By: Conner Benson
The Zen Center of Pittsburgh’s Deer Spring Temple is situated just 30 minutes outside the city of Pittsburgh in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Nestled on fourteen secluded acres amidst the forests of Western Pennsylvania, the temple provides an ideal setting for both personal and group retreats within the Zen tradition. Established in 1999, the Temple stands as the sole Soto Zen Temple in Western Pennsylvania boasting a resident priest. The mission of the Zen Center of Pittsburgh, Deep Spring Temple is to provide for the Transmission of the Buddha’s teachings and to preserve the Soto Zen Lineage through the practice and study of Soto Zen Buddhism. The Zen Center is first and foremost a place in support of The Three Treasures: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha by emphasizing the importance of both lay practice and priest training. Additionally, The Zen Center of Pittsburgh is committed to developing and maintaining an organization for Soto Zen Practice and Study for both lay members and Novice/Trainee Priests, Soto Zen Buddhism Religious Services and Events, and Educational and Cultural Programs and events that serve to nurture balance and harmony in the lives of individuals and the Community-at-large.
The Zen Center of Pittsburgh (ZCP) operates as a member of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association (SZBA), which was established in 1996. SZBA, an autonomous professional organization of Soto Zen priests, aligns itself with the Japanese Sotoshu. Its primary mission involves the preservation and promotion of Buddhadharma through the teaching and practice of Soto Zen Buddhism in North America. Simultaneously, SZBA endeavors to foster trust, respect, communication, ethical conduct, and education among the diverse sanghas of Soto Zen lineages and the broader community. Additionally, the SZBA compassionately strives to broaden the transmission of Dogen Zenji and Keizan Zenji’s practice and understanding in the Western World.
Zen originated from the teachings of the historical Buddha and underwent further development in the 7th Century within Mahayana Buddhist monasteries. Influenced in part by the Chinese Taoist tradition, Zen became distinguished by its emphasis on spontaneity and naturalness. In the 12th Century, two monks, Myoan Eisai and Eihei Dogen, independently introduced Zen Buddhism to Japan. Dogen, in particular, returned to transmit the lineage of Soto Zen Buddhism, known for its distinctive focus on the practical application of “everyday Zen.”
Soto Zen Buddhism stands out for encouraging a down-to-earth approach to practice, promoting awareness of one’s own mind as a means of living mindfully in every facet of daily life – be it at home, in the workplace, or within the community. This practice emphasizes engaging in meditation without a predefined goal, underlining the belief that everyone possesses inherent enlightenment. Seated, silent meditation serves as an expression of this philosophy.
In his work “Instructions for the Cook,” Dogen underscored the importance of activities like cooking and caring for others, placing them on equal footing with traditional Zen practices such as Zazen (sitting meditation) and sutra chanting. According to the SZBA website, Soto Zen is tailored for individuals seeking to infuse Zen into all aspects of their lives. By confronting their existence in all its dimensions, practitioners gain self-awareness and a profound understanding of their interconnectedness with all things.
Introduced in North America after the Second World War, Soto Zen has thrived, with active centers and sitting groups in most major cities, offering individuals the opportunity to embrace Zen in their diverse life pursuits.
“One inch of sitting, one inch of Buddha. Like lightning all thoughts come and pass. Just once look into your mind-depths: Nothing else has ever been.”
Manzan Dohaku (1635-1714)
The Zen Center of Pittsburgh fulfills its commitment to the Sangha community by providing a range of services, including daily meditation sessions and both monthly and annual Zen meditation intensives. The Temple welcomes visitors by appointment only, except during regular Wednesday and Sunday services, which are accessible to members and supporters of the Zen Center. It’s crucial to call ahead and coordinate with the residents to determine the most suitable time for your visit. In addition to the weekly schedule of events, the Zen Center of Pittsburgh organizes special monthly and yearly gatherings that are open to participants. An ongoing example is the Rohatsu retreat, currently scheduled from December 2nd to the 8th. This retreat is just one illustration of the unique events that enhance the Zen Center experience. The temple property also includes a two-person guest suite with one bedroom and bathroom for personal retreats and peaceful stays. This suite is not exclusive to members of the temple as anyone is welcome to reserve the suite on Airbnb, the temple only asks that you enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and respect the nature of a Buddhist Temple. Below, you’ll find the typical weekly schedule at the Zen Center of Pittsburgh.
SUNDAY
9:00AM Doors Open
9:30AM Zazen followed by Dharma Talk & Informal tea
MONDAY
Zendo closed
TUESDAY
7:00PM Orientation to Zen Practice
WEDNESDAY
6:30AM Morning Zazen
6:30PM Evening Zazen
THURSDAY
6:30AM – Zazen
FRIDAY
6:30AM – Zazen
SATURDAY
6:30AM – Doors open
7:00AM – Zazen
Before engaging in practice at the Zen Center of Pittsburgh, newcomers are required to participate in an orientation session. Once you’ve taken part in the orientation, you’ll be equipped and warmly welcomed to join any of the center’s scheduled meditation periods and services. These orientations take place at 7 pm on the third Tuesday of each month and entail a thirty-dollar registration fee. The orientation is specifically designed to delve into the realms of Zen meditation and temple practices, aiming to instill a sense of readiness for consistent attendance during scheduled Zazen and services. Newcomers are kindly advised to don comfortable, loose-fitting attire that is both subdued in style and color—suitable for meditation and temple engagement. It’s important to note that shoulders and knees should be covered, and the wearing of shorts or tank tops is discouraged during these sessions.
The temple is led by the Abbot Kotoku Ray Crivello. Abbot Kotoku Ray Crivello is a Zen Priest in the Soto Zen tradition and a member of the SZBA in the Lineage of Gengo Akiba Roshi, Administrative Head of the North American Region of the Japanese Soto School. His Zen studies began in his late teens as a temple resident at the New York Zendo Shobo-ji, in the Rinzai tradition under the Abbotship of Soen Nakagawa Roshi from 1970 to 1975. During his tenure at the New York Zendo Shobo-ji, Abbot Kotoku’s responsibilities included the day-to-day management of the temple, attending to the abbot, and guiding introductory meditation classes and retreats. In 1976, he made his way to San Francisco, where he engaged in Zen practice at the San Francisco Zen Center, including a two-year practice study at the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, until 1983. Following the completion of his university studies in 1986, he established a home practice until the late 1990s when he became a disciple of Akiba Roshi. Ordained in 2004 by Akiba Roshi at Kojin-an in Oakland, California, Abbot Kotoku underwent formal monastery training in both America and Japan, facilitated by the Japanese Soto-Shu for the training of Western Zen Priests. In 2012, he received Shiho, or Dharma Transmission, from Akiba Roshi. Recognizing his expertise, the Japanese Soto Shu Education Office appointed Kotoku as Kokusai-fukyoshi, a Teacher in the Japanese Soto School system outside Japan. In 2021 Deep Spring Temple held a Mountain Seat Ceremony installing Kotoku Crivello Roshi as Abbot of the Temple.
The Zen Center of Pittsburgh is financially supported solely by generous donations and the one-time thirty-dollar orientation fee. Friends and members pledge a donation based on a portion of their income. Many members pledge an hour’s wage each month, or 2-5% of their income while some prefer to make an annual contribution. To facilitate this support, the Zen Center welcomes donations through various channels, including cash, mobile banking, PayPal, mail, and Goodsearch.
Sources
Zen Center of Pittsburgh. (2021). Zen Center of Pittsburgh Deep Spring Temple. https://www.deepspringzen.org/
Soto Zen Buddhist Association. (2023). Soto Zen Buddhist Association. https://www.szba.org/