ZEN & Heart Practices

The Occidental Laguna Sangha is a Zen Buddhist Sangha located in Sebastopol, California. Though our emphasis is primarily Zen we integrate mindfulness and other teachings from the Vipassana and Tibetan traditions into our practice. We believe that everything that comes our way is an opportunity for opening — our work in the world, our everyday tasks, our relationships — everything is an opportunity to practice the Bodhisattva ideals of mindfulness, compassion, generosity and kindness.

We meet every Sunday at the Teen Annex, Sebastopol Cultural Center from 9-10:30. By Donation ($15 suggested). The Guiding Teacher is Bruce Fortin with 50 years of meditation experience.

Our name incorporates “Occidental,” as this is the town where we first started meeting together. The word also carries the meaning “Western,” where the Buddha Dharma is now being established. “Laguna” is where we currently meet and meditate together, right next to the beautiful Laguna de Santa Rosa in Sebastopol California.

The Sangha is respectful of all the teachings and schools of Buddhism and includes practitioners of all levels, from complete beginners to the very experienced. All are welcome to practice with us.

The guiding teacher for the Sangha is Bruce Fortin. He was ordained a Soto Zen Priest in the lineage of Suzuki Roshi in 1976 and has received Dharma Transmission to teach in that lineage. He has also studied with a number of other teachers in the Tibetan and Vipassana traditions and his teachings reflect their influence.