Darah Shonin Ashton

Darah Shonin Ashton has practiced with the Zen Community of Oregon since 2009 and was made a Dharma holder in 2019.  She currently co-leads Thursday evening meditation at Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple.  Since 2019 she has served as treasurer for ZCO.  Shonin recently retired from a 30 year chiropractic career and enjoys spending more time with family and friends.  A sewing hobbyist, she happily tutors zen students through the construction of wagessas and rakusus.

Upcoming Programs by Darah Shonin Ashton

Five Buddhist Precepts for Ethical Living: Online Class Series

January 8 - February 12, 2025
These one hour online 5 Precepts classes will happen every Wednesday for six weeks. We all want to live a compassionate life. The precepts give us a framework for what it means to live an ethical life. More then a set of rules to follow, the precepts are deep inquiries into the actual living of our lives with attention and love. The format is an introductory talk followed by class discussion. Participants will be encouraged to do a short writing on each precept and practice with the precept during the week. There are also some supplemental readings.

Investigating Zen Practice: a one-day workshop

February 1, 2025

Experience an Introduction to Zen Practice through the Ten Directions. This one-day in-person workshop at Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple is for beginners or those who want to dive deeper into Zen practice. Learn how to practice using ancient methods that are applicable in today’s world: Meditation and sitting with stability Mindfulness practice off the […]

July Sesshin - Summer Breeze

Also With Patrick Bansho Green and Danney Soten Lynch

July 21 - 27, 2025
Summer is bright and alive. The sun hangs high in the sky, illuminating the earth with unflinching clarity. What wisdom does a warm summer day offer? Everything is laid bare before the luminous rays of the sun. In this meditation immersion, we will endeavor to study the self, forget the self and glimpse Buddha Nature, opening in silent communion with this community of human and non- human beings. This is our collective awakening.