Dai Bosatsu Zendo, a modern embodiment of traditional Japanese architecture, draws inspiration from the ancient Zen temple of Tofuku-ji in Kyoto, Japan. After nearly 50 years, the passage of time has begun to leave its mark on Dai Bosatsu Zendo, and many critical elements require repair or restoration. In May 2023, we launched a monumental Monastery Restoration Campaign with a target of $1.5 million. Our Sangha’s remarkable generosity enabled us to surpass the million-dollar milestone in 2024 and initiate crucial restoration work. While we have made considerable progress, the journey toward full restoration continues in 2025. To learn more, watch the DBZ Monastery Video Series.
Where We Are
Completed Projects
- Install heat pump in Zendo
- Install heat pump in Dharma Hall
- Replace the big temple bell beams
- Prepare site for solar array
- Install solar array
- Restore leaking copper roof valley between buildings
In-progress Projects
- Install heat pumps and thermostatic control for genkan (formal entry), library, abbot’s quarters, and residents’ floor
- Install ductless mini-splits in all guest rooms
- Install ductless mini-splits in dining room, meeting room, and kaisando
- Install ductless mini-splits in dormitory, office, and tenzo (kitchen)
- Weatherstrip and insulate doors
- Treat damaging moss on the roof
- Repair the stone retaining walls
- Restore the masonry entry stairs
- Reset the bluestone patio
- Solar Array Part II: Connect solar array to utility provider
What We Need
Planned Projects: $500,000
- Repair fascia/rafter tails on roof $13,200
- Repair stairs to resident quarters $1,500
- Install dehumidifiers in utility areas $7,500
- Replace 13 handmade oak doors $50,000
- Fix wells, pipes, valves, filtration $112,565
- Renovate bathrooms/ventilation $240,500
- Construct an equipment care area $40,000
- Renovate garage and woodshed $34,725
Please consider adopting a project, contact restoreDBZ@zenstudies.org for details.
How You Can Help
When we practice at Dai Bosatsu Zendo, we experience that our spiritual growth is not separate from the building that offers the space for practice. We are now called to extend our care by embodying dana (generosity), so that current and future practitioners can continue coming home to this monastery for the next 50 years.
Contributions to restore Dai Bosatsu Zendo can be made online or by check to the Zen Studies Society. If contributing by check, please write “Monastery Restoration” on the memo line and send it to:
The Zen Studies Society
PO Box 1821
New York NY 10021
If you’re 70 1/2 or older, you can make tax-free, qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) of up to $100,000 per year to the Zen Studies Society directly from your IRA account. Starting at age 73, you must take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your IRAs. You can fulfill that requirement by designating those RMDs as qualified charitable distributions to the Zen Studies Society, thereby avoiding taxes on the gifted amount.
To learn more, explore the Monastery Restoration Brochure. Email restoreDBZ@zenstudies.org or call (201) 618-7896 with additional questions.
With deep bows of gratitude.
