What we’re about
Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale invites everyone to the Beginner's Zen Meditation and Buddhism course, starting Wednesday January 14, 2026 at 7:30pm!
Drop-in guided meditation most Wednesdays at 7:25pm, all are welcome!
We offer Zen Meditation and Buddhism courses throughout the year (Separate classes in English, in Chinese, and for Family/Children) : Register Here
This free 20-week long sequential class is great for newcomers as well as those experienced with meditation and Buddhism, as it goes further in depth and is a prerequisite for more advanced courses. The class is led by fully ordained Buddhist nuns, and includes guided meditation as well as a lecture and Q&A.
Beginning Chan Meditation and Fundamental Concepts of Buddhism
The meditation portion of the class teaches breath-counting, mindfulness of the breath, and middle way reality. The lecture topics include the introduction to Buddhism and Chan (Zen), Karma and causality, the Four Noble Truths, Three Refuges and Five Precepts.
Ten weekly classes are offered at the Zen Center, including beginner's and advanced meditation courses, and separate classes are offered in Chinese and for children.
Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale is one of the branch temples of Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Taiwan, a leading center for Mahayana Buddhism and Zen (Chan). Activities offered include meditation classes and retreats, Chinese Buddhist Sunday services (ceremonies), vegetarian cooking classes, and more. Zen Buddhism teaches people how to attain inner peace and uncover the inherent wisdom within all of us. People of all backgrounds are welcome to discover Zen meditation at the Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale, nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley / South Bay. All activities are offered at no charge.
Buddha Gate Monastery (buddhagate.org) is the sister temple in East Bay (Lafayette) and also offers meditation groups and classes.
This unofficial meetup group is run by [SFZen.org](https://www.sfzen.org/) and lay supporters and friends of Chung Tai Zen Center; please visit www.sunnyvale.ctzen.org for official updates.
#buddhism #zen #meditation #mindfulness #free #course #chinese #temple #buddhist #sunnyvale
Featured event
Zen Meditation and Buddhism Course at Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale
Everyone is invited to the Chan Meditation and Fundamentals of Buddhism class at Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale!
This 20-week long sequential course includes guided meditation sessions as well as a lecture and Q&A from fully ordained Buddhist nuns.
- In English is Wednesdays at 7:30pm starting January 14, 2026
Please register directly with the Zen Center here
- In Chinese separately【太谷精舍】 2026年 新學期禪修班 準備開課囉
- For Children on Saturday evenings at 7pm
More info on the website:
https://sunnyvale.ctzen.org/wiki/classes/class-schedule/
Entrance is on Arques Ave, facing the fire station.
The same courses are also offered at the sister center, Buddha Gate Monastery in East Bay - Lafayette. (https://buddhagate.org/)
All events are offered at no charge.
More detailed course information:
### Meditation & Zen Buddhism Classes
Each class meets for two hours and consists of meditation practice (guided with instruction and quiet sitting time) in the first hour, and a lecture on Buddhist principles in the second hour.
### Level I: Beginning Chan Meditation and Fundamental Concepts of Buddhism
The meditation portion of the class teaches breath-counting, mindfulness of the breath, and middle way reality. The lecture topics include the introduction to Buddhism and Chan(Zen), Karma and causality, the Four Noble Truths, Three Refuges and Five Precepts.
Prerequisite: One Stick of Incense experience is recommended.
### Level II：Chan Meditation & Intermediate Buddhist Contemplation and Practices
The meditation portion builds on the previous methods and includes compassion contemplation. The lecture topics include the Ten Dharma Realms, Bodhisattva ideal, the six paramitas; the perfection of charity, morality, tolerance, diligence, meditation, and prajna wisdom.
Prerequisites: Completion of Level 1 Beginning Chan Meditation Class required.
### Level III：Chan Meditation & Advanced Buddhist Contemplation and Practices
The meditation portion builds on the Level 1 & 2 methods and includes the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. The lecture topics include the Ten Dharma Realms, Twelve Links of Interdependence, Four Foundations of Mindfulness, The Four Great Vows, and Four Ways of Bodhisattva Fellowship.
Prerequisites: Completion of Level 1 & Level 2 Classes required.
### Chan Meditation & Sutra Study
The meditation portion includes previous and additional meditation methods. The topics are from selected Buddhist scriptures such as The Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters, The Eight Realization of Great Beings, The Sutra of Impermanence, and The Essence of Mahayana Practice, etc.
Prerequisites: Completion of Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Classes required
### Bodhi Garden Meditation Class
Class designed for Parents with children/youth ages 4-14 to discover their inner wisdom and develop a positive outlook on life. The creatively designed curriculum includes meditation instructions, Dharma talks, Zen stories, character-building activities, and more. Students learn to sharpen their awareness and concentration and to appreciate the gifts of this world.
About Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale:
This tranquil meditation center in the heart of Silicon Valley is part of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, one of the largest Zen organizations in the world with the parent temple in Taiwan. Led by highly trained monastics who dedicate their life to Buddhist practice, classes at the Zen Center offer a unique opportunity to learn from qualified monks and nuns and for people to experience the refreshing viewpoint of Zen.
Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale
https://sunnyvale.ctzen.org/
750 East Arques Ave, Sunnyvale CA 94085
Upcoming events
3
Guided Zen Meditation and Sunnyvale Zen Center Open House
Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale, 750 E Arques Ave, Sunnyvale, CA, USChung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale invites you to a guided meditation and Open House: practice Zen meditation and mindfulness with Buddhist monastics right in the heart of Silicon Valley / San Francisco Bay Area.
REGISTER HERE
OPEN HOUSE at【Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale】.
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Morning session in Chinese：10:00 am - 12 pm
Afternoon session in English：1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
(Sign-in & Tour / Guided Meditation with a nun / Class Intro/ Student's sharing/ Snack)
The Zen Meditation and Buddhism Course starts Wednesday January 14, 2026 at 7:30pm in English (separate times in Chinese). It's a 20-week long free class, in person, that is great for everyone, whether you have little background in meditation or are an experienced mindfulness practitioner. Hope to see you there!
One Hour Guided Meditations:
Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale (South Bay): Wednesdays at 7:25pm
Buddha Gate Monastery in Lafayette (East Bay): Fridays at 7pm
Please arrive early. Socks are required. We start with a few minutes of chanting the Heart Sutra, followed by a 40 minute sit with guidance, and conclude with a dedication of merit. No experience necessary.
Where can we find peace of mind and true happiness? Zen meditation helps us attain an unbiased perception of reality. The key is to reflect inwardly. In this way, we can reach a clearer understanding of life’s difficulties with true wisdom and peace of mind as the result.
All activities at Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale and sister temple, Buddha Gate Monastery in Lafayette, are offered at no charge. Donations are welcome.
Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale 中台禪寺 太谷精舍:
https://sunnyvale.ctzen.org/
Buddha Gate Monastery (Lafayette) 佛門寺:
https://buddhagate.org/
阿彌陀佛!8 attendeesZen Meditation and Buddhism Course at Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale
Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale, 750 E Arques Ave, Sunnyvale, CA, USEveryone is invited to the Chan Meditation and Fundamentals of Buddhism class at Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale!
This 20-week long sequential course includes guided meditation sessions as well as a lecture and Q&A from fully ordained Buddhist nuns.
- In English is Wednesdays at 7:30pm starting January 14, 2026
Please register directly with the Zen Center here
- In Chinese separately【太谷精舍】 2026年 新學期禪修班 準備開課囉
- For Children on Saturday evenings at 7pm
More info on the website:
https://sunnyvale.ctzen.org/wiki/classes/class-schedule/
Entrance is on Arques Ave, facing the fire station.
The same courses are also offered at the sister center, Buddha Gate Monastery in East Bay - Lafayette. (https://buddhagate.org/)
All events are offered at no charge.
More detailed course information:
### Meditation & Zen Buddhism Classes
Each class meets for two hours and consists of meditation practice (guided with instruction and quiet sitting time) in the first hour, and a lecture on Buddhist principles in the second hour.
### Level I: Beginning Chan Meditation and Fundamental Concepts of Buddhism
The meditation portion of the class teaches breath-counting, mindfulness of the breath, and middle way reality. The lecture topics include the introduction to Buddhism and Chan(Zen), Karma and causality, the Four Noble Truths, Three Refuges and Five Precepts.
Prerequisite: One Stick of Incense experience is recommended.
### Level II：Chan Meditation & Intermediate Buddhist Contemplation and Practices
The meditation portion builds on the previous methods and includes compassion contemplation. The lecture topics include the Ten Dharma Realms, Bodhisattva ideal, the six paramitas; the perfection of charity, morality, tolerance, diligence, meditation, and prajna wisdom.
Prerequisites: Completion of Level 1 Beginning Chan Meditation Class required.
### Level III：Chan Meditation & Advanced Buddhist Contemplation and Practices
The meditation portion builds on the Level 1 & 2 methods and includes the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. The lecture topics include the Ten Dharma Realms, Twelve Links of Interdependence, Four Foundations of Mindfulness, The Four Great Vows, and Four Ways of Bodhisattva Fellowship.
Prerequisites: Completion of Level 1 & Level 2 Classes required.
### Chan Meditation & Sutra Study
The meditation portion includes previous and additional meditation methods. The topics are from selected Buddhist scriptures such as The Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters, The Eight Realization of Great Beings, The Sutra of Impermanence, and The Essence of Mahayana Practice, etc.
Prerequisites: Completion of Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Classes required
### Bodhi Garden Meditation Class
Class designed for Parents with children/youth ages 4-14 to discover their inner wisdom and develop a positive outlook on life. The creatively designed curriculum includes meditation instructions, Dharma talks, Zen stories, character-building activities, and more. Students learn to sharpen their awareness and concentration and to appreciate the gifts of this world.
About Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale:
This tranquil meditation center in the heart of Silicon Valley is part of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, one of the largest Zen organizations in the world with the parent temple in Taiwan. Led by highly trained monastics who dedicate their life to Buddhist practice, classes at the Zen Center offer a unique opportunity to learn from qualified monks and nuns and for people to experience the refreshing viewpoint of Zen.
Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale
https://sunnyvale.ctzen.org/
750 East Arques Ave, Sunnyvale CA 940857 attendees
Children and Family Meditation Class at Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale
Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale, 750 E Arques Ave, Sunnyvale, CA, USParent-Child Bodhi Mindfulness & Meditation Course
Kids classes are designed for children to practice mindfulness and calmness, and discover their inner wisdom and develop a positive outlook on life. The creatively designed curriculum includes guided meditation, Buddhist stories, games, and more. There is lots of fun to have in the joyous Zen world! Appropriate for around ages 5 - 14.
Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale and its sister temple, Buddha Gate Monastery in Lafayette, offer free Zen Meditation and Buddhism Classes throughout the year in both English and in Chinese, and both for adults and for children. The series of classes offers a structured and comprehensive curriculum that guides students to integrate the principles learned in class with practice in daily life.
- Bodhi Garden Children's Class at Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale is on select Saturdays at 7pm
- Bodhiseed and Bodhi Youth (Teens) classes at Buddha Gate Monastery in Lafayette is on Sunday afternoons
The adult meditation classes meet for 20 consecutive weeks each term - next course starts Wednesday January 14, 2026 at 7:30pm! Each class lasts for two hours and consists of guided meditation during the first hour and a lecture on Buddhist principles during the second hour. The curriculum provides:
- In-depth meditation guidance and instruction
- Understanding of fundamental Buddhist principles
- Topic-focused group discussions or workshops
- Advanced sutra studies at higher level classes
- Service-Learning Opportunities (volunteering) to put the principles into practice
Through proper Zen practice, we believe that anyone can attain true wisdom and inner peace, and be enlightened to their inherent pure nature. We welcome you to join our spiritual path.
All classes are free of charge. Your donations are deeply appreciated.
Please register in advance at
https://sunnyvale.ctzen.org/wiki/classes/class-schedule/
Visit SFZen.org for more events1 attendee
Past events
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