About Kannon Zendo

Kannon Zendo is a Zen Meditation Center in Los Alamos, NM.  It is named after the Bodhisattva of Compassion, originally known in India as the male Avalokiteshvara, in Tibet as Chenresi, and later in China as the female Kwan Yin, whose statue  stands in the Kannon Zendo.  Being "the one who hears the cries of the world," she is said to bring solace and aid to whomever asks in deep sincerity for her assistance.  Avalokiteshvara is known Japan as  Kanzeon or Kannon.  

The Zendo is open to the public at selected times for Zen meditation. Weekly sittings are held on Thursday evenings starting at 6:30 p.m..  There are three twenty-five minute meditation periods with ten minutes of walking meditation in between. Tea is served afterwards. See the Schedule for more information on this and other related sitting and instructional opportunities in Los Alamos.

Meditation instruction may be arranged by calling Henry Chigen Finney, the Zendo’s founder and director, at 505-661-6874,  emailing him at hcfinney@mindspring.com, or writing him at 35 Barranca Road, Los Alamos, NM  87544.

The Kannon Zendo also offers periodic day-long meditation retreats (zazenkais) on Saturdays.    See the Calendar for dates and more information. These retreats start at 8:00 a.m. (arrival at 7:30 a.m.), and end in late afternoon. Those wishing to attend should contact Chigen.  Participants should come to the preparatory workshop on the preceding Friday evening at 7:00 p.m.. Half day attendance is OK, starting either at 8:00 a.m. (7:30 a.m. arrival) or 1 p.m..  Notify Chigen if you plan to attend either full or part-time.  Cost: half-day $25, full-day $35.  Please register and pay in advance.  If the lunch is formal, Oriyoki equipment is available for rent.