“Your life is a story of transition. You are always leaving one chapter behind while moving on to the next.”
—Anonymous
Dear Sweetwater Zen Center Members and Friends,
Believe it or not, Sweetwater Zen Center is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary!
And it’s thanks to your support as a member of this community that we have been able to offer Buddhist meditation and training, and spiritual refuge for people here in the South Bay for a quarter of a century.
No one deserves deeper gratitude for this work than our founder and Abbot, Seisen Saunders Roshi. With the 25 year milestone, we also celebrate Seisen’s ceaseless dedication and service, as she retires and SWZC goes through a transition of leadership in February 2025. As we enter this new chapter as a community, we hope you will consider supporting this year’s fundraiser, to help us navigate the transition period.
As Chowa Werner Sensei steps into the role of Abbot, new leadership brings new energy and a fresh vision. So, this year’s fundraising goal is $12,000 to help launch this new vision, which overtime may include renovating the Yurt Zendo, building more guest housing, expanding staff and scholarship opportunities, and more.
In 2000, Seisen came to National City with just a handful of motivated Zen students to turn an overgrown and neglected property into the beautiful bastion of the Zen Way we appreciate today. Join us in honoring this selfless work by supporting SWZC in its mission to continue growing and cultivating the Dharma.
It is in the spirit of growth that we humbly ask you to contribute to this year’s Fundraiser to support SWZC's new chapter.
Please join our vision and donate to our campaign:
Deep bows in gratitude,
Sweetwater Fundraising Circle
Lisa Beiser
Chris Shoyu Cather
Prinston Gainey
Catherine Rogers
Anne Seisen Saunders
Valerie Kyoshin Velez
Robert Chowa Werner
