Residential Training
We require everyone to be fully vaccinated prior to residency.
Residency at Palolo is for those with a currently active and well-established Zen practice who wish to intensify their Zen training by practicing with others in a lay community. Because of the lay nature of our temple, the zazen and and other training opportunities can be challenging. The residents support each other in this challenge. This residency program is not in any way monastic.
If you currently live on Oahu but don’t sit with us, or are planning to move to Oahu, it is expected that you first attend our Orientation to Practice and join the activities of the sangha, including regular zazen, for a period of time before applying. Residency at Palolo Zen Center is not a short-term housing situation with a Zen flavor. It is for people with a serious and committed Zen practice.
The minimum stay for residency is two months although occasional exceptions are made for affiliated Diamond Sangha members. While working or going to school, residents make their home in the temple, maintaining its basic schedule year round. Residents participate in the activities of the temple and the sangha, and the Intensive Practice Periods and sesshins as they are able. In addition to the minimum daily schedule, residents do three hours of temple work every week and attend a weekly residents meeting.
In general, residents purchase their own food, prepare their own meals, and are responsible for their own transportation. The Palolo Zen Center is located about a 20-minute uphill walk from the bus line, most residents, however, have cars, mopeds, or bicycles. The temple sits in the back of a beautiful, but fairly rainy valley, and residents enjoy the Waiomao stream, the garden, neighbors, hikers who come to enjoy the valley trails, wild birds, centipedes, local chickens, goats, and mosquitoes.
Living and practicing every day with fellow residents can be a challenging and valuable form of Zen training, certain to provide opportunities to manifest wisdom and compassion in interaction with others. Our Temple Keeper oversees the day to day running of the facility including the practice schedule and temple work.
Applications for residency are reviewed by the Residency Oversight Team, who also interview applicants. The Oversight Team consists of a Zen Teacher, a Tanto (training leader), a member of the Board of Directors and a member at large. If accepted, the first three months of residency is probationary. Preference is given to members of the Honolulu Diamond Sangha, other HDS participants, and members or participants of Diamond Sangha affiliate groups, in that order. However, Diamond Sangha affiliation isn’t required for application.
Space is limited. Fees for residents vary depending on the room. Private rooms are the norm. Food and sesshin fees are not included in the monthly fee. If you are interested in inquiring about residency, please call the Administrator at (808) 735-1347 to inquire if space is available, and download both the Resident Application and Resident Guidelines which can be found on the Application page. The Residential Guidelines provide much more detailed information. The application is a form-fillable Word document which you must fill in and email to the administrator at info@diamondsangha.org
The Residential Guidelines can be found here for more detailed information.