We make Zen come alive!

Zenwest Buddhist Society is a Zen community based on Vancouver Island — supporting practitioners here and around the world, in person and online, wherever you are along the Way.

New here?

New to Zen — Start Here

Curious about Zen meditation? Begin with our online orientation, or simply come and sit with us on a Tuesday evening. Everyone’s welcome, it’s free, and you can go at your own pace.

Find your first step →

Already sitting?

Practice Schedule & Resources

Upcoming practice opportunities and events, recorded talks, and the chant book with its audio tracks — everything you need to nourish your practice, in one place.

Go to the schedule →

A word from the Abbot

You’re welcome here.

My name is Eshū — I’m the Abbot of Zenwest Buddhist Society. On behalf of our sangha, I’m glad you’ve come. Think of me as the person who answers the door — here to welcome you in, show you around, and introduce you to the community and the practice we share. However you found your way to us — welcome.

Meet the sangha →

Zen isn’t something you only learn about —
it’s something we do, together.

Every Tuesday evening we gather at the UVic Multifaith Centre to sit, to chant, and to share the practice. You’re welcome exactly as you are.

Walking the Path

Step one · freeOrientation to ZenAn online introduction to Zen, unfolding over four weeks — a little each week, wherever you are.→

Step twoEntering the Gate of ZenA small online cohort over four evenings — your first real taste of formal practice.→

Step threeZen Training with EshūMentorship and apprenticeship — to keep deepening your practice, with ongoing one-to-one support.→

Nourishing Your Practice

ListenLiving Zen PodcastFresh Dharma talks every couple of weeks — spontaneous, and recorded live in the zendo.

WatchTuesday Dharma TalksA window into a Tuesday evening at UVic — a sense of what it’s like to be in the room for a Dharma talk.

Read & chantZenwest SutrasText and recordings for our basic chanting practice.