Teachers were nice when attending a paid for retreat. However, I felt extremely discriminated and uncomfortable when visiting as a guest. I was one of the few people of color and perhaps it was my skin color, the way I dressed (not fancy at all), or my brown eyes, but it was ironic and opposed the whole idea of mindfulness and the philosophy of Buddhism itself. Another time, I actually did pay, but a female teacher with blue eyes assumed I did not and was about to disbar me from going into one of the areas that our teacher told us to take a lunch break in had this teacher not told her I paid. I felt extremely hurt because I am a native SF Buddhist and just could not believe this type of discrimination to occur in a Zen Center (of all places!!!) and coming from a teacher in San Francisco (one of the most progressive cities in the world?!). SFZC could definitely do so much better. We could do better. Then, perhaps, these teachings will not just be taught or learned, but enacted in daily life and maybe there could be less brutality, less hate, and less heartbreak.

At SFZC, everyone is welcome. This is my experience. I attended a sewing sesshin for 3 days, staying in the student housing, eating and meditating with the community. The sewing priest/instructor (Tim Wicks) is an amazing teacher, as well as a real human being. He could not have been more supportive or kind and was this way with everyone who walked through his sewing room door, keeping track of everyone's process, stage in sewing, and gently guiding each. Tim is a treasure and what he teaches in the sewing is Zen practice, from the ground (actually, the basement) up. Important work. I hope he knows this. The sewing sesshin included people from all over the world, with former, very experienced sewing teachers, new sewing teachers in training and resident Zen students all there to support the process. A group of total strangers became Sangha in that sewing room. The support was so touching. I carry them all with me. It was an inspiring sesshin and for me, an impressive example of a Zen Center. Everyone at SFZC was friendly, kind, helpful whenever I had questions. The food, not meant to be indulgently good, was generally delicious. My bedroom was simple, clean and comfortable. The dorm bathroom was clean and functional. The zendo, Buddha hall, library, and bookstore each have their immeasurable charms and gifts. I highly recommend SFZC for anyone, Zen student or not, who wants a safe, welcoming place to stay in the City. The building is a Julia Morgan masterpiece by the way, with an amazing history. Of course, SFZC's history in Zen in America, the lineage and legacy of Suzuki Roshi, is profound and rich. And if you are lucky enough to be sewing a rakusu or okesa, you will find yourself in the sewing room, with a real, authentic human being for a sewing teacher.... Together... one stitch at a time.

I’ve been staying here for one week and LOVE my experience! The people are great, the rooms are tidy, the food is vegetarian and healthy and delicious, the location is perfect, and the group sitting meditations (optional) are a really cool experience. I highly recommend to any curious and open visitors to San Francisco

The place is coasting on waves of excellent PR. My guest stay was awful. Teri Cota, the director of work, was the worst kind of manager; while not a monastic she embodied the most terrible stereotypes of BAD NUN: sneering, superior, arrogant AND terribly horribly stupid. The place stonewalls against facts and for its fantasy of itself. It felt cultish in the the never ending loops of nonsense group think. Every single detail that they could have gotten wrong..they got wrong and then they doubled down. And then they congratulated themselves . The zen center failed at..but not limited to: Taking payment Basic housekeeping Basic scheduling Explaining rules Living the Buddhist way without arrogance Teri Kota in particular was ..without exception vicious, incompetent , hapless and obnoxious But the abbot was the worst stereotype of a man in love with himself.

A true island of calm reassurance. For the seeker in all of us there is a place on the edge of Hayes Valley on the corner of page and Steiner. A couple of buildings who’s silence beckons the need to be be-long, the need to be-quiet, the need to be. The Zen Buddhists have a sanctuary that has opened its arms for decades. For the beginner there are classes, for the struggling there are meditation in recovery meetings for the advanced there just is. There just is. From the concepts of mindfulness to the real benefits of living a life from a loving and kind perspective there is hope of understanding. For the students there are noble truths just four of them that lay the path. For the student still the path is lit by 8 ways to live life. The 8 fold path lightens your heart. For the zen purists there is the sound of the tree falling alone. The quietude of nothing fills the heart of everyone who walks into this very special place, into a very beautiful zendo to hear the gong and the silence continue forever and ever and ever smiling a little smile only just perceived at the corners of the would be Buddha’s mouth. Welcome now for you are home at last. Have a cookie and a sit and leave a dollar if you can for The riches you seek are found in here not out there.

In 1981, I was taken care of by Mrs. Suzuki, who is very kind. Thank you very much.

I really like the San Francisco Zen Center. I visited sometime earlier this year and decided to visit again today to check out more of the public programs. So I went to the service at 10am and then they had question and answer at 11am and then they have lunch at 12pm..They ask for suggested donations of $10. The lunch is nice. It was soup, salad, rice, and bread. It was gourmet. The Zen Center has a special crowd and they look nice. They look like yuppies and granola types. They have Zen priests and I met like 2 or 3 zen priests. The center has an interior and not much of a park atmosphere. It has a sunny courtyard. People meet, congregate, and chat. It's open and friendly. The service is really quiet and I asked for some resources about how to get immersed in Buddhism because that's my goal. I was reminded when I bumped into Thai Buddhist monks this week near Lanna Thai. This is not to say that I have given up on being a Ignatian Catholic, but well, I'll see what adventures I find with BOOTYISM!

I visited the famous Zen meditation facility that Steve Jobs attended for 30 years, and I was overwhelmed by the atmosphere and the content of Zen!!

Real Zen temple, with morning meditations anf bells ringing at 5am. This is not just a place to stay, this is full experience. And people here are really heartful honouring all living beeings. Beats any "normal" hotel easyly.

I did two weeks of guest student program . Our leader Chris was great , beautiful building filled with amazing art .... Five and a half days a week of lots of zazen ( sitting meditation) some light soji ( temple cleaning) about five hours per day of light general work.... Wonderful food , beautiful zen services

Thank you for a welcoming stay. People were friendly, food was really good, and the facility was beautiful. They let us keep our stuff there until we were ready to leave the city. We will definitely stay here again.

Beautiful art displays: permanent and rotating collections; Lots of Zen classes to sign up for; a dharma talk & service on Sat that anyone can attend. They have a residential program where people can go to learn more about Zen.

It's closed due corona pandemic for the last 2 years

Wonderful place to get meditation instruction