Tassajara Zen Mountain Center - Winter 2026 Practice Period Application

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TASSAJARA ZEN MOUNTAIN CENTER

Practice Period Application

Winter 2026 (January 6th - April 2, 2026)

led by Abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman

Personal Information

First Name

Last Name

Date of Birth

mm/dd/yyyy

Choose the type of student you are:

New Student (have not completed a practice period at Tassajara)Currently a Tassajara residentReturning student: completed one or more ZMC practice periods

Phone (Cell)

Alternate Phone

Gender Identity (for housing purposes)

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

Have you previously uploaded a photo through a previous Tassajara application?

YesNo

Would you like to upload a new photo?

YesNo

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

Application Options

Please indicate which of the options you are applying for:

I am applying to be a regular student, participating in the full monastic schedule for the entire duration of the practice period.I am applying to be a regular student, participating in the full monastic schedule for one month (Jan. 6 to Feb. 3) of the practice period.

Address

Mailing Street

Mailing City

Country

State

Province

Zip / Postal Code

Emergency Contact Information

Emergency Contact Name

Emergency Contact Relationship

Emergency Contact Address

Cell Phone

Alternate Phone

Personal Statement

Your practice and interest in Zen; why do you want to participate in the practice period at this time?

A brief personal history

Work experience and relevant Tassajara-specific skills (please include any form of medical training or experience)

Practice Experience

Within SFZC

City Center

Number of Completed 2-3 Month Long Practice Periods at City Center

Date[s] of Completed City Center Practice Periods

Green Gulch Farm

Number of Completed 2-3 Month Long Practice Periods at Green Gulch Farm

Date[s] of Completed Green Gulch Farm Practice Periods

Tassajara

Number of Completed 3 Month Long Practice Periods at Tassajara

Date[s] of Completed Tassajara Practice Periods

List 1-2 month completed SFZC intensives, include date[s], length and location.

List 3-7 day completed SFZC sesshins (separate from those included in listed SFZC Practice Periods); include date[s], length and location[s].

List all SFZC Crew Head or Senior Staff positions held; include position name, date[s], length and location[s].

Outside SFZC

List non-SZFC practice periods, intensives, or sesshins

Briefly include other formal Buddhist practice experience; include date[s], and location[s]

List any temple positions held; include position name, date[s], length and location[s].

Precepts

Have you received the Buddhist precepts?

YesNo

Preceptor:

Date:

Ordination

Have you been ordained as a Buddhist Priest?

YesNo

Ordination Teacher:

Date

Dharma Name Given:

Teacher

Current Primary Teacher/Practice Leader

Is your teacher a SF Zen Center Teacher?

YesNo

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

Health Record

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

YesNo

Medical problem notes.

Do you have any significant physical, psychological, or emotional difficulties, particularly those for which you have received professional help or been hospitalized?

YesNo

Significant physical, psychological, or emotional difficulty notes. (Please list dates, if applicable).

Do you have a history of alcohol or substance abuse?

YesNo

History of alcohol or substance abuse notes (Please list any treatment programs and dates).

Are you currently using any prescription medications?

YesNo

Please specify medications, and briefly describe the conditions being treated.

Preferred Zendo Seating Type

Zafu/ZabutonChairOther

Describe the type of seating and reason

Vaccinations

Do you have an up to date Tetanus shot?

YesNo

Approximate date of last Tetanus shot

Do you have a current flu shot?

YesNo

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

YesNo

Travel / Stay

Will you be catching a flight or traveling via public transport within 14 days of your arrival?

YesNo

How do you intend on getting to Tassajara?

Are you interested in continuing in residential practice at Tassajara after this practice period?

YesNo

How long to you intend to stay in residence at Tassajara?

Describe your interests and/or intentions if continuing residential practice at Tassjara.

Practice Period Requirements

I understand and agree to the following requirements:

Acknowledge

Follow the daily meditation schedule
Participate in daily services of bowing and chanting
Attend daily study hall and weekly classes and lectures
Participate in formal meals and ceremonies
Attend all Work Circles and participate in Work Practice (several hours daily)
Refrain from possession and use of recreational drugs and alcohol
Refrain from initiating any new sexual relationship(s)
Remain at ZMC throughout the practice period (unless in the case of a medical emergency)

I read through, understand, and have printed out the Practice Period Guidelines.

Acknowledge

Will you adhere to the above requirements and the Practice Period guidelines?

YesNo

Are you able to completely follow the full practice period schedule?

YesNo

Please describe your concerns with the schedule.

I understand that not following the full practice period schedule and/or not adhering to the above requirements and Practice Period Guidelines may result in being asked to leave the monastery, with no refund of tuition fees.

Acknowledge

Weather Considerations

Based on our experience in the past we expect the seasonal rains will bring additional challenges to the monastery. These challenges include potential flooding as well as debris flows, slides and erosion risks along the Tassajara road and throughout the valley. Due to these potential hazards, Tassajara practice period participants are required to sign a Waiver of Liability.

The Tassajara road may be impassable at times throughout the late fall due to water run-off, fallen trees, and landslides. We strongly recommend practice period participants bring extra supplies of any personal medicines or other necessities in case supplies cannot be transported over the road for a week or more at a time. All medical and dental procedures should be taken care of before arriving for the practice period. Finally, it is also possible the heating system for cabins and communal spaces may not be consistently available due to elevated creek levels, therefore we suggest you come prepared with suitable warm clothing, bedding, and hot water bottles.

WAIVER OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK

Visitor's Waiver

1. Voluntary Participation

I, the undersigned, am voluntarily visiting the San Francisco Zen Center's Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Carmel Valley, California ("Tassajara").

2. Inherent Risks

Tassajara is located at the bottom of a gorge area, with steep rock walls that overlook the Zen Mountain Center. At all times, both in the immediate area of Tassajara and in the surrounding area, there is a high risk from land falls, falling rocks and boulders and, after rainfall, there is a potential of flooding and injury associated with flooding. In addition, because only one road provides access to and from Tassajara, at any time this road could be blocked, thereby limiting evacuation, access to healthcare and other regular and emergency services.

3. Risks from Fires and Rock Falls

Over at least the last thirteen years, fires have occurred in Monterey County. The “Basin-Indians Fire” in 2008 and the Soberanes fire in 2016, burned many thousands of acres in Monterey County including the upper Carmel River, Arroyo Seco, San Antonio, Rat Creek, Big Sur and Little Sur watersheds and other parts of the Los Padres National Forest in which Tassajara is located. The most recent fires in the general vicinity of Tassajara were the “Carmel Fire” and the “Dolan Fire” in 2020. Risks from future fires remain.

The site of Tassajara is located at the bottom of an active inner gorge area, with steep (nearly vertical) highly fractured rock walls, rock fall, dry ravel and deposits from previous debris flows exist.

The County road giving access to Tassajara may be impacted by fires, debris flows, flooding, and hill failures and may be impassable after fire outbreaks and heavy rain. As such, access to Tassajara may be cut off, making evacuation difficult.

Reports of the Carmel Fire and the Dolan Fire from 2020 can be found here:

https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/administrative-office/office-of-emergency-services/response/2020-fires

4. Assumption of Risk

I have read the above and I am aware that because of factors identified here and the incidence of fires, and COVID-19, there is currently a higher than normal risk to physical safety and life by visiting Tassajara and/or residing in Tassajara during the current period. I am further aware that, at all times, both in the immediate area of Tassajara and in the surrounding area, there is a high risk from fire, land falls, falling rocks and boulders and, after rainfall, I am aware that there is a potential of flooding and injury associated with flooding. I am aware that there is a risk of being exposed to or infected by COVID-19 while in transit to/from Tassajara and while at Tassajara. I acknowledge that there is only one access road out of Tassajara and, as outlined above, this road could be blocked thereby limiting evacuation, access to healthcare and other emergency services.

I AM VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATING IN THE ACTIVITIES AT TASSAJARA WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE DANGERS INVOLVED, AND I HEREBY AGREE TO ACCEPT ANY AND ALL RISKS OF INJURY, ILLNESS, OR DEATH, AND VERIFY THIS STATEMENT BY CHECKING THIS BOX

Acknowledged

5. Waiver of Liability

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 not make a claim against, sue, or attach the property of San Francisco Zen Center, its employees, agents, or directors, on account of 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, 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 arising out of the risks described in this release. I hereby release the San Francisco Zen Center from all actions, claims, or demands that I, my assignees, heirs, distributees, guardians and legal representatives now have or may hereafter have for physical or mental injury, accidents, illness (including death), economic loss, or damage to personal property resulting from my participation in the Practice Session at Tassajara and related activities and arising out of the risks described in this Release.

I further understand that this Release covers the period of my visit to Tassajara, including my residency at Tassajara and my travel to and from Tassajara related thereto.

6. Knowing and Voluntary Execution

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

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

Acknowledged

Payment

The tuition fee for the full practice period is $3,780 and for the one-month option is $1,575, which includes room and board. There is not an option to earn a practice period credit retroactively for this practice period.

As basic operating expenses for the practice period are in excess of $4,725 per student, we kindly invite those who are able to consider making an additional donation.

Once your application is reviewed and approved, you will receive an email directing you to payment options.

How do you plan to pay for the practice period?

I will pay for the practice periodI will use an earned practice period credit (and will provide the PP Credit letter given to me).

At which practice center did you earn your credit?

TassajaraCity CenterGreen Gulch Farm

During what dates/season was your credit earned?

Application Fee

Are you currently a SFZC Resident (at Green Gulch or City Center)?

YesNo

Application fee waived for SFZC residents

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

Credit Card Number

CVV/CSC

If you have any questions please contact the director at zmcdirector@sfzc.org

Authnet_Hidden_Fields

SFZC recommends that anyone coming to live at Tassajara has received a Covid vaccination. If you are experiencing Covid-like symptoms before you leave for your stay here, we ask that you cancel or postpone your stay by contacting the Director, or take a Covid test to assure negativity. Thank you.

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