Green Gulch Farm Zen Center - March Zen Retreat Application

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SAN FRANCISCO ZEN CENTER - Green Gulch Farm Zen Center

2026 March Zen Retreat Application

Led by Gil Fronsdal

March 21-April 4, 2026

Fields marked with an * asterisk are required.

Personal Information

First Name

Last Name

Email

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?)

How do you define your ethnic and/or racial identity? (optional)

Address

Mailing Street

Mailing City

Country

State

Province

Zip / Postal Code

Emergency Contact Information

Emergency Contact Name

Relationship

Address

Cell Phone

Alternate Phone

Email

PART II: Personal Statement

What is your interest in participating in the spring retreat at this time?"

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

Briefly describe other Buddhist practice experience and retreats, including 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

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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 retreat schedule?

The retreat is offered as a way to participate with the full training of Zen temple life. If you are interested in practicing in any of the following temple training roles, please let us know, and we will take your preferences into account when assigning roles. Training and teachings for these roles will be provided. - Cook or assistant cooks (with a different and slightly longer work schedule than the standard work schedule)

- Zendo roles (Jisha, Jiko, Tenken, Doan, wake-up bell, assistant Ino)

- Facility care (plumbing, carpentry)

- Hospitality

- Gardening and landscaping

- Farming

- Other tasks (i.e. 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)

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.

Guest Housing:

Single Small Room: $1750-$2500
Shared Large Room: $1250-$1750

Student Housing:

Single Room: $1500-$2000
Shared Room: $1000-$1500

Have you earned this retreat 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:

SPRING RETREAT 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.

A five-day sesshin

Refraining from initiating any new sexual relationships.

Not leaving Green Gulch for the duration of the retreat (except for emergencies).

Following the Green Gulch Retreat Guidelines (Shingi).
Communicating with Retreat 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 Retreat Guidelines and agree to follow them completely

Agreed

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Payment

Deposit: The retreat fee is paid after application acceptance. The notice of acceptance to the retreat 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 retreat.

Deadline: The application deadline is January 5, 2026.

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

MM

YY

Code

Billing Email

Please upload a recent, cropped headshot. There is a free online cropping tool at cropp.me.

Upload a photo from your device

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