A Message

My name is Venerable Jitei Bochi White (Jitei translates as Compassionate Gardener, Bochi translates as Cemetery) just a Zen monk and founder of Antei-ji

I have practiced this Way for more than four decades, under teachers who taught simplicity and the courage to stand alone when necessary. What developed in me was a living vow: keep it simple, keep it real, keep it true.

Antei-ji was born from that vow.

Antei-ji means The Temple in the Garden of Peace.

Antei-ji is non sectarian, neither Soto nor Rinzai but comes from a place before Zen split in two. Much of our practice and teaching comes from the life and example of one of the great masters of Tang Chan, he goes by the name of Venerable Zhao Zhou Congshen. 

Over time, Zen has too often been reduced to technique, therapy, or a cultural performance. Too often severed from the deep vow and the dedication that once gave it life and vitality. I have seen so much change in even the past four decades of Zen, both here in the West but also in the East. Anteiji stands in response to this drift.

Our sangha is small, sincere, and stubbornly devoted to the marrow of practice. We are not here to offer comfort or lifestyle upgrades. We are here to wake up. We are here to serve. We are here to face our own mind and to help others do the same.

Zazen, the daily grind of attention, the humility of mopping the toilet floor, the raw honesty of meeting each other without masks, the day to day walking of the cemetery grounds, this is our temple.

If you come here, come with your whole life.

If you stay, stay because something in you refuses to settle for anything less than complete truth.

We welcome you.