The Five Mountain Zen Order is a monastery without walls; a decentralized religious organization of peers living in the world with helping hands.
The Five Mountain Order is founded on the purpose of establishing and maintaining public practice and teachings in accordance with the principles of Zen Buddhism as transmitted through a lineage of masters, culminating in the teaching of Rev. Paul Yuánzhì Lynch, and thereafter through the teachings of masters and dharma holders appointed by him. These teachings are carried on through the formal education and intuitive realization of the Order’s members as they seek to save all beings from suffering, through developing charity, love, compassion and awareness.

The FMZO membership consists of Rev. Paul Yuánzhì Lynch, his dharma successors and teachers alongside the precepted students of their respective Zen groups. The FMZO maintains no affiliations with other Zen organizations or religious denominations; however, membership in the FMZO community does not preclude individual affiliation with other groups. Within the FMZO there is no hierarchy amongst dharma successors.

Zen Buddhism is universal; the medium and methods used to facilitate realization vary according to each individual’s circumstances. Dharma successors within the FMZO may apply varied practice approaches and resolve on the structure of any construct that s/he may develop to facilitate practice. The Dharma successors of the FMZO recognize that they are ongoing students and that the value of their teaching derives from the quality of their practice. As continuing students, FMZO teachers are dedicated to the openness and flexibility of practice, wherein the wisdom of the unconditional may be manifest in life. A vital constituent of this community is the continuing examination and expansion of efficacious instruction approaches to ensure all-inclusive observation in all aspects of living.

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Winter Sangha Retreat 2012
January 27 - 29, 2012
Precepts Ceremony

Zen Center of Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
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Three Day Retreat
March 30 - April 1, 2012

Beyond Walls Zen Center
Kansas City, MO
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