Instructor Certification

Instructor Training and Certification Program
– A 64-hour course with online real-time group training and exams
– In-person training available at your local Center
– Becoming a certified Zen instructor to lead Zen meditation class

Read this webpage thoroughly before registering for the Instructor Training and Certification Program 2020-2021.

We provide the Instructor Training and Certification Program for practitioners who are dedicated to advance their Zen practice and have the willingness, enthusiasm, and compassion for carrying on the lineage teaching of None Zen Center.

Instructor Training and Certification Program is part of the disciple training, as the Center’s disciple training is not only for the deed of personal enlightenment but also for serving the purpose of training the Center’s future Zen masters to lead more people to enlightenment. All disciples are required to register for the Instructor Training and Certification Program. Check for the discipleship.

When completing the training and passing the exam, you will be given the Zen Instructor/Assistant certificate and have the opportunity to lead/assist Beginner’s Class and/or Bridging Class in the Center. To ensure the teaching quality, we provide annual instructor training and exam and give certificates with one-year validity. Instructors/assistants are required to take the annual training, pass the exam, and renew their certificates annually.

Please feel free to email us at friend@nonezencenter.org if you are interested in taking the training or have any questions or inquiries.

Requirements

For first time candidates –

1. Must be a disciple. If not a disciple yet, must have applied for discipleship

2. Must have been taking Advanced Class continuously for at least 4 months before the annual training starts.

3. Must have been taking Disciple Training Program continuously for at least 3 months before the annual training starts, although some exceptions may apply.

4. Must have attended at least one Annual Zen Retreat held by None Zen Center, although some exceptions may apply.

For renewal candidates –

1. Must be a disciple.

2. Must have been taking Advanced Class and Disciple Training Program continuously for one year before the annual training starts.

3. Must have attended the Annual Zen Retreat held by None Zen Center in the previous year, although some exceptions may apply.

Qualifications

1. Having the right view about Zen and Zen meditation and working on investigating Zen dedicatedly and continually

2. Capable of sharing your Zen meditation experience truthfully

3. Willing to create/maintain/support a Zen learning environment to deliver the linage teaching of None Zen Center

4. Caring about your fellow practitioners and willing to do your best to take care of your fellow practitioners

5. Willing to train yourself hard to lead Beginner’s Zen Class and Bridging Class to accord with the standard teaching materials provided by None Zen Center

Evaluation

For first time candidates, the evaluation will be conducted in the Advanced Class, Disciple Training Program, Instructor Training and Exam, and the interaction with Shifus (Zen Masters) of None Zen Center.

For renewal candidates, the evaluation will be conducted throughout the year.

Certificates

We provide three levels of certificates. Qualified candidates will be given an Instructor/Assistant Certificate with one-year validity and will be authorized to lead/assistant Beginner’s Class and/or Bridging Class in None Zen Center.

Level 0 Assistant Certificate: assisting Beginner’s Zen Class and Bridging Class

Level 1 Instructor Certificate: leading Bridging Class

Level 2 Instructor Certificate: leading Beginner’s Zen Class and Bridging Class.

We strongly recommend registering for Level 2 training and exams to have full training.

Cancellation of Certificate

None Zen Center reserves the right to cancel the Instructor/Assistant Certificate without prior notice.

Registration and Fees

All disciples are required to register for the Instructor Training and Certificate Program. The 2020-2021 Program will be open for registration from Sep 28 – Oct 20, 2020 (PDT).

In the registration form, registrants may select the instructor level, training, and exam that they intend to take. However, we strongly suggest registering Level 2 training and exams for full training.

Like all the meditation classes and retreats provided by None Zen Center, the Instructor Training and Certification Program is tuition-free. As a non-profit organization that is run entirely by donations, we sincerely ask you considering a US$500 donation for this 64-hour program and a tuition-free Zen environment. Any gifts of greater or lesser sums are all appreciated.

if you are interested in taking the training or have any questions or inquiries, please email us at friend@nonezencenter.org.

Annual Training and Exam Schedule

The 2020-2021 training material will be available for candidates accepted to the Program as early as Sep 28, 2020 (PDT). Candidates are required to study the training material, practice the teaching skills, and train themselves in leading classes to accord with the standard teaching materials before the annual group training. Please check your local Center if in-person instructor training classes available.

The annual group training and group exam will be held online in real-time via Zoom. Accepted candidates will receive the email notices for the guidelines of attending the training and exams. Please check below the 2020-2021 annual group instructor training and exam schedule.

None Zen Center reserves the right to accept and reject registrations, change the schedule, modify the number of hours of training and exams, and cancel the training and exams.

Click to register for the Instructor Training and Certification Program 2020 – 2021.

Instructor Training 2020 – 2021

Level 0

Level 1

Level 2

Zen Assistant

Zen Instructor – Level 1

Zen Instructor – Level 2

Assisting Beginner’s and Bridging Class

Leading Bridging Class

Leading Beginner’s and Bridging Class

Assisting Beginner’s Class

Monitoring daylong retreat

Training

1 hour lecture class: Becoming a Zen Instructor at None Zen Center

5 hours Level 0 Group Training

5 hours Levle 0 Group Training

* 15 hours Level 0 Self-training (suggested)

6 hours Levle 1 Training Class

7 hours Levle 1 Group Training

* 15 hours Level 0 Self-training (suggested)

6 hours Level 2 Training Class

* 18 hours Level 1 Self-training (suggested)

8 hours Level 2 Group TRaining

* 15 hours Level 0 Self-training (suggested)

* 18 hours Level 1 Self-training (suggested)

* 24 hours Level 2 Self-training (suggested)

Exam

Video Exam

Written Exam

Video Exam

Certificate Ceremony

1 hour Instructor Certificate Ceremony

Training Schedule

Level 0

Level 1

Level 2

New

candidates

Renewal

candidates

New

candidates

Renewal

candidates

New

candidates

Renewal

candidates

San Jose, CA

2020/10/31

Sat 2pm – 4pm

PDT

Group Training:

Level 0 – 1

1. End bell

2. Gathering bell

3. Board

4. Standing

5. Walking

San Jose, CA

2021/01/16

Sat 2pm – 5pm

Training Class:

Level 1- 1

Optioanl

San Jose, CA

2021/03/06

Sat 2pm – 5pm

Training Class:

Level 2- 1

Optioanl

Manchester, UK

2020/10/31
Sat 10pm –

2020/11/01
Sun 12am

Manchester, UK

2021/01/ 16

Sat 10pm –

2021/01/17

Sun 1am

Manchester, UK

2021/03/06

Sat 10pm –

2021/01/07

Sun 1am

Taiwan

2020/11/01

Sun 5am – 7am

Taiwan

2021/01/17

Sun 6am – 9am

Taiwan

2021/03/07

Sun 6am – 9am

San Jose, CA

2020/11/07

Sat 1:30pm – 4:30pm

PST

Group Training and Exam:

Level 0 – 2

1. Sitting posture

2. Massage Exercise

San Jose, CA

2021/01/20

Wed 6pm –

2021/01/24

Sun 6pm

Written Exam:

Level 1

San Jose, CA

2021/03/10 –

Wed 6pm –

2021/03/14

Sun 6pm

Written Exam:

Level 2

Manchester, UK

2020/11/07 Sat 9:30 pm –
2020/11/08 Sun 12:30 am

Manchester, UK

2021/01/21

Thu 2am –

2021/01/25

Mon 2am

Manchester, UK

2021/03/11

Thu 2am –

2021/03/15

Mon 2am

Taiwan

2020/11/08

Sun 5:30 am – 8:30 am

Taiwan

2021/01/21

Thu 10am –

2021/01/25

Mon 10am

Taiwan

2021/03/11

Thu 10am –

2021/03/15

Mon 10am

San Jose, CA

2021/01/23

Sat 2pm – 3pm

Lecture Class:

Becoming a Zen Instructor at None Zen Center

(all levels)

Manchester, UK

2021/01/23

Sat 10pm – 11pm

Taiwan

2021/01/24

Sun 6am – 7am

San Jose, CA

2021/01/23

Sat 3:30pm – 6:30pm

Training Class:

Level 1 – 2

San Jose, CA

2021/03/13

Sat 2pm – 5pm

Training Class:

Level 2 -2

Manchester, UK

2021/01/23

Sat 11:30pm –

2021/01/24

2:30am

Manchester, UK

2020/03/13

Sat 10pm –

2020/03/14

Sat 1am

Taiwan

2021/01/24

Sun 7:30am – 10:30am

Taiwan

2021/03/14

Sun 6am – 9am

San Jose, CA

2021/01/30

Sat 2pm – 9pm

Group Training and Exam:

Level 1

San Jose, CA

2021/03/20

Sat 3pm – 11pm

Group Training and Exam:

Level 2

Manchester, UK

2021/01/30

Sat 10pm –

202101/31

Sun 5am

Manchester, UK

2020/03/20

Sat 11pm –

2020/03/21

Sun 7am

Taiwan

2021/01/31

Sun 6am – 1pm

Taiwan

2021/03/21

San 6am – 2pm

Deadline for

video exam

Exam videos

Deadline for

video exam

Exam videos

Deadline for video exam

Exam videos

San Jose, CA

2020/12/06

Sun 1am

L0.1_End bell_Your Name

L0.2_Gathering bell

L0.3_Board

L0.4_Standing

L0.5_Walking

L0.6_Meditation gear

L0.7_Sitting Posture (easy, half-lotus, full lotus)

L0.8_Massage Exercise

San Jose, CA

2021/02/28

Sun 6pm

GL1.1_Welcome back, let’s check your homework

GL1.2_Why are you here?

GL1.3_Not thinking of good and evil

GL1.4_Duality: good and evil

GL1.5_Doubt on this dualistic you

GL1.6_Tips for progress

GL1.7_Does this method work?

GL1.8_Practice a day, progress a day

GL1.9_Zen Diary

GL1.10_Home work to complete befoer next class

San Jose, CA

2021/04/11

Sun 1am

BL1.1_Welcome to None Zen Center

BL1.2_Rules to comply with

BL1.3_Meditation gear

BL1.4_Sitting posture (easy, half-lotus, full lotus)

BL1.5_Exercise_think of nothing

BL1.6_The purpose of practicing Zen meditation

BL1.7_Meditation method 1_breath counting meditation

BL1.8_What have you learned from your meditation?

BL1.9_Tips for progress

BL1.10_Homework to complte befoer next class

Manchester, UK

2020/12/06

Sun 9am

Manchester, UK

2021/03/01

Mon 2am

GL2.1_Welcome back, let’s check your homework

GL2.2_The ancient method

GL2.3_The steps of doubting meditation

GL2.4_Step 1: generate the doubt sensation

GL2.5_What doubt is and is not

GL2.6_Tips for generating the doubt sensation

GL2.7_The worst, most misleading words

GL2.8_Doubt on all your mind movements

GL2.9_Step 2: keep doubting

GL2.10_Zen diary

GL2.11_Home work to complete before next class

Manchester, UK

2020/04/11

Sun 9am

BL2.1_Welcome back, lets check your homework

BL2.2_Meditation method 2_just breathing meditation

BL2.3_Massage exercise

BL2.4_What have you learned from your meditation?

BL2.5_The ultimate solution for your life

BL2.6_Homework to complete before next class

Taiwan

2020/12/06

Sun 5pm

Taiwan

2021/03/01

Mon 10am

GL3.1_Welcome back, let’s check your home work

GL3.2_The ancient method

GL3.3_Tips for practicing doubting meditation

GL3.4_Don’t take the Truth as a theory

GL3.5_What doubt is and is not

GL3.6_Tips to progress

GL3.7_Doubt on all your mind movements

GL3.8_Step 2: Keep doubting

GL3.9_Tips for building up the stream

GL3.10_What’s next?

GL3.11_Why are you here?

Taiwan

2021/04/11

Sun 4pm

BL3.1_Welcome back, let’s check your homework

BL3.2_Why are you here?

BL3.3_What is Zen?

BL3.4_How do we investigate Zen

BL3.5_The ancient method

BL3.6_Meditation method 3_doubting meditation

BL3.7_What doubt is

BL3.8_Homwork to complete before next week

San Jose, CA

2021/05/15

Sat 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm

PST

Instructor Certificate Ceremony

(all levels)

Manchester, UK

2021/05/15

Sat 11:15pm –

2021/05/16

Sun 12:15am

Taiwan

2021/05/16

Sun 6:15am – 7:15am