The phrase Zen center was coined by American students of Shunryu Suzuki in the mid-twentieth century, and the San Francisco Zen Center became the first Zen center, incorporating in 1962. Neither temples nor monasteries, Zen centers occupy a unique place in the historical development of Zen Buddhism and of Buddhism in the United States. As Zen practice has expanded throughout the United States over the last fifty years, the variety of Zen centers has increased. While some are now the homes of wealthy communities in major cities, and some are in traditional mountain settings, other Zen centers have either humble or no permanent physical location - meeting in members' private homes, university classrooms, and Quaker Meeting Houses to name but a few examples. While large and established Zen centers may serve as the residence of priests, monks, and lay people, smaller and more rural Zen centers may have no ordained members. Although some recent studies have been made regarding Zen in America, the area remains under researched, and still quite heterogeneous.
Architecture
While the exteriors of the centers frequently fit in with the areas they inhabit the interiors tend to have Asian influences. While not required, most Zen centers have a zendo or meditation hall. Zen centers may have residents, also known as monks and nuns, who may live in the center's residence area. Most have kitchens and communal areas. Some centers do not have mirrors in the bathrooms. This is to assist the practitioner from focusing on unimportant parts of zen practice, such as facial appearance.
Zen center resident life
Life as a resident is different from lay life. Residential rooms and common areas lack televisions and other common modern pastimes. Access to many creature comforts are reduced. Residents are required to perform daily chores. Times for zazen and other aspects of practice are built into the daily schedule. Superfluous talking is discouraged; instead a resident should be practicing mindfulness in all they do.
Etiquette
As in Asian cultures, shoes are not worn in most areas of a zen center. Members of Zen centers have access to areas outside of public areas. It is not considered polite to wander around the Zen center unescorted. At most centers, the abbot or Roshi is available by appointment only. A level of respect must always be observed with regard to all things in the center from the Roshi to the kitchen. When entering the Zendo, bow towards the Buddha with hands held in Gassho. If anyone is sitting in the Zendo all effort to remain quiet must be observed.
Donations
Most centers rely on donations from private individuals.
Community involvement
Many centers are located in urban areas. In an effort to increase acceptance, centers often have community programs designed to be beneficial to the community as a whole. This is also a tenet of Buddhism.
