Jake Jiyu Gage, Sensei has been a student of Zen Buddhism for twenty-three years. He began his studies in 1985 with Taizan Maezumi, Roshi and received Dharma Transmission from Nicolee Jikyo McMahon, Roshi in 2003. Prior to his Zen studies Jiyu Sensei practiced and taught Transcendental Meditation for twelve years.

Jiyu’s interest in meditation began while a student at the University of California at Berkeley. Following his graduation from Berkeley Jiyu served in the Peace Corps in Saipan. He then returned to the United States to pursue a career in the public school system, co-founding the first charter school in Oceanside, California. He also worked as a financial journalist and editor of a weekly financial newspaper.

In addition to his Zen teacher responsibilities Jiyu also is a visual artist with works on display in many homes and other venues throughout the United States.

Jiyu Sensei co-founded the Three Treasures Zen Community with Jikyo Roshi and established the Vista Zen Center after receiving Dharma Transmission from Jikyo Roshi.

Both Jiyu Sensei and Jikyo Roshi champion the Home Temple concept using their own homes as temples to support students’ integration of their Zen practice with the other activities of their busy lives.

At the Vista Zen Center we follow two approaches to the study and practice of Zen. The goal for both approaches is to serve the students in integrating the way of Zen into all aspects of their lives.

One approach is called “Zendo Practice” which follows very closely the teaching Jiyu Sensei practiced under Taizan Maezumi Roshi and Nicolee Jikyo Roshi.

Sitting in zazen, working with the teacher, and working with the precepts within a community setting are the salient aspects of the “Zendo Practice”.

The second approach, “Genjo Practice” is concerned with a student’s engagements outside the traditional Zen setting. The students everyday lives become the focus of their Zen practice.

To facilitate “Genjo Practice” Jiyu Sensei encourages students to work with him focusing on a specific aspect of their lives. Often this will be something they love to do and will probably continue to do no matter what else is going on in their lives. For some students, this might be the time spent in working in a creative domain such as painting, poetry, or music. Or it might be home-schooling one’s children, taking care of the garden, or the livelihood that puts food on the table and a roof over their heads.

Intermediate:
Buddhism Without Beliefs by Stephen Batchelor
Opening the Hand of Thought by Kosho Uchiyama
Thoughts Without a Thinker by Mark Epstein
Mind of Clover by Robert Aitken, Roshi
Instructions to the Cook by Roshi Bernie Glassman and Rick Fields
Just Sitting edited by John Daido Loori, Roshi
Appreciate Your Life by Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi, Roshi

Advanced:
Moon In A Dewdrop by Eihei Dogen Zenji and Kazuaki Tanahashi
Cultivating the Empty Field by Zen Master Hongzhi
Verses From the Center by Stepehen Batchelor
Essence of the Heart Sutra by the Dalai Lama
The Teachings of Bodhidharma by Red Pine
The Diamond Sutra and the Sutra of Hui-Neng by A.F. Price, et al

Jake Jiyu Gage’s Creative Work.

Eric Daitoku Curtis’s Interactive Designs

William Leslie’s Light Sculpture

Steve Manoj Wilson’s Blog

David Clark’s Blog

Matt French’s Blog

Sean and Greg’s Compassionate Cards

Christine Foerster’s Fine Art

Alessandra Colfi’s Art and Art Therapy

Movie Night/Potluck – Date to be announced spastic bladder paxil