I have voluntarily agreed to visit  Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (the “Facility”) which is a practice center within the San Francisco Zen Center (“Zen Center”).

 I acknowledge the highly contagious nature of COVID-19. By signing this document, I voluntarily assume all risk of exposure, infection or other adverse consequences of COVID-19 arising out of my visit, including the period in transit to and from the Facility.  I further acknowledge that the term “risk”, as used in this release, includes exposure or infection that may result in my personal injury, illness, disability, and/or death. I understand that the risk may be caused by the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others, including, but not limited to, Zen Center’s or the Facility’s directors, officers, employees, teachers, residents, agents, and representatives, contractors and volunteers and visitors, and further including family members of such persons.  Accordingly, I understand and agree that this Release covers any claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of any and all persons listed in the preceding sentence, whether a COVID-19 infection may manifest itself. 

I understand that this document is written to be as broad and inclusive as legally permitted by the State of California.  I agree that should any portion be held invalid or unenforceable, I will continue to be bound by the remaining terms. 

I, the undersigned, have voluntarily chosen to travel to, visit and/or reside in the San Francisco Zen Center's Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Carmel Valley, California ("Tassajara").

Tassajara is located at the bottom of a gorge with steep rock walls.  At all times, both in the immediate area of Tassajara and in the surrounding areas, there is a high risk from land falls, falling rocks and boulders and, particularly after rainfall, flooding and injury associated with flooding. 

Tassajara is located in Los Padres National Forest, an area that has been subjected to frequent fires.  As a result, there is a significant risk to persons and property for those who may be resident at, or visiting, Tassajara. Smoke from fires in the region may cause unhealthy air quality which could adversely affect the health of residents and visitors.

In addition, the County Road that provides sole vehicular access to/from Tassajara may be impacted by fires, debris flows, heavy rain, rockfalls, flooding and hill failures rendering it difficult to negotiate and/or impassable.  Such conditions may seriously compromise access to, and egress from Tassajara, impeding or preventing evacuation and/or access to healthcare and other regular and emergency services.  

As consideration for being permitted by the San Francisco Zen Center to visit and use related facilities at Tassajara, I hereby agree that I, my assignees, heirs, distributees, guardians and legal representatives will make no claim against, or sue, or attach the property of San Francisco Zen Center, its employees, agents, or directors, on account of any physical or mental injury, accidents, illness (including death), economic loss, or damage to personal property resulting from the negligence or other acts, howsoever caused, by any employee, agent, director or contractor of the San Francisco Zen Center as a result of my presence in Tassajara and participation in the practice session at Tassajara, and/or my travel to/from Tassajara,  whether arising out of the risks described in this release or otherwise.  I hereby release the San Francisco Zen Center from all actions, claims, or demands that I, my assignees, heirs, distributees, guardians and legal representatives may now, or hereafter, have for physical or mental injury, accidents, illness (including death), economic loss, or damage to personal property arising out of the risks and conditions described in this Release.

I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS ASSUMPTION OF RISK, WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND RELEASE, AND I AM SIGNING IT FREELY.  I FULLY UNDERSTAND THE CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT AND THE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF SIGNING IT, INCLUDING (A) THE RELEASE OF THE SAN FRANCISCO ZEN CENTER, ITS EMPLOYEES, AGENTS AND DIRECTORS, FROM ALL LIABILITY, (B) WAIVER OF MY RIGHT TO SUE THE SAN FRANCISCO ZEN CENTER ITS EMPLOYEES, AGENTS AND DIRECTORS, AND (C) ASSUMPTION OF ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH MY PRESENCE AT TASSAJARA, INCLUDING TRAVEL TO AND FROM TASSAJARA.