Our mission is to create a community, based on teachings of Dogen Zenji in the Soto Zen tradition which serves all whose journey brings them to Great Tree and to support a residential practice for women.
We also strive to support the local, national and southeastern Buddhist communities to integrate, explore and cultivate the spirituality of the feminine, body awareness, and family and children’s perspectives into the practice.
Great Tree Zen Temple opened her doors in September of 2005. Rev. Teijo Munnich, our founder, began her quest to establish a residential center for women in 1983. (Read more from Original Vision – Teijo’s 2002 Interview with Nancy Spence).
We encourage you to explore the pages here to find our more about ever-day practice of Soto Zen Buddhism at Great Tree.
Great Tree Zen Women’s Temple (also known as Great Tree Zen Temple) is a 501(c)3 religious organization registered with the State of North Carolina in keeping with IRS guidelines.
We are wholly supported by gifts from our friends, membership and volunteers and sangha. We are profoundly grateful for contributions who have made Teijo’s vision a reality.
For more information about programs, events, activities and Teijo’s story and teachings, please click on menu bars at the top of the page.
- About Practice – An Introduction to Practice, general information on Sesshins, Retreats, Residency and Internship, Family Meditation and Outreach to other sanghas.
- Calendar – Contains an overview of our retreat schedule for the year and a live Month to Month calendar of our events and activities
- Programs - Enroll here for events and activities. Registration instructions for retreats and sesshin with payment options.
- Support – Information about Dana, volunteer service, membership and how to help Great Tree Grow through contribution and donations
- Resources - Great Tree Newsletter and sign-up, how to volunteer, friends and links to sister sanghas, Teijo’s teachings
Our goal with this website, which went live in March of 2010, is to combine an aesthetic online presence with the authentic Great Tree experience, made possible with the help of many friends and volunteers. We hope to improve communication and outreach, making it possible to deepen Zen practice for everyone who visits.
Welcome!