Who are We?

One Heart Sangha is a community of individuals practicing Zen meditation in the Silver Spring metro area of Maryland. Our community began in 2001 with our founding teacher, Sensei Rose Mary Dougherty, empowered to teach and transmit the Dharma in the White Plum Asanga Soto Zen Buddhist lineage.

We invite you to our weekly Zen practice, in-person, at our zendo near downtown Silver Spring - see our location.

We also offer residential retreats (sesshins) and monthly Days of Zazen (zazenkai).

More information is on our Zen practice schedule page and the Event calendar.

Welcome!

We welcome all who wish to practice Zen meditation. As a meditation community or sangha, we are friends on the path. People of different faiths (or of no faith) find Zen practice helps to deepen their own traditions, build connections, and to practice more contemplative ways of living.

We are committed to our shared humanity - celebrating diversity, equity, inclusivity and accessibility - and are an affirming community to LGBTQI+ persons.

Teachings are freely given. We rely on our donors for overhead and training support and are a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible organization. See our Donations page for information on how to give.

We are part of the Zen Peacemakers.

Teachers

Bob JinGen Ertman, Sensei, Guiding Teacher

Rebecca MuSeiDo Hawes, Sensei, Guiding Teacher

Officially founded by Sensei Rose Mary Myoan Dougherty, One Heart Sangha “exists to support the ongoing meditation practice and compassionate presence of its members.”

We ascribe to the White Plum Asanga Code of Ethical Conduct. We also have a Harassment and Grievance Procedure. We are governed by an elected board of directors (council) and bylaws. Our council meetings are open to all.