Online: The Path of No Path – A Ten-Week Course

June 19, 2026 by Siobhán Burke

The Path of No Path is a ten-week online course that explores a paradox at the heart of Buddhism.

Buddhism rests upon a paradox: though we are inherently all Buddhas, we still muddle through life sampling every flavor of dissatisfaction (Dukkha).

Why this happens and how to rediscover our Buddha nature was described by Shakyamuni in his first teaching following his awakening, when he declared four ennobling truths and the eightfold path leading to the end of Dukkha.

Yet the recorded teachings of Zen masters such as Bodhidharma, Rinzai and countless others make no mention of the four ennobling truths or the eightfold path. Their message is more direct: you have only to drop everything and awaken to the mind, and it can be done right this moment. In fact, it can only be done right this very moment. This is the path of no path.

How do we reconcile the eightfold path and the path of no path?

Ten-week course structure

This ten-week course led by Hokuto Daniel Diffin Oshō will look at the four noble truths and the eightfold path from multiple perspectives, including the Theravadan and Mahayana traditions, as well as contemporary “secular buddhism” as espoused by Stephen Batchelor. But the major emphasis will be on Zen teachings, particularly Bodhidharma, Huineng (Eno), Rinzai and Dogen.

The reading list will include Bikkhu Bodhi’s The Noble Eightfold Path: Way to the End of Suffering, Stephen Batchelor’s Buddhism Without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening, as well as selections from The Zen Teachings of Bodhidharma, The Book of Rinzai, Shobogenzo, and Two Zen Classics.

Online classes will meet on 10 Sundays from 4-5:30 pm, starting September 27, 2026.

There will be no class on Sundays during sesshin at Dai Bosatsu Zendo or New York Zendo: October 4 and 25, November 8, December 6.

The fee for this class is $150 for nonmembers and $100 for Zen Studies Society (ZSS) members. Note that the member price is for ZSS members only – please consider becoming a Supporting Member. If you are able to support students in financial difficulty, please consider making an additional donation. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, you may apply for a reduced rate here.

DBZ: 50th Anniversary Celebration

June 8, 2026 by Siobhán Burke

On Saturday, July 4, 2026, we will gather at Dai Bosatsu Zendo to celebrate fifty years of continuous Rinzai Zen practice on Dai Bosatsu mountain. As Chigan Roshi says, the gates of Dai Bosatsu Zendo are wide open.

Let us come together as a wider Sangha — to acknowledge the history of Dai Bosatsu Zendo, reflect on the practice that has unfolded here over five decades, and give thanks for the effort that has sustained the monastery across generations. The day will include a commemorative ceremony, lunch, and time together in this beautiful place.

Space is limited. Once capacity is reached, registration will continue as a waiting list. If you have questions before registering, please email office@daibosatsu.org.

Unable to join us in person? The 11:00 am ceremony will be streamed via Zoom, free to attend, with donations gratefully welcomed. Zoom link will be emailed to registered online attendees ahead of the event (register below).

And whether near or far, all are invited to support this milestone with a donation in honor of the 50th Anniversary.

Anniversary sesshin participants will be contacted separately about the event.

If the event is showing as fully booked, come back later – further tickets may be released at a later date, if pre-registered guests choose not to attend.

NYZ: Summer Calligraphy and Tea Workshops

June 5, 2026 by Siobhán Burke

Self: What Is Self? Who is the one who thinks, feels, and wonders?

Through tea, calligraphy, and contemplation of the Dao De Jing, we gather to explore the nature of self and cultivate a kinder relationship with our inner world.

Join us in the quiet of summer evenings for tea in the garden, brush and ink in the Dharma Hall, and the companionship of fellow seekers.

Dates & Times

Four Fridays starting 7/10

6:00–6:30 PM — Garden Tea
6:30–8:00 PM — Calligraphy Practice

Location
New York Zendo Shobo-ji

Fee
$150 for four workshops
$40 for a single workshop

Registration
Venmo: @pencilnyc
Zelle: inesthsun@gmail.com

A place to slow down, listen inwardly, and discover friendship within and around you.

DBZ: Ohashi Touch, Zen Touch

May 26, 2026 by Siobhán Burke

Ohashi and instructors will teach the essence of the OHASHIMethod — offering effective techniques that achieve the joy of giving and receiving. Lessons will include the principles of tonus, cross-patterning for fluidity of movement, the correspondence between mother and messenger hand, and the importance of hara. Comparisons and parallels to Pilates and Yoga will also be explored. There will be class each morning with Ohashi and a Certified Ohashiatsu® Instructor, and supervised practice sessions in the afternoon.

Each morning there will be Zen meditation, followed by breakfast and then class. Students are expected to participate in the daily Zen Buddhist practices of meditation and silent meals.

Additional Zen Buddhist studies can be had upon request. In their free time, participants may hike the grounds, swim and boat in the lake, or simply rest.

The course is open to students at all levels. The course runs from Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7th, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is strongly recommended to arrive during daylight hours on Friday, September 4th, the day before class begins. If you are coming from overseas, we advise you to arrive one day earlier on Thursday, September 3rd – Ohashi Room Rates 2026

Ohashi and Kazu will arrive on Wednesday, September 2nd. All students are encouraged to arrive early and join them at Dai Bosatsu Zendo.

ATTENTION: The cost for this course is in addition to the Room & Board fee. To register and pay for the course please visit OHASHIMethod.
Room reservations include Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday night (check in September 4th, check out September 7th.) You may also reserve additional nights. Room and Board fee includes 3 meals a day. Complete room information is available here: Ohashi Room Rates 2026

To book a standard monastery room, purchase a ticket below. To book a renovated room in the Beecher House, or for any questions, please email juyo@zenstudies.org. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

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Tutorials & Sessions: During Ohashi’s visit, he will conduct a special 4-person tutorial for dedicated students and practitioners. This is a one-on-one learning opportunity to “work with” and “work on” Ohashi. Individual sessions will be available from Ohashi and Certified Ohashiatsu® Instructors. There is an additional cost for Tutorials and Sessions. Please check OHASHI-Method.biz for the complete schedule and to reserve your place for Ohash’s Tutorials
and Sessions.

There is an additional cost for Tutorials and Sessions. Please visit OHASHI-Method.biz for the complete schedule and to reserve your place for Ohashi’s Tutorials and Sessions.

DBZ: Dai Bosatsu Day

May 17, 2026 by Siobhán Burke

Celebrating 50 Years at Dai Bosatsu Zendo – A gathering will be held at Dai Bosatsu Zendo on Saturday, July 4th, 2026, to mark 50 years of our continuous Zen practice.

This celebration offers an opportunity to come together as a wider Sangha to acknowledge the history of Dai Bosatsu Zendo, reflect on the practice that has unfolded here over five decades, and give thanks for the collective effort that has sustained the monastery over time.

10:00 a.m. Guest Arrival, Registration, and Refreshments
11:00 a.m. Ceremony Officiated by Chigan Roshi, Shinge Roshi and Hokuto Osho

There are still seats, and tickets will be made available at a later date, so please stay tuned and check back.

NYZ: Origami Folding for the 50th Anniversary

April 30, 2026 by Siobhán Burke

Gratitude practice and intention setting can be as simple as folding a piece of paper in half.

In honor of Dai Bosatsu Zendo’s 50th Anniversary, join in on the celebration of our sangha and the continued flourishing of the dharma through the simple offering of senbazuru – the folding of a thousand origami cranes.

These cranes – usually folded in group effort – are a common offering for longevity, health, and peace.

All are welcome (please note: anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a guardian for the duration of their stay at the event), just bring yourselves. This will remain a meditative practice, although quiet crosstalk is welcome.

Practice paper, instructions, the paper for the offering, folding tools, and the workspace will be provided. Just bring yourselves and some good vibes. Stay for the duration, stop by just to fold a few; no effort or contribution is too small.
Crane-folding for the 50th Anniversary senbazuru will happen weekly on Fridays, from 6:30 to 8pm, with the last session taking place on June 26th.

There is no fee for this event, although donations to the temple are welcome.

ZSS Health Protocols apply.