Membership in the Soto Zen Buddhist Association

An Update from the SZBA Board: August 2025

The SZBA is pleased to share the adoption of the Cultivating a More Inclusive SZBA Membership plan, using the SZBA’s Major Decision Making process. After two years of community input and careful deliberation, we are confident that the changes we have adopted to membership will be a benefit to SZBA, to Soto Zen, and to our wider communities.

Some of the adopted changes will manifest in the ways our members can serve SZBA over time. For example, all members, regardless of Dharma Heritage status, will now have the right to vote on major decisions and to participate in the leadership of the organization.

The most immediate changes are to the membership application and to the standards for Dharma Heritage membership regarding intensive and online practice. If you have received Dharma Transmission and have not applied for full membership because you did not meet the standards previously, or if you found the application overly daunting, we encourage you to review the new standards and consider applying at this time.

The materials below have been updated to reflect these changes. If you have any questions about SZBA membership or the application process, please contact Kigen Breckenridge at info@szba.org.

As an SZBA member you:

  • Support an organization that is working to preserve and promote the Buddhadharma through the teaching and practice of Soto Zen Buddhism in North America, and facilitate trust, respect, communication, ethical conduct, and education among the many sanghas of Soto Zen lineages and in the wider community

  • Receive regular e-newsletters about what's going on in the SZBA, including member-to-member announcements

  • Have access to the private member's section of our website where you can find  member directories, Board minutes, committee updates, and resources from past conferences and other members

  • Are invited to provide input into the direction of the SZBA through participation on committees (these often meet by Zoom), providing feedback to the board, and nominating or serving as a board member (the board always includes at least one associate member)

  • Are invited to attend our biennial conferences

  • Have access to our SZBA member forum, where members can provide one another with updates, ask questions, or start discussions (contact the Operations Manager if you are not on this list but would like to be, or if your email address has recently changed)

  • Are invited to participate in SZBA Peer Groups, SZBA Mentoring & other future SZBA membership programs.
    SZBA offers two categories of membership. SZBA membership and Dharma Heritage membership.

SZBA offers two categories of membership. SZBA membership and Dharma Heritage membership.

SZBA Membership:
Soto Zen Buddhist priests are eligible for SZBA membership if:

  • they have received ordination in-person in a recognized Soto Zen lineage and are in training with a Soto Zen priest who has received Dharma Transmission in a recognized Soto Zen lineage

  • they have received Dharma Transmission in a recognized Soto Zen lineage.

Use this link to apply for SZBA membership or email info@szba.org for more information.


SZBA Dharma Heritage Membership:
Currently, Soto Zen Buddhist priests are eligible for SZBA Dharma Heritage membership if they have received ordination and Dharma Transmission in-person in a recognized Soto Zen lineage, and meet SZBA Member Standards. A recognized Soto Zen lineage is one that can trace ordination and Dharma Transmission from teacher to disciple back to a Soto Zen priest recognized by the Soto Shu in Japan, although the lineage may no longer maintain an active standing with the Soto Shu. It is expected that ordination and Dharma Transmission ceremonies occur in-person and according to the traditions of the lineage.

You can view the Dharma Heritage membership application here.

Membership Application Equity Council (MAEC)
The SZBA recognizes that to create equity, proactive ongoing efforts to create a multicultural, inclusive, and accessible community are necessary. As a part of this effort we have created the Membership Application Equity Council (MAEC) to provide support and accommodations to applicants for SZBA membership who are members of marginalized communities such as, but by no means limited to, people of color and people with disabilities. To apply please fill out this form, or feel free to contact info@szba.org with questions.