Roshi Philip Kapleau made the decision to move to South Florida in 1989. A Zen Center began here at 16th Ct in Hollywood to accommodate students and Roshi. This center very rapidly became too small. A new and much larger facility at Lincoln St., also in Hollywood, was purchased by the Rochester Zen center and this became Roshi Kapleau’s retirement residence also with an attached large Zendo.
About 1993 Roshi’s health began to fail (he had Parkinson’s Disease) and it was felt he would get more consistent care back in Rochester. Consequently the house was sold and those members that wished to continue their training came back to the small zendo at 16th ct. This small center was renamed Zenlife Meditation Center and continues today.
Although the seating in the zendo at Zenlife is limited (one needs to make a reservation for each sitting and event) the opportunity for authentic Zen practice is open to all.
If the words “small is beautiful” have meaning, then, Zenlife Meditation Center epitomizes this. We have a full calendar of events comparable to that of any larger Zen center. This includes. One, two and seven day retreats in silence (sesshin), wedding, divorce and memorial and healing ceremonies. A monthly famine relief ceremony, Eco retreats and our annual picnic among several others.
Small also means a more intimate setting and an opportunity for a more personal relationship with the teacher.
Please take the following words from Roshi Kapleau to heart: “If you are not going to come to an awakening in this lifetime, when will you??”
