Welcome

Mount Equity Zendo is a meditation center within the Soto Zen Lineage of Buddhism, devoted to teaching the practice of “Just Sitting". The heart of Zen is the cultivation of equanimity, patience, compassion, clarity and thus good health, within one’s personal life as well as in the wider community.

MEZ is located in the village of Pennsdale, PA overlooked by Bald Eagle Mountain and not far from the Susquehanna River. It is a 20-minute drive west to the city of Williamsport or south to Interstate 80.

Mount Equity Zendo south view

The building that serves MEZ was originally an old Quaker manor that dates back to 1810. In the 1940s it was turned into an apartment building, housing, among others, Abbess Dai-En’s family. When the Abbess returned from 15 years of Zen training in Japan she rented one of the apartments and began offering classes and retreats in meditation.

After a few more years, with the help of a growing number of students and MEZ Friends, it became possible to make use of more of the apartments. In 1998 MEZ was incorporated and became a 501(c)3 non-profit religious organization, and in 2000 MEZ purchased the building to serve as a Zen Meditation Center.

Thanks to the on-going support and generosity of MEZ Friends, both in the United States and Japan, Abbess Dai-En was officially appointed as abbess of MEZ in May of 2005 by the Soto Zen School in Japan.

Programs, retreats and classes are available for those with little or no experience in meditation, as well as for seasoned practitioners.  Abbess Dai-En is also available to officiate for weddings, baby blessings, funerals, and memorial ceremonies.

MEZ is a member of the American Zen Teachers' Association, the Association of Soto Zen Buddhism, and the Soto Zen Buddhist Association.