi| title =The Buddha's Apprentices: More Voices of Young Buddhists| publisher =Wisdom publications| year =2006| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?qt=worldcat_org_all&q=086171332X| isbn = 0-86171-332-X}}
*{{cite book| last =McCormick| first =Kathleen| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =The Garden Lover's Guide to the West| publisher =Princeton Architectural Press| year =2000| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=156898166X&=Search&qt=owc_search| doi =| id = | isbn = 156898166X}}
*{{cite book| last =McCormick| first =Kathleen| title =The Garden Lover's Guide to the West| publisher =Princeton Architectural Press| year =2000| url =https://archive.org/details/gardenloversguid00mcco| isbn =1-56898-166-X}}
*{{cite book| last =Miller| first =Joanne| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Best Places Destinations Marin| publisher =Sasquatch Books| year =2002| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=1570613230&=Search&qt=owc_search| doi =| id = | isbn = 1570613230}}
*{{cite book| last =Miller| first =Joanne| title =Best Places Destinations Marin| publisher =Sasquatch Books| year =2002| url =https://archive.org/details/bestplacesdestin0000unse| isbn =1-57061-323-0}}
*{{cite book| last =Oda| first =Mayumi| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =I Opened the Gate, Laughing: An Inner Journey| publisher =Chronicle Books| year =2002| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=0811833860&=Search&qt=owc_search| doi =| id = | isbn = 0811833860}}
*{{cite book| last =Oda| first =Mayumi| title =I Opened the Gate, Laughing: An Inner Journey| publisher =Chronicle Books| year =2002| url =https://archive.org/details/iopenedgatelaugh00odam_0| isbn =0-8118-3386-0}}
*{{cite book| last =Pierce| first =Pam| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Golden Gate Gardening: Year-Round Food Gardening in the San Francisco Bay| publisher =Sasquatch Books| year =1998| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=157061136X&=Search&qt=owc_search| doi =| id = | isbn = 157061136X}}
*{{cite book| last =Pierce| first =Pam| title =Golden Gate Gardening: Year-Round Food Gardening in the San Francisco Bay| publisher =Sasquatch Books| year =1998| url =https://archive.org/details/goldengategarden00peir| isbn =1-57061-136-X}}
*{{cite book| last =Ricci| first =Jeanne| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Yoga Escapes: A Yoga Journal Guide to the Best Places to Relax, Reflect, and Renew| publisher =Yoga Journal ; Celestial Arts| year =2003| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=1587611872&=Search&qt=owc_search| doi =| id = | isbn = 1587611872}}
*{{cite book| last =Ricci| first =Jeanne| title =Yoga Escapes: A Yoga Journal Guide to the Best Places to Relax, Reflect, and Renew| publisher =Yoga Journal; Celestial Arts| year =2003| url =https://archive.org/details/yogaescapesyogaj00ricc| isbn =1-58761-187-2}}
*{{cite book| last =Richmond| first =Ivan| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Silence and Noise: Growing Up Zen in America| publisher =Simon and Schuster| date =| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=0743417550&=Search&qt=owc_search| doi =| id = | isbn = 0743417550}}
*{{cite book| last =Richmond| first =Ivan| title =Silence and Noise: Growing Up Zen in America| year =2003| publisher =Simon and Schuster| url =https://archive.org/details/silencenoisegrow00rich| isbn =0-7434-1755-0}}
*{{cite book| last =Surfer Magazine (editors)| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Surfer Magazine's Guide to Northern and Central California Surf Spots| publisher =Chronicle Books| year =2006| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=0811849988&=Search&qt=owc_search| doi =| id = | isbn = 0811849988}}
*{{cite book| last =Surfer Magazine (editors)| title =Surfer Magazine's Guide to Northern and Central California Surf Spots| publisher =Chronicle Books| year =2006| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=0811849988&=Search&qt=owc_search| isbn = 0-8118-4998-8}}
*{{cite book| last =Van der Ryn| first =Sim| authorlink =| coauthors =Cowan, Stuart| title =Ecological Design| publisher =Island Press| year =2007| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=1597261416&=Search&qt=owc_search| doi =| id = | isbn = 1597261416}}
*{{cite book| last =Van der Ryn| first =Sim|author2=Cowan, Stuart| title =Ecological Design| publisher =Island Press| year =2007| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=1597261416&=Search&qt=owc_search| isbn = 978-1-59726-141-8}}
*{{cite book| last =Van der Ryn| first =Sim| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =The Toilet Papers: Recycling Waste and Conserving Water| publisher =Chelsea Green Publishing/Ecological Design Press| year =1995| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=1890132586&=Search&qt=owc_search| doi =| id = | isbn = 1890132586}}
*{{cite book| last =Van der Ryn| first =Sim| title =The Toilet Papers: Recycling Waste and Conserving Water| publisher =Chelsea Green Publishing/Ecological Design Press| year =1995| url =https://archive.org/details/toiletpapersrecy0000vand| isbn =1-890132-58-6| url-access =registration}}
*{{cite book| last =Yuen| first =Carmen| authorlink = [[La Carmina]]| coauthors =| title =The Cosmos in a Carrot: A Zen Guide to Eating Well| publisher =Parallax Press| year =2006| location =| pages =| url =http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=1888375604&=Search&qt=owc_search| doi =| id = | isbn = 1888375604}}
*{{cite book| last =Yuen| first =Carmen| author-link =La Carmina| title =The Cosmos in a Carrot: A Zen Guide to Eating Well| publisher =Parallax Press| year =2006| url =https://archive.org/details/cosmosincarrotze0000yuen| isbn =1-888375-60-4| url-access =registration}}
*Green Zen, LLC. "Subscription Services for Green Gulch." *Green Zen*. Accessed October 10, 2023. http://www.greenzensubscription.com

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{{buddhism2}}
{{Buddhism topics}}
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[[Category:San Francisco Zen Center]]
[[Category:San Francisco Zen Center]]
[[Category:Buddhist temples in California]]
[[Category:Buddhist temples in California]]
[[Category:Zen centers]]
[[Category:Soto temples]]
[[Category:Environmentalism and religion]]
[[Category:Zen centers in California]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Marin County, California]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures in Marin County, California]]
[[Category:Farms in California]]
[[Category:Buddhism in the San Francisco Bay Area]]
[[Category:1972 establishments in California]]

Latest revision as of 23:49, 13 November 2024

Green Gulch Farm Zen Center
Green Dragon Temple (or, Sōryu-ji)
Religion
AffiliationSoto Zen
Location
Location1601 Shoreline Highway, Muir Beach, California 94965
CountryUSA
Architecture
FounderSan Francisco Zen Center
Richard Baker
Completed1972
Website
http://www.sfzc.org

Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, or Sōryu-ji (蒼龍寺 Green Dragon Temple) is a Soto Zen practice center located near Muir Beach, California, that practices in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki. In addition to its Zen training program, the center also manages an organic farm and gardens. Founded in 1972 by the San Francisco Zen Center and Zentatsu Richard Baker, the site is located on 115 acres (0.47 km2) in a valley seventeen miles (27 km) north of San Francisco[1] and offers a variety of workshops and classes throughout the year. The land is an inholding of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and has much wildlife within its borders.[1] In addition to meditation retreats, offerings include classes and workshops on the Japanese tea ceremony and gardening.[2] While Green Gulch Farm has a residential monastery and retreat center, guest house, and conference center,[3] it has also become recognized as a place where organic farmers can come to learn the tools of their trade.[4] One of the original architects of the gardens at Green Gulch was the renowned late horticulturist Alan Chadwick—who had introduced the biodynamic farming techniques influenced by Rudolf Steiner on the farm.[4] Chadwick's grave is marked by a stupa on site.[1] Author Fenton Johnson writes that Green Gulch Farm, "...serve[s] as a model for living on the land in the context of a Zen Buddhist practice."[5]

History

[edit]
The fruit, herb and flower gardens.

Before his death in 1971, Shunryu Suzuki had asked that his sole Dharma heir—Zentatsu Richard Baker—look for a farm near the San Francisco Bay area where a lay community of practitioners could live amongst one another. When Baker had found just such a place at Green Gulch Farm, some members of the San Francisco Zen Center were hesitant to commit themselves initially to such an endeavor. But Baker saw the area as a place for communal living, where entire families could come together and live as they practiced Zen Buddhism together. So, in the spring of 1972, the farm area was purchased from rancher George Wheelwright (a co-founder of Polaroid).[6][7] Part of the agreement attached to this sale was the San Francisco Zen Center's commitment to Wheelwright that it would always remain open to the public and engage in agricultural awareness.[1] Community members quickly held various fundraising efforts and constructed their new community, converting a hay barn into the zendo, caring for the land, and building houses.[6]

Harvesting the vegetable farm.

Green Gulch is particularly concerned with the effects that human beings are having on nature. They hold the philosophy that humans need to protect the environment from us, not the other way around. They do this with religious texts as the basis of such philosophy.[8] Architect Sim Van der Ryn created his first composting toilet for Green Gulch Farm in 1974, built by David Chadwick and Ken Sawyer.[9] Stuart Cowan writes, "The first composter was built in a house at Green Gulch Farm, a Buddhist retreat in nearby Marin County. Soon Sim's neighbor built one, and people started calling for plans. The virtues of the system were that it saved ten to fifteen thousand gallons of water that otherwise would disappear down the toilet each year; it reduced the need for large leach fields, and it literally made people responsible for their own excrement, an idea that was attractive to libertarians, organic purists, outlaw builders, and people engaged in reexamining and redesigning all aspects of their daily lives."[10]

Lindisfarne Guest House

Green Gulch operates, in addition to the Zen center, a 7 or 8-acre (32,000 m2) organic vegetable farm and a 1 to 1.5-acre (6,100 m2) fruit, herb and flower garden.[11] The fruit, herb and flower garden is, "arranged in a series of 'rooms' in the formal English style. In the bowl of the valley is the core of the gardens: an herbal circle of shrubs, roses and perennials, enclosed by a yew hedge with rose arbors and paths out to the larger garden. At the center of the circle is a Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonica) encircled by herbs and lichen-covered rocks."[1] The garden is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., though groups of more than six should call before arriving. Volunteers, also, are welcome to help cultivate the garden on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (again, call in advance).[12] The vegetable farm sustains the community living at Green Gulch and also sells its produce at various local farmers markets and to whole foods stores.[1][13] Green Gulch Farm also provides organic produce from the vegetable farm around the year to Greens Restaurant in San Francisco, a vegetarian restaurant where Annie Somerville is executive chef.[14]

Tea garden

Every Sunday Green Gulch opens to the public, beginning with zazen at 8:15 a.m., followed by a lecture at 10:15 a.m., tea at 11:15 a.m., and finally lunch at 12:45 p.m. (donations are suggested for these events).[15] The Green Gulch nursery and garden are open seven days a week, and throughout the year many classes are offered on gardening, pruning, flower arrangement and herb culture. Admission is free, though parking space is limited and a fee is associated unless your car has three or more occupants.[12] During the summer Green Gulch also offers an apprenticeship program for those interested in becoming organic farmers.[3] Carmen Yuen writes, "The apprentices put nonviolence and mindfulness into action as they work. When digging the soil, they are careful not to expose the worms and split them in half—even if they will regenerate!"[16] Guest houses include the Lindisfarne Guest House and the Wheelright Center. Lindisfarne is in the shape of an octagon, complete with twelve rooms, six baths and an atrium with a woodburning stove where guests can come to read or for conversation; Lindisfarne's kitchen offers its guests tea and snacks. For larger families, the Wheelwright Center has larger living areas for families and a suite equipped with a kitchen.[3] At the Mountain Gate Study Center, classes in Buddhist practice and philosophy are offered.[2]

View of Muir Beach

As of 2006, Green Gulch Farm plans to team up with the National Park Service to help restore Muir Beach to its original beauty. They will apparently remove the parking lot area — which was originally wetlands — in order to restore the area to its original condition.[17]

Resident teachers

[edit]
  • Tenshin Reb Anderson, Senior Dharma Teacher
  • Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, abiding Abbot
  • Jiko Eijun Linda Ruth Cutts
  • Furyu Nancy Schroeder
  • Thiemo Blank, Director
  • Sonja Gardenswartz
  • Emila Heller
  • Sukey Parmelee
  • Carolyn Kavanaugh
  • Mick Sopko
  • Sara Tashker
  • Steve Weintraub
  • Meiya Wender, Godo
  • Wendy Johnson - non-resident gardener emeritus

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f McCormick, 45
  2. ^ a b Cooper, 233
  3. ^ a b c Ricci, 14-15
  4. ^ a b Davis, 170
  5. ^ Johnson, 54
  6. ^ a b Oda, 13-14
  7. ^ Richmond, xiii
  8. ^ Alpert, 116
  9. ^ The Toilet Papers, 65
  10. ^ Ecological Design, 70-71
  11. ^ Lage, 72
  12. ^ a b Joyce, 71-72
  13. ^ Pierce, 375
  14. ^ Imhoff, 220
  15. ^ Jordan, 44
  16. ^ Yuen, 98
  17. ^ Surfer Magazine, 39
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Green Gulch Farm.

References

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37°51′56″N 122°33′50″W / 37.86556°N 122.56389°W / 37.86556; -122.56389

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