

Moksha Zenji
Eisho Chozen
Joining the Step One Zen Sangha
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Becoming a part of the Step One Zen Sangha is more than just joining a group—it’s stepping into a family, bound by a shared commitment to awakening and transforming the world. Traditionally, this might be referred to as becoming a member of the board, but in our sangha, we go beyond titles. We are active in every facet of Step One Zen, working together with a deep sense of purpose and connection. Currently, we have five dedicated members who embody this vision.
Joining our sangha is a mindful process, as we thoughtfully expand our team to include those who share our vision. It’s not just about running Step One Zen; it’s about aligning with the vows of awakening all beings. When you join the sangha, you’re committing to a movement that seeks to create lasting change on a global scale. Together, we are building something monumental—something that honors life, love, and interconnectedness.
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The vows we take as members of the sangha reflect our deep commitment to compassion, wisdom, and non-dual awakening. These vows guide our work and our way of being in the world.
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The Bodhisattva Vows
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Beings are numberless; I vow to save them.
We recognize that all beings are interconnected, and in that recognition, we commit to helping others awaken to their true nature. In non-duality, to save others is to save ourselves, for we are all part of the One Life. -
Delusions are inexhaustible; I vow to end them.
Delusions arise from the illusion of separateness. By ending delusions, we vow to dissolve the barriers that keep us from seeing reality as it is: whole, unified, and free from suffering. -
Dharma gates are boundless; I vow to enter them.
Each moment is a gateway to understanding the truth of existence. In every experience, we find the potential for awakening. Our vow is to enter all Dharma gates with full presence, knowing each one leads deeper into the heart of non-dual reality. -
The Buddha Way is unsurpassable; I vow to embody it.
The path of awakening is limitless. In embodying the Buddha Way, we vow to walk the path of truth, compassion, and wisdom—realizing our interconnectedness and bringing that realization into every aspect of our lives.
The Three Pure Precepts
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Do No Evil
We commit to refraining from harm, knowing that harm stems from ignorance of our inherent unity. To "do no evil" is to live in alignment with the understanding that all beings are part of the One Life, and to harm another is to harm ourselves. -
Do Good
Goodness flows naturally from the recognition of oneness. Doing good means acting from the heart of compassion, allowing our love for all beings to guide us in each action. In non-duality, doing good is a natural expression of our true nature. -
Save All Beings
We vow to serve all beings by guiding them toward the realization of their true nature. Saving beings means helping them awaken to the truth of non-duality, where suffering dissolves in the recognition that there is no separation between self and other.
The Ten Grave Precepts
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Do Not Kill
To kill is to act out of the illusion of separation. In non-duality, we honor the life force in all beings, recognizing that we are deeply interconnected. Killing is not only physical but also emotional and spiritual, and we commit to preserving life in all its forms. -
Do Not Steal
Stealing comes from a mindset of scarcity, from the illusion that we are separate from abundance. In non-duality, there is nothing to steal, as everything arises from and returns to the same source. We vow to respect the flow of life and resources, knowing we already possess everything we need. -
Do Not Misuse Sex
Misusing sex arises from treating others as objects rather than recognizing their full humanity. In the oneness of non-duality, all relationships are sacred, and this vow calls us to honor the divine connection in ourselves and others. -
Do Not Lie
Lies are born from fear and the desire to protect or manipulate the illusion of self. Truth-telling aligns us with the integrity of non-dual awareness, where there is no separate self to defend. We vow to live and speak from this deeper truth. -
Do Not Cloud the Mind with Intoxicants
Intoxicants obscure the clear seeing of reality. In non-duality, the mind is naturally clear and present, and this precept invites us to protect that clarity so we can experience life as it is—free from delusion. -
Do Not Speak of Others' Faults
Criticism of others stems from egoic judgment and reinforces the illusion of separation. In non-dual awareness, we see the Buddha-nature in everyone. This vow encourages us to cultivate compassion and to refrain from divisive speech. -
Do Not Praise Yourself at the Expense of Others
Praising oneself at the expense of others is an expression of the ego’s need to feel superior. In non-duality, there is no one to elevate or diminish—we are all inherently worthy and interconnected. -
Do Not Be Possessive
Possessiveness arises from the belief that we can own or control something. In non-duality, there is no ownership, as everything arises from and returns to the One. This vow invites us to let go of attachment and trust the natural flow of life. -
Do Not Harbor Ill Will
Ill will comes from the illusion of "otherness." In non-duality, we understand that to hold hatred for another is to harm ourselves. This vow calls us to release resentment and cultivate compassion for all beings. -
Do Not Defame the Three Treasures (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha)
To defame the Three Treasures is to reject the truth of our own Buddha-nature, the teachings of reality, and the support of community. In non-duality, the Three Treasures represent the interconnected web of life, and honoring them is a commitment to our shared awakening.
The Three Refuges
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I take refuge in the Buddha
Taking refuge in the Buddha means recognizing that Buddha-nature exists within all beings, and we commit to awakening that nature in ourselves and others. -
I take refuge in the Dharma
The Dharma is the truth of existence, and we vow to live in alignment with it. In non-duality, the Dharma reflects the reality of interconnection, guiding us toward wisdom and compassion. -
I take refuge in the Sangha
The Sangha is the community of practitioners, but in a non-dual sense, all beings are part of the Sangha. We take refuge in the collective support of all life as we walk the path together.
Join us at Step One Zen as we take these vows together, committing to the awakening of all beings and creating lasting change through compassion, wisdom, and action.





Brian Paul D.G
Dave Wiebe
David Hamilton

May you walk the path of awakening hand in hand with your sangha, knowing that together, you are stronger than any one of you alone. May your hearts open to one another in trust, compassion, and support, as each step taken by one is a step for all. In moments of joy and in moments of struggle, may you remember that your sangha is a mirror, reflecting the truth of your interconnectedness. Through this shared journey, may you find the courage to be vulnerable, the strength to be present, and the joy of knowing that you are never walking this path alone.