The Five Mountain Zen Order was founded in 2008 by Rev. Paul Yuánzhì Lynch as the Monastery Without Walls. Our motto is: "In the world with helping hands."

The mission of this unique religious organization of decentralized peers is to establish and maintain 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. Thereafter, the principles will be passed on through the teachings of masters and Dharma holders appointed by Rev. Lynch. Ultimately, the age-old principles of Zen will be 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 Five Mountain Zen Order (FMZO) consists of Rev. Paul Yuánzhì Lynch, his Dharma successors and teachers alongside the precepted students of their respective Zen groups. 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 component of the Five Mountain Zen Order community is the continuing examination and expansion of efficacious instruction approaches to ensure all-inclusive observation in every aspect of life.

-------------------------------------
Three-Day Retreat
March 30 - April 1, 2012
Precepts Ceremony

Beyond Walls Zen
Kansas City, MO
-------------------------------------

Beyond Walls Zen
(Kansas City, MO)

Bo Kwang Zen Center
(St. Louis, MO)

Center for Clinical Mindfulness
(Cincinnati, OH)

Clinton Zen Group
(Clinton, IA)

Mountain Gate Zen Center
(Berkeley, CA)

Ocean Eyes Zen Center
(Huntington Beach, CA)

Only Love Zen Sitting Group
(Grand Rapids, MI)

Open Sky Zen Group
(New York, NY)

Perceive Sound Zen Community
(Danville, IL)