New York Zendo is open for zazen from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. Monday through Thursday. This morning session is also available online. Our evening sittings run from 7 to 9 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. On Tuesday evenings, doors open at 6:30 p.m., and there are 40 minutes of zazen, followed by a tai chi class. Thursdays from 6:45 to 9 p.m. we offer Introduction to Zen Meditation, with an orientation and shorter meditation periods. Those who have never sat with us before, even those experienced in zazen or other forms of meditation, should first attend a Thursday evening class. If scheduling conflicts do not permit attendance Thursday evening, other arrangements can be made by contacting the office at office@newyorkzendo.org.
On Sundays, doors open at 9:30 a.m. We hold our morning chanting service (choka) at 10 a.m., followed by walking meditation (kinhin) and zazen. After zazen, there will be 30 minutes of temple cleaning (nittensoji), followed by informal discussion with tea and snacks.
For nonmembers, a suggested donation of $10 for each sitting you attend would be greatly appreciated.
In addition to the weekly schedule, all-day sittings, Dharma talks by guest teachers and New York Zendo members, classes, special events, and ceremonies are offered regularly throughout the year.
Please click here for our complete calendar.
We welcome you to become a member of New York Zendo/the Zen Studies Society. Membership is open to anyone who shows a sincere intention to participate in the Sangha (community). To find out more click here.
The weekly in-person schedule is listed below, an online option is indicated when available.
| Day | Doors Open | Program |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 6:30 a.m. | 6:45-7:45 a.m. – Short Morning Service & Zazen (online) |
| 6:30 p.m. | 7-9 p.m. – Zazen | |
| Tuesday | 6:30 a.m. | 6:45-7:45 a.m. – Short Morning Service & Zazen (online) |
| 6:30 p.m. | 7-9 p.m. – Zazen & Tai Chi | |
| Wednesday | 6:30 a.m. | 6:45-7:45 a.m. – Short Morning Service & Zazen (online) |
| 6:30 p.m. | 7-9 p.m. – Chanting & Zazen | |
| Thursday | 6:30 a.m. | 6:45-7:45 a.m. – Short Morning Service & Zazen (online) |
| 6:15 p.m. | 6:45-9 p.m. – Introduction to Zen Meditation, zazen, tea, and discussion | |
| Sunday | 9:30 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Full Morning Service (Choka), zazen, temple cleaning, and informal discussion with tea and snacks |
Mandala day
During World War II, separated by geographical and political gulfs, two of our esteemed Dharma ancestors, Soen Nakagawa Roshi and Ven. Nyogen Senzaki, exchanged Dharma greetings each month. These great teachers shared in chanting, zazen, and prostrations across the Pacific Ocean.
We continue this Mandala Day tradition each month. This special chanting ceremony commemorates and pays homage to the predecessors in our lineage and all related teachers, and sanghas, known and unknown, who helped to further the Buddha-Dharma.
Mandala Day is celebrated at New York Zendo’s Sunday morning service closest to the 21st of each month. Please bring tabi or white socks to the zendo for Mandala Day, or borrow tabi or socks from the temple.
Our temples are open to in-person practice, but we rely on you to help keep everyone safe, and we continue our online teachings, meetings and sittings. Read our full Health Protocols.
