Shared Stewardship

The Green River Zen Center is a living mandala for the awakening of all, part of the timeless work towards liberation that began long before we arrived and will continue long after we’re no longer here.

In a model of Shared Stewardship, personal differences are appreciated for what they are, doorways to different perceptions, dreams and talents. The Zendo is organized according to the Five Buddha Wisdom Families: Buddha, Karma, Padma, Ratna, and Vajra. We translate them as: Not-knowing, Social Action, Relationship and Arts, Resources, and Study. Each is a circle of life emphasizing its own wisdom but also incorporating the other four. Together they make sure that the needs of the sangha are served in balance and harmony. Each family has its own Steward or Co-Stewards to take care of the needs and issues related to that family. Shared Stewardship is a model for self-governance; it is also a practice to bear witness to the diversity of all our members and participants, and the one sangha that emerges.

Like Kannon who has many hands and hears all the sounds of the universe, this model of self-governance trains Stewards and all Zendo members to hear as many voices as possible, and then use our different skill sets and capabilities—our many arms—to take care of ourselves and the world.

SHARED STEWARDSHIP MEETINGS ARE HELD EVERY FOUR MONTHS. ALL GRZC SANGHA MEMBERS ARE WARMLY INVITED AND STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THESE MEETINGS.