Green Gulch Farm Zen Center - Fall 2026 Practice Period

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Page 1

SAN FRANCISCO ZEN CENTER - Green Gulch Farm Zen Center

Fall 2026 Green Gulch Residential Practice Period

October 14, 2026 - December 15, 2026

Led by Abbot Jiryu Rutschman-Byler

See here for a sample Practice Period schedule

Fields marked with an * asterisk are required.

Personal Information

First Name

Last Name

Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)

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?)

Please upload a recent cropped headshot taken within the last 6 months. There is a free online cropping tool at https://www.iloveimg.com/crop-image if you need it.

Upload a photo from your device

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 Practice Period 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)?

Do you currently use tobacco?

NoYes

We ask that practice period participants commit to remaining in the Green Gulch valley for the duration of the practice period. Is there anything that might prevent you from staying at Green Gulch for the entire practice period?

Any limitations that would prevent you from completely following the Practice Period schedule? (There is a link to a sample practice period schedule on page 1 of this application, near the top)

Any particular skills or training (e.g., plumbing, carpentry, cooking, gardening)

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

Travel/Stay (residential applicants)

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

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

Have you earned this Practice Period 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 (such as snoring or using a CPAP machine):

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.
A one-day tangaryo, a five-day sesshin, and a seven-day sesshin.
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 have read the Green Gulch Practice Period Guidelines and agree to abide by them.

Agreed

Page 4

The practice period applications committee will notify applicants as to whether or not they have been accepted to the practice period by mid-September 2025. If you need to be notified about your acceptance earlier than mid-September (for your planning purposes), please email ggfabbotassist@sfzc.org and let us know.

Payment

Fees:

• Non-refundable application fee for non-current residents: $30. Please pay online in the next section of the application.

• The practice period fee is $2300. This fee is paid after acceptance through application. The notice of acceptance to the practice period will be accompanied by information on paying the fee.

• 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. Please email supportfunds@sfzc.org for more information BEFORE signing up.

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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