40th Anniversary Celebration
You’re Invited: Mountain Cloud Zen Center’s 40th Anniversary Celebration!
Saturday, August 30th and Sunday, August 31st
RSVP and purchase tickets HERE
Celebrate our community and ensure a flourishing future
40 years ago, Mountain Cloud’s Zendo doors officially opened for the first time – a feat made possible through the generosity and hard work of sangha. 20 years ago, the building was mostly vacant, used almost solely by the Santa Fe Vipassana sangha. 10 years ago, we once again had a Guiding Teacher and a growing sangha. 5 years ago, our virtual Zendo doors opened, creating a truly global sangha.
All of this leads us to today: we invite you to join us for a weekend of festivities to celebrate Mountain Cloud’s history and to envision what the next 40 years might hold.
In a time when we’re told to withdraw in fear, how can Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha remind us of the abundance that exists right here, right now?
The Dharma – the teachings – reveals our true interconnected nature. The Buddha – our teachers – guide the way. And Sangha – our community – creates the resilience to sustain us on this path.
Watch the video below for a special invite from our Executive Director, Sarah Giffin:
This is a special opportunity for us to gather together in-person to offer gratitude for the ancestors who brought us to this moment, recognize where we are now, and water the seeds of a flourishing future. When we invest in Mountain Cloud, we are investing in resilience for us and the future generations of beings that will inhabit this spiritual home, trusting in the abundance that always exists, right here.
We hope you’ll join us as we become the benevolent ancestors that our community needs.
RSVP and purchase tickets here
The Schedule
Saturday August 30th
8:30am – 9:30am: Zazen
10:00am – 10:45am: Storytelling Hike with MCZC Founders (public/free)
- Gather for a walk throughout the trails of Mountain Cloud. As we explore the land, we will hear stories from long time members and local experts about the landscape and its human and natural history.
11:00am – 1:00pm: Labyrinth-making activity on campus (public/free)
- Join us as we add the final touches to our new kinhin labyrinth by painting rocks with messages of peace, hope, and well-wishes for the world. All painting supplies will be provided—just bring your creativity and a spirit of generosity. This celebratory event is supported by the Labyrinth Resource Group of Santa Fe and marks a milestone in our community: the creation of a custom-built kinhin labyrinth on campus—a 40th birthday gift to Mountain Cloud.
5:00 – 9:00pm: Anniversary Party:
- Music, food & libations, giveaways, storytelling circle, labyrinth reveal, and keynote by Henry & Valerie ($50 ticket + $8 fees)
Sunday August 31st
8:30 – 9:30am: Zazen
10:00 – 11:00am: Future of Sanbo Zen Roundtable (public/free)
- Gather round for an open discussion of the broader Sanbo Zen sangha we are a part. Our Sanbo teachers, Board directors, and practitioners like you can discuss what this lineage means to us and how we see it evolving into the future.
11:00am – 1:00pm: Members Brunch (free/for members)
- Get to know your fellow members over brunch!
4:00 – 7:00pm: Bonus Community Event – Christy Hengst & Clare Dunne Open Studio (public/free)
- Our sangha members Christy and Clare share an art studio, and they are opening their doors to the Santa Fe Community! Includes music, food, and sweet times with fellow community members. Hosted at 2873B Industrial Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505
40th Anniversary Silent Auction
Online | Launches August 30 | Runs through September
At its heart, this celebration is all about sangha, and so we decided we wanted our annual fundraising effort to be all about sangha as well. What better way to celebrate our unique and dynamic community than an auction filled with gifts from our members — special artifacts, creations, and experiences that embody our amazing community.
The auction will be held digitally, so you can bid from wherever you are, and even share with your friends and family.
RSVPing for one of these events will automatically set you up to participate in the Auction if you’d like to.
