Soto Zen Buddhist Association

Soto Zen Buddhist Association

2111 San Pablo Ave, PO Box 2452
Berkeley, CA  94702
website: szba.org                                                                                                                                                               

Description of Organization:

Soto Zen Buddhist Association was formed in 1996 as an autonomous body with deep roots to the Japanese Sotoshu, an international body that is a recognized leader in maintaining and enriching the tenants of Soto Zen practice across the globe. SZBA held its first national biennial conference in 2004.  Membership standards, an ethics statement and training guidelines for priests and gathered professional and educational resources for its members was created.  SZBA strives to preserve and promote the Buddhadharma through the teaching and practice of Soto Zen Buddhism in North America and facilitate trust, respect, communication, ethical conduct, and education among the many sanghas of Soto Zen lineages in the wider community. 

Grant(s) Awarded

In 2026, a grant of $6,300 was awarded to support the launch of Dogen’s Four Embracing Actions: Caring for Ourselves and Others, addressing challenges faced by priests supporting their sanghas during times of upheaval. Through the embracing actions of kind speech, generosity, beneficial action, and identity action, members will gain Dharma-based tools and support. Expert speakers, workshops, and a culminating conference will guide priests in caring for caregivers, empowering sustainable, equanimous community leadership and practice.

In 2024, a Women in Buddhism grant in the amount of $15,000 was awarded to support a new speaker series: Celebrating the Voices of Women in Buddhism; Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. The series seeks to recognize and celebrate the vital role that women have played in Buddhism up to today, with a majority focus on Soto Zen. The series will highlight the many female contributions throughout the history of Zen practice while creating a vehicle for new and emergent women leaders to inspire other Soto Zen women. The program’s effect will cultivate a broader, more holistic attitude towards women’s roles in contemporary sangha leadership.