

Come Home to Your True Nature

Sanbo Zen International is a hybrid of the Soto and Rinzai Schools, started by Yasutani Haku'un Roshi on 8 January 1954. The current abbot, Yamada Ryôun Roshi , is based in Kamakura, Japan. Florida Sanbo Zen (FSZ) practices true to the tradition of
Sanbo Zen International, under the guidance of Valerie Forstman Roshi and Assistant Sanbo Zen International Teacher Shana Smith.
***WE ARE ON SUMMER BREAK AND ARE NOT MEETING IN PERSON AND ONLINE AGAIN UNTIL WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2026.***
To get on our mailing list, please email FloridaSanboZen@gmail.com.
We meet on Wednesdays at 6pm in both Gainesville and St. Petersburg, Florida, as well as online.
Details are below.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SITS:
***WE ARE ON SUMMER BREAK. SITTING RESUMES SEPTEMBER 2***
We meet in person and online on Wednesdays from 6-7:45pm at Karuna Cottage, 3215 NW 17th Street, Gainesville FL. Enter through back porch.
We also meet in person and join the Gainesville group online on Wednesdays from 6-7:45pm in the Friendship Hall of Unity of Midtown, St. Petersburg, 511 Prescott Street South. Park in the parking lot and come through the blue door.
Both meetings consist of two 25-minute sitting periods with kinhin (walking meditation) in between, followed by tea and a dharma talk/discussion. Dana (Donation) of $10-$20 per week is suggested.
(Dana info and link are below)
Zoom Link for Both Sits: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88968676218?pwd=dTU5cVB3VXorZnRSeWtiODE2OSs3UT09

Start your day with Zen! Starting September 1, we will be meeting online for thirty minutes every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 6:30-7:00am Eastern Time. You are warmly invited to join! We simply open with a bow and the Verse of Purification, sit in silence for 30 minutes, and close with the Four Vows, Metta, and wishes for a good day. It is a lovely way to formalize a morning ritual. You might want to set up a dedicated sitting space with flowers, a candle, or anything else that supports your practice. As with all FSZ offerings, it is donation-based.
(Dana info and link are below)
Zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88968676218?pwd=dTU5cVB3VXorZnRSeWtiODE2OSs3UT09

Donation-based classes with Shana for all levels. Bring a yoga mat and water bottle.
Shana is a 500-hour RYT.
Fall 2026 Class Schedule TBA--Check back!

We will soon post a schedule for upcoming zazenkais, or full days of Zen practice. FloridaSanboZen@gmail.com******

If you wish to study one on one with an authorized Sanbo Zen teacher, email FloridaSanboZen@gmail.com.

FSZC is a satellite of Mountain Cloud Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. MCZC maintains a vibrant schedule of online sitting, dharma talks, book club, zazenkai, sesshin, and much more.

We are entirely donation-based. You can put cash or check made to Shana Smith in the dana box in the zendo or mail to: 2338 10th Street South, St. Petersburg FL 33705. Dana can be made electronically via Venmo (@Shana-Banana-Smith), Zelle (352-215-0000) or PayPal (paypal.me/shanabananasmith). Thank you!
2338 10th Street South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705 USA

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