Green Gulch Farm Zen Center - January Intensive Application

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Page 1

SAN FRANCISCO ZEN CENTER - Green Gulch Farm Zen Center

2026 January Intensive Application

January 6 - 27, 2026

Sample January Intensive Schedule

4:25 a.m.	Wake-up bell	12:15 p.m.	Oryoki Lunch
5:00	Zazen	1:00	Break
5:40	Kinhin	1:50	Work Meeting
5:50	Zazen	4:00	End of Work
6:30	Morning Service	5:50	Zazen
7:00	Oryoki Breakfast	6:10	Evening Service
7:50	Break	6:20	Dinner in Dining Room
9:00	Dharma Class or Zazen	7:50	Zazen
10:50	Zazen after Class	8:25	Three Refuges
12:00	Noon Service	9:00	Firewatch

Fields marked with an * asterisk are required.

Personal Information

First Name

Last Name

Date of Birth

Use month/day/year with 4-digit year

Phone (Cell)

Alternate Phone

I identify my gender as (for housing purposes)

Gender Pronouns (i.e. he/him, she/her, they/their, or something else?)

Address

Mailing Street

Mailing City

Country

State

Province

Zip / Postal Code

Emergency Contact Information

Emergency Contact Name

Relationship

Address

Cell Phone

Alternate Phone

PART II: Personal Statement

What is your interest in participating in the Intensive at this time?

Completed SFZC Practice Periods, intensives and sesshins and dates (if applicable)

Briefly include other formal Buddhist practice experience; include date(s), and location(s)

Have you received the Buddhist precepts?

Date Received Precepts

Received Precepts from whom?

Have you been ordained as a Buddhist priest?

Ordination Date

Ordained by whom?

Are you currently practicing with a Buddhist teacher or practice leader?

YesNo

Name of Primary Teacher/Practice Leader

Are they an SF Zen Center Teacher?

YesNo

We request a letter of recommendation from your teacher if they are not a SF Zen Center teacher. Please provide contact information so that we may reach your teacher if necessary. Please include the teacher's name, address and phone number.

Preferred Zendo Seating Type

If Other type seating describe/explain

Oryoki bowls are required for meals. Will you need to purchase one here? ($55 + tax)

No, I will bring my own oryoki setYes, I will need to purchase a set

Page 2

Medical

Any medical problems such as back or knee problems, repetitive stress (RSI), food or other serious allergies?

Do you have any significant physical, psychological, past or current eating disorders or emotional difficulties, particularly those for which you have received professional help or been hospitalized? (Please list dates, if applicable):

Please specify any prescription medications, and briefly describe the conditions being treated:

Do you have a history of alcohol or substance abuse? (Please list any treatment programs and dates, if applicable):

Do you currently use tobacco?

NoYes

Any limitations that would prevent you from completely following the Intensive schedule?

Any particular skills or training? (e.g., plumbing, carpentry, computer, sewing):

What level of physical work would be most suitable for you: heavy, moderate, or light? Indoors or outdoors?

Vaccinations

Green Gulch is strongly recommending full vaccination for Covid-19 and the latest booster shot.

Do you have a current flu shot?

Are you able to get a flu shot before the start of the Intensive?

Travel/Stay (residential applicants)

We prefer that people attend the entire Intensive. If there is room, consideration will be given to returning applicants who can only participate for part of the time. Are you applying for the entire Intensive? If not, please specify dates you are applying for:

Are you interested in continuing in residential practice at Green Gulch after this Intensive?

How long to you intend to stay in residence at Green Gulch?

Describe your interests and/or intentions if continuing residential practice at Green Gulch

Page 3: Housing, Fees and Agreement

Housing assignments will be made on the basis of availability and special needs. Please let us know of any special needs you have that may affect your housing. We will provide bedding and towels. We will do our best, but may not succeed in granting your first or second choice.

Shared Guest House Room (2 twins or a king): $1,628
Single Guest House Room: $2,100

The availability of shared and Single Student housing will be determined closer to the start date and offered for $1365 (shared) and $1890 (single).

Have you earned this Intensive by working at Green Gulch or Tassajara? Please indicate dates and location:

Please indicate any physical conditions that may require you to be housed in a private room:

In order to help with the assignment of housing, please indicate if you snore or use a CPAP machine:

Please indicate your first housing preference:

Please indicate your second housing preference:

Please indicate your third housing preference:

Green Gulch has limited long-term parking. We strongly encourage you to be dropped off and picked up. If you feel you must bring a car to Green Gulch, please make your request at this time:

PRACTICE PERIOD FORMS AND CEREMONIES:

Following the schedule of morning and evening meditation, and morning, noon, and evening services of bowing and chanting.
Following the work practice schedule.
Attending Dharma talks, classes, formal meals (oryoki), and ceremonies.
Refraining from drug and alcohol use.
Refraining from initiating any new sexual relationships.
Not leaving Green Gulch for the duration of the practice period (except for emergencies).
Following the Green Gulch Practice Period Guidelines (Shingi).
Communicating with Practice Period Leaders, Tanto, or Director in a timely way if having difficulty with any of these requirements.

I agree to honor these forms and ceremonies and have read the Green Gulch Practice Period Guidelines and agree to follow them completely

Agreed

Page 4

Payment

Deposit: The intensive fee is paid after application acceptance. The notice of acceptance to the intensive will be accompanied by information on paying the fee. $500 of this fee is non-refundable when canceling less than 2 weeks prior to the start of the intensive.

Deadline: The application deadline is November 7, 2025.

San Francisco Zen Center is committed to making Zen practice and the Dharma accessible to all who seek it by offering both a General support fund and a dedicated BIPOC support fund. After your application has been accepted, please email supportfunds@sfzc.org to request financial support.

Application Fee

Are you currently an SFZC Resident (at Green Gulch, City Center or Tassajara)?

YesNo

Payment of $30 may be paid here. Visa/MC only.

Name on Card

Card Number

Code

Billing Email

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