2026 AZTA Conference

The Vermont Zen Center is pleased to welcome you to the next conference of the American Zen Teachers' Association. The meeting begins on Wednesday, June 10 with dinner and the initial gathering. It concludes on Sunday, June 14 after breakfast.

Planning Committee

The planning committee, Gendo Allyn Field, Koshin Chris Cain, Taigen Henderson (representing the Vermont Zen Center), Seiso Paul Cooper, and Shinge Roko Chayat, as well as your host, Sunyana Graef, are looking forward to seeing you at the meeting. Please contact any of them with suggestions. They will be soliciting member input on topics and other details of the meeting in coming months.

Accommodations

Heather Kelman, is the volunteer coordinator for the VZC and she will try to answer any questions you may have about accommodations, travel, etc. The Vermont Center currently has around 20 rooms available and can accommodate 50 people with shared occupancy. We also have a number of members who live very close to the Zen Center and who have offered guest rooms. Depending on the number of participants, there may be some private rooms.


  • Vermont Zen Center Garden
  • Vermont Zen Center Jizo Garden
  • Vermont Zen Center Kitchen
Front Garden • Jizo Garden • Kitchen
  • Vermont Zen Center Retreat Cabin
  • Vermont Zen Center Zendo
  • Vermont Zen Center Kannon Room
Retreat Cabin • Zendo • Kannon Room

Temple Complex

Buddha Building

Zendo and Kannon Room

Vermont Zen Center Zendo

The Buddha Building, built in 2011, has a large zendo for daily meditation. There is also a small room dedicated to the Bodhisattva of Compassion used for personal devotions.

Dharma Building

Buddha Hall and Library

Vermont Zen Center Dharma Building

The Dharma Building, purchased in 1991, was the hub of all our activities for over a decade. It contains our library and living room, and is used for talks and ceremonies, and contains the teachers' quarters.

Sangha Building

Kitchen and dorms

Vermont Zen Center Sangha Building

The Sangha Building, built in 2003, provides community space for meals, informal gatherings, and celebrations. It is also where the kitchen is located and where the house residents live.