The Gratitude Shrine, located between the Dharma Gate and our Community Meditation Center, honors the lineage of teachers who have shaped our community and serves as a space for reverence and reflection. In March 2025, the interior was revitalized to restore fading photos and fulfill a long-standing wish of Spirit Rock founder Jack Kornfield to refresh the space.
The hexagonal building houses framed photographs of influential figures, including Spirit Rock lineage elders and Theravāda teachers, along with an altar and an urn where all are invited to place prayers written on slips of paper. These prayers are then ritually burned every New Year’s Eve.
With its updated photos and refurbished interior, the Gratitude Shrine remains a central space for reflection and appreciation.
*A special thanks to the dedicated Spirit Rock team members who worked tirelessly on this project: Christine Owens, who led the interior update of photos and information; Elana Polan, Senior Designer, for her artistic expertise; and Will Evett-Miller, Facilities Manager, for executing the renovations.