(click on any of the above pictures for a bigger view)
The Providence Zen Center is a serene and tranquil Zen Buddhist temple in northeastern Rhode Island. Green, lush and alive with the songs of birds in the warmer months, breathtakingly silent and still in the winter, the grounds include fifty beautiful acres with woods, two ponds, and an orchard. Our facility's meeting/meditation rooms are elegantly simple and beautifully finished with hardwood floors, both in the Zen Center and in the more traditional Diamond Hill Zen Monastery. Located close to four major highways, Providence Zen Center is twenty minutes north of Providence and an hour from Boston.
We invite you to consider Providence Zen Center for your next workshop or retreat. Our caring and professional staff can accommodate your group's unique needs and make your visit as easy and comfortable as possible.
Our rates are extremely reasonable and our facility, accommodations, and staff guarantee that your needs will be met.
360º panographic photographs of the Providence Zen Center can be seen at the Brightridge 360 website.
We appreciate your taking the time to read this information carefully. Please write if you have any questions. We try to be flexible whenever possible.
(1750 square feet) Comfortably holds up to 75 people. This bright open space has a full southern wall of windows adjoining the upper level of a greenhouse, and a cathedral ceiling.
(1000 square feet) Comfortably holds up to 30 people. This bright, spacious room has a polished hardwood floor. It is directly adjacent to the Guest Suite and also has a private entrance from outside.
Meditation cushions and mats are provided. Guests are invited to walk around the grounds. There is a beautiful pond near the dining room.
(1250 square feet) The Guest Suite consists of three rooms like the one pictured above, with full windows overlooking a pagoda, and a skylit partitioned space. The area will sleep about eighteen people on futons; the floor is carpeted wall-to-wall. This private, self-contained space includes a full bathroom (more are nearby) and is adjacent to the Upstairs Meditation Room.
(600 square feet) The Abbot's House is a separate residence just a few steps from the main building. The five rooms and a loft will comfortably accommodate eighteen people on futons.
There are four rooms in the main building with beds, which are customarily offered to your teachers and any group members with special needs. Usually, it is possible to provide a few other semi-private rooms with futons.
For extra-large groups, we have overflow sleeping areas available.
In order to keep costs reasonable, sleeping accommodations are simple (futons on the floor with a fitted sheet.) Guests bring their own sleeping bags, pillows, towels, and toiletries. Overnight guests are welcome to use the sauna.
Providence Zen Center has a large, fully-equipped kitchen and a lovely, bright dining area. Our cooks prepare delicious, nutritious vegetarian meals, and are available to work with you to meet your food needs. Dining at Providence Zen Center is buffet style, with meals eaten in bowls, and guests sitting on cushions on the floor. Smaller groups can use tables and chairs if preferred. A refreshment table will be available throughout the day for your convenience.
Please reserve space well in advance. For weekend dates, we suggest you contact us six to eighteen months in advance and have several alternate dates to discuss. For weekday dates, one to three months notice is usually enough.
We'll be happy to show you around by appointment, and answer your questions at any time. Please write pzc@kwanumzen.org or call us at 401/658-1464.
We look forward to having you as our guest.