Vision and Mission

VISION:  Upaya Sangha of Tucson is a lay (non-monastic) Zen Buddhist practice and teaching group dedicated to developing the relationship between traditional Buddhism and compassionate engagement with our world.

MISSION:  Upaya Sangha of Tucson’s Mission is to support a sincere and dedicated lay practice community, and to serve others by providing teaching, regular group meditation practice, occasional retreats, and other programs to promote individual and social transformation. Upaya Sangha of Tucson fosters the integration of traditional Zen Buddhism and engaged Buddhist training, cultivating greater wisdom and compassion in all activities of daily life, particularly emphasizing opportunities for service to individuals, groups, and environments where suffering is prevalent.

STRATEGY:  Upaya Sangha of Tucson realizes its vision by being a refuge to the many who come to its biweekly meetings and other activities, and offering mature programs – traditional and experimental – that meet the needs of people, society, and the environment. We do this by: Having, encouraging, and supporting a deep and consistent daily meditation practice; Having a mature and harmonious lay practice community of diversity; Offering  a dynamic practice and training program in Buddhist dharma and its extension into compassionate action; Providing regular mature dharma teaching; Having engaged and effective leadership; and Fostering inter-tradition (within Buddhism) and inter-religious dialogue.