Clouds In Water

Founded in 1994, Clouds in Water Zen Center follows in the lineage of Dainin Katagiri Roshi, a Soto Zen monk who came to this country from Japan in the early 1960s. Katagiri Roshi worked with Shunryu Suzuki Roshi for ten years at San Francisco Zen Center, then came to Minnesota in 1972 to found the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center. 

In the beginning, Clouds in Water spent several years renting space in various churches. In 1997, they signed a lease on a warehouse in downtown St. Paul's near the Farmers' Market, where they stayed for 18 years. In 2015 Clouds in Water purchased its own building at the site of the former St. Paul Builders' Exchange at 445 Farrington St. in the historic Rondo District of St. Paul, where they are today.

 Clouds in Water is a vibrant urban community in the Soto Zen Buddhist tradition dedicated to awakening the heart of great wisdom and compassion. We welcome people of all backgrounds and faiths

Buddhist Community

• Help ensure that the activities and work at Clouds are in alignment with & advance the organization's mission
• Have oversight over and periodically review the performance of the Executive Director and Guiding Teacher
• Ensure the financial health of Clouds through oversight of assets, spending, and fundraising activities
• Help lead long-term strategic and/or development planning for the organization
• Board members who are practicing Buddhists view board service as part of (not separate from) their spiritual practice