Green Bay Meditation
We are a sacred order bringing into being a
harmonious and loving world, through the
practice of meditative, compassionate
awareness and mindful stewardship.
Increased Focus and Concentration
Deeper Self Awareness
Promotes Compassion
Lower Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Enhances Physical Health
Service Schedule
Sunday Service
8:00 AM
8:00 AM – Morning
8:20 AM – Zazen
8:45 AM – Kinhin
8:55 AM – Zazen
9:20 AM – Closing
9:25 AM – Dharma Talk
Thursday Service
6:00 PM
6:00 PM Opening
6:10 PM Zazen
6:35 PM Closing
6:40 PM Dharma Talk
Calendar
Spring Retreat
May 11, 2024
Green Isle Park Pavilion
Meditation Sundays 8 AM
Meditation Thursdays 6 PM
Meditation. Mindfulness. Zen.
The Green Bay Zen Center offers both the beginning and experienced student an opportunity for Zen practice, Buddhist study and fellowship with others interested in the practice of Dhyana meditation. GBZC provides zazen and discussion twice each week and we hold week-end retreats in Green Bay, WI each Spring. The Sangha also supports a week-long Sesshin (practice period) each November to commemorate Buddha’s Enlightenment.
All are welcome to join and sit, to explore the quiet of zazen and the fellowship of community. There is no cost to attend our twice-weekly gatherings.
All teachings and readings during Green Bay Zen Center services are contained and read from the Hollow Bones Sutra Book.
Hollow Bones
Hollow Bones Zen began in 1999 in response to a request from the Mankind Project to create a complimentary training and practice structure that embodies Zen Buddhist teachings. The early retreats were made available to men who had participated in the Mankind Project and in 2002 expanded to include women through co-ed retreats and workshops. The Hollow Bones Zen Retreat is a modern American Zen meditation retreat, its root and form are adopted from the Japanese Samurai Zen Tradition.
The language used is English, and all of the practices are articulated and clearly understood.
GBZC History
The Green Bay Zen Center originated in 1994 as The Green Tara Sangha sharing space with the Bay Area Yoga Center until 2018. The Sangha was sanctioned by Roshi Jun Po Dennis Kelly, founder and Abbot of The Hollow Bones Order. Jun Po is Dharma heir to Eido Shimano Roshi, founder of the Zen Studies Center in New York. The Sangha shared space with the Bay Area Yoga Center until 2018, coinciding with the formal name change to ‘The Green Bay Zen Center’.
Classically trained for many years in Rinzai Zen, Junpo determined there was enough commitment in the Geen Bay area to support a permanent Sangha (Zen Community) and offered to support the group for a minimum of ten years. Participants came from all over Northeast Wisconsin and the week-end retreats continued along with twice weekly sits in Green Bay.
Beginning with meditation at the Bay Area Yoga Center (sitting on rolled up blankets and sharing space), the Sangha grew and became a single presence for experienced and exploring practitioners.
Several years later, members left Green Tara to establish the Zen River Sangha in Appleton. Additional Sanghas were established in several Wisconsin communities, loosely under the Friends of Zen umbrella. Similarly, through practice with Jun Po, regular retreats occurred in other part of the U.S.
John Nemick took Jukai (a ritualized form of declaring commitment to practice and to support of the Sangha) along with several other Green Tara members.
As the various sites took root, Jun Po ordained Priests into the Hollow Bones Order and more students followed in taking Jukai. In 2014, Vimala Muni, John Nemick was given Inka status and became Roshi (Senior Teacher).
Meet The Staff
Jun Po
Denis Kelly
Deceased 5/12/2021
Vimala
John Nemick
Deceased 7/3/2021
Shunya
Lynn Hyer
Kin Shin
Stephen J. D’Antonio
Seisho
Kaidan Whitehouse
Mondo Zen
Frequently Asked Questions
period. We may show you different ways to sit, and answer your questions before hand.
This is why it is important to arrive several minutes prior to the start of the period.
However, once you enter the meditation hall (zendo) we ask that you do not speak, and
that you quietly take your seat. You will find that there are rituals, however
you will not be expected to know them, and you can participate as much or as little as you
feel comfortable.
Once all participants have “taken their seat” the service begins with an opening ceremony. The opening ceremony consists of reading from our sutra book (which is provided to you). The opening service is followed by a 25 minute meditation period (zazen). On Thursday evening a dharma talk is given.
Sunday morning service follows a similar pattern, Opening service, followed by meditation (zazen). However, after zazen, there is a walking meditation (kinhin) which lasts 10 minutes followed by a second zazen period. Finally, a dharma talk will be given.
The building is not owned by Green Bay Zen Center. The building has many offices inside of it, and most of them are not related to GBZC. We are guests, and it is very important to remember to enter the building quietly and to be respectful of the other businesses that are inside of the building. Green Bay Zen center is located upstairs, please come upstairs and join us as we practice together. Some parking is available in the parking lot off of Shawano Ave. You can also park on Oakland Ave.
Find Us
123 N. Oakland Ave. Green Bay, WI 54303
(920) 770-4088
info@greenbayzencenter.org
When visiting the Green Bay Zen Center, parking is available along Oakland Ave and limited parking is available in our parking lot. Our center is located on the second floor of the building. When you enter, you’ll see signs guiding you to where to go. We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming meditation session.
About Rinzai Zen School
Hollow Bones is an American Rinzai Zen School. This school provides a clear, open channel for awakening our body, mind, and spirit. This school is specifically tailored for contemporary Western culture.
It is Zen stripped bare and separated from its Japanese cultural identity. It is Zen investigated, understood, and practiced deeply. It is a pragmatic, non-sectarian spiritual discipline and way of life that awakens us and transforms our lives.
From this perspective to consider Zen a religion is to miss the point.
