Membership
Still Mind Zendo is a totally self-sustaining sangha. Membership dues and donations are a major means of support.
We invite you to further your commitment to Zen practice by becoming a member and supporting the zendo that creates the structure for your practice to develop.
For Our Teachers: In order to keep our dues as low as possible, our teachers have waived receiving a salary, depending solely on the ancient Buddhist custom of dana - free giving.
If you would like to show your appreciation to our teachers, you may add a free-will dana offering to your membership dues either to your annual payment in full or to your quarterly payments. You may also put your offering in the dana box at the zendo or send it in any time during the year, clearly marking "dana" on the check.
Membership Benefits
- Donation waiver for all scheduled sittings
- Regular one-to-one meetings with a teacher
- Access to more than 500 dharma talks online
- Daily Words of Encouragement sent by email
- Participation in Thursday Zoom Circle discussions
- Discounted fees for retreats, all-day sittings, and workshops
- Week sesshin (retreats) open only to members
- Ango (intense practice period) open only to members
- Use of zendo for private sitting
- Membership dues are tax-deductible
Membership Rates
Payments can be made in full or on a quarterly basis. For those who join after the year has begun, the dues are pro-rated. Please e-mail registrar {a} stillmindzendo.org for pro-rated amount.
Annual Membership (October 1 - September 30):
Two tiers (please choose one):
- $950 Supporting membership ($240 quarterly).If paying by PayPal instead of check or cash, fee is $970 ($245 quarterly)
- $850 Basic membership ($215 quarterly). If paying by PayPal instead of check or cash, fee is $870 ($220 quarterly)
Full payment due: October 1 or Quarterly payments due: October 1, January 1, April 1, July 1
Two-month Trial Membership: $40
A trial membership of $40 is offered for newcomers to our sangha. Trial members receive all the benefits of Membership during this trial period. If at the end of the two-month period you wish to become a member, the $40 will be deducted from your dues.
Full-time Academic Student Membership: 50% off
If you are currently a full-time academic student, membership dues at Still Mind Zendo are reduced by half. (Not applicable to Two-month Trial Membership.)
Long-Distance Membership: $700
For members who do not live close to New York City and therefore cannot attend sittings regularly:
- Full payment of $700 is due October 1 If paying by PayPal instead of check or cash, fee is $710
- Quarterly payments of $175 each due October 1, January 1, April 1, July 1 If paying quarterly by PayPal instead of check or cash, payment is $180 each
Membership Form & Payment
Please fill out this form to enroll in membership. Whether you pay by check or via PayPal, we ask that you mail us your membership form or scan and email it to info@stillmindzendo.org
Our operating expenses are high, primarily due to the commercial rent for our centrally located space in Manhattan. Please consider making an additional contribution when you become an SMZ member.