The Center's Mandala is composed of Circles, which attend to specific areas important to the Center's mission and vision. Each Circle has its own statement of purpose and a Steward that assists in its functioning. Working effectively with a view of the whole, and of how our actions affect the whole, are keys to how our Center operates. In addition, every member is regarded as a steward.

The Circles within the Buddha Families are:

buddha SPHERE

Abbot and Head Teacher -- Roshi Wendy Egyoku Nakao

Temple Director -- Deb Faith-Mind Thoresen

Wisdom Circle

STUDY SPHERE

Teachers Circle

The TC attends to all matters pertaining to teaching and the development of teachers. Steward: John Daishin Buksbazen

For the Statement of Ethics for ZCLA Teachers, click here.

Priest Circle

The Priest Circle, comprised of all Zen priests training at Great Dragon Mountain, trains in priest functions, councils together, and explores the role of a priest.

resource sphere

Board of Directors

The Board attends to the finances, legal matters, and resource development necessary to support the Center's vision and programs.

Roshi Wendy Egyoku Nakao, Abbot
Patti Muso Giggans President
Betsy Enduring-Vow Brown, Secretary

John Plum-Hermit Swanger, Recording Secretary
Tom Dharma-Joy Reichert, Treasurer & CFO
Members: Cliff Shishin Collins, Darla Myoho Fjeld, Dewayne Gojitsu Snodgrass, Bob Swan, Deb Faith-Mind Thoresen

Executive Circle

The EC attends to the budget, staffing, and all matters of the buildings and grounds.  Steward: Darla Myoho Fjeld

 

relationship sphere

Buddha Hand Circle

The BHC attends to the admission, orientation, reviews, and leave-taking of resident trainees. Steward: Rosa Ando Martinez

Resident Steward

The Resident Steward attends to matters pertaining to developing and maintaining a viable resident training community.

Shared Stewardship Circle

The SSC attends to the development of shared stewardship as a training and governance model and holds councils on sangha concerns. Co-Stewards: Katherine Senshin Griffith and Deb Faith-Mind Thoresen

service sphere

Brown-Green Circle

The BGG attends to environmental and ecological matters of concern to the Center. Steward: Diane True-Joy Fazio

Day of Dana Project

DDP attends to a food giveaway and community gathering of families-in-need in the Great Dragon Mountain neighborhood. Rotating stewardship.

Prison Circle

The Prison Circle attends to the development of prison outreach programs. Steward: Gary Belton

 

Stewardship reports are found in the Members Area.