The costs of war are enormous and on-going. In many parts of the world landmines, cluster bombs, and unexploded ordinance litter the landscape. They maim and kill innocent peasant farmers, their children, and even their livestock. If the plow animal dies, the family may die too. Check out our fundraising page and please give as generously as you can.

Meditate '08 near the Democratic National Convention, August 23 - 28
The Fort Collins Zen Center was one of 40 nationally recognized Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim and Native American traditions that participated in Meditate 08, a meditation retreat held during the Democratic National Convention at Fishback Landing Park, a ten minute walk from the convention site. The retreat was free and ran from Saturday, August 23rd through Thursday, August 28th, 2008. Many thanks to Don Morreale and all the organizers. And also to Lyn Alweis who produced this video for the Denver Post (2:35). Meditate 08 homepage

FCZC is affiliated with the Kwan Um School of Zen Buddhism. The Kwan Um School of Zen is an international organization with more than sixty centers and groups founded by Zen Master Seung Sahn, the first Korean Zen Master to live and teach in the West. Zen Master Seung Sahn is the 78th Patriarch in his line of Dharma Transmission in the Chogye order of Korean Buddhism. Our guiding teacher Zen Master Soeng Hyang (Barbara Rhodes) became one of Zen Master Seung Sahn's first American students in 1972, and received dharma transmission from him in 1992. She now serves as School Zen Master and Guiding Dharma Teacher of the Kwan Um School of Zen. A registered nurse since 1969, she also works for Hospice Care of Rhode Island. The heart of the Kwan Um School of Zen and Fort Collins Zen Center is Zen practice. We invite you to practice with us.

The Human Route

Coming empty-handed, going empty-handed -- that is human.
When you are born, where do you come from?
When you die, where do you go?
Life is like a floating cloud which appears.
Death is like a floating cloud which disappears.
The floating cloud itself originally does not exist.
Life and death, coming and going, are also like that.
But there is one thing which always remains clear.
It is pure and clear, not depending on life and death.

Then what is the one pure and clear thing?

Everybody needs T-shirts and weve got a great one! Two three-color logos (English on the front, Chinese on the back) embroidered onto high-tech CoolFit fabric. This shirt will keep you comfortable and clear whether youre bowing, chanting, sitting, or lounging. Mens M, L, XL crew neck; Womens M, L crew or V neck. Sorry no kids sizes right now. $30. All proceeds go to Fort Collins Zen Center. Available by mail or at FCZC. Kitty not included.