Green Gulch Farm

Green Gulch Farm Zen Center

Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, also known by its Japanese name Sōryu-ji (Green Dragon Temple), is a prominent Soto Zen practice center situated near Muir Beach, California. Established in 1972 by the San Francisco Zen Center and Zentatsu Richard Baker, the center is dedicated to Zen training and communal living, drawing from the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki.

History and Philosophy

The foundation of Green Gulch Farm was inspired by Shunryu Suzuki's wish for a place where lay practitioners could live communally. Zentatsu Richard Baker identified the Green Gulch area as an ideal location for this vision. The 115-acre site was purchased in 1972 with a commitment to remaining open to the public and engaging in agricultural awareness. Early community efforts focused on converting a hay barn into a zendo, maintaining the land, and constructing housing.

The center places a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship, believing that humans must protect nature. This philosophy is deeply integrated into their practice and daily life. A significant development in this regard was the creation of the first composting toilet by architect Sim Van der Ryn in 1974, a project built by David Chadwick and Ken Sawyer, which promoted water conservation and personal responsibility for waste.

Farming and Gardens

Green Gulch Farm operates a substantial organic vegetable farm of 7 to 8 acres, which sustains the resident community and supplies produce to local markets and restaurants, including Greens Restaurant in San Francisco. Complementing the farm is a 1 to 1.5-acre fruit, herb, and flower garden. This garden is designed in distinct 'rooms' with a formal English style, featuring an herbal circle at its core, enclosed by a yew hedge and adorned with rose arbors, paths, a Japanese snowbell tree, herbs, and lichen-covered rocks.

Programs and Community

The center hosts a residential monastery and retreat facilities, guest houses, and a conference center. It offers a variety of workshops and classes throughout the year, covering topics such as Zen meditation (zazen), the Japanese tea ceremony, gardening, pruning, flower arrangement, and herb cultivation. An apprenticeship program for organic farmers is also offered during the summer months.

Public access is encouraged, with Sunday gatherings including zazen, lectures, tea, and lunch. The gardens and nursery are accessible daily. Guest accommodations include the Lindisfarne Guest House, an octagonal structure designed for reading and conversation, and the Wheelwright Center, which provides larger living spaces suitable for families.

Environmental Initiatives

Green Gulch Farm has also engaged in collaborative environmental projects. As of 2006, plans were in place to partner with the National Park Service to restore Muir Beach, including the removal of a parking lot to return the former wetland area to its original condition. The center's integration of Zen practice with sustainable living and ecological awareness, as noted by Fenton Johnson, positions it as a model for living on the land.