Zen Studies Society

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History

The Zen Studies Society was established in 1956 to assist the Buddhist scholar D.T. Suzuki in his efforts to introduce Zen to the West. Influenced by the teachings of Soen Nakagawa Roshi and Nyogen Senzaki, ZSS is one of the oldest organizations dedicated to the practice of Rinzai Zen in the United States.

New York Zendo Shobo-ji opened its doors on September 15, 1968. It was one of the first Rinzai Zen practice centers to be established in the West. An oasis of deep stillness in the heart of Manhattan, New York Zendo offers city dwellers the opportunity to experience traditional Zen practice in the midst of their daily lives, and provides ample opportunities for the Sangha to practice, work, and celebrate together. NYZ offers daily zazen and chanting services,  all-day sits,  and weekend sesshin providing teisho, dokusan, Dharma talks and practice interviews, and other related events. 2018 marked the 50th anniversary of NYZ;  to view the commemorative book  created for that event click here.

Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji, a Rinzai Zen Buddhist monastery, opened on July 4, 1976.  On the banks of the highest lake in the Catskills, on 1,400 acres of forest and meadows in middle of Catskill Mountains Preserve, Dai Bosatsu Zendo offers an inspiring setting for Zen practice. Traditional residential monastic training periods are offered to serious lay and ordained Zen students of all religious and cultural backgrounds from all over the world. At DBZ they are given the opportunity to actualize realization and understanding through deep, introspective inquiry. Training includes koan work, sesshin, dokusan and teisho, and is centered around the discipline of structured daily zazen and work, with the guidance of the Abbot and the support of the Sangha. Students and guests are also warmly welcomed at Introduction to Zen weekends and volunteer work weekends. In 2016 DBZ celebrated it’s 40th anniversary; to see a PDF of the book made for that celebration click here.

A Statement on Eido Shimano Roshi

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PRACTICE

What Is Zen?
Zen is the direct experience of what we might call ultimate reality, or the absolute, yet it is not separate from the ordinary, the relative. Read More

How To Practice:
Zen is a path that must be studied, practiced, and actualized. The core of Zen practice is Zazen. Read More

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The Engaged Buddhism group seeks to cultivate a more integrated, inclusive, and ethical way of being in the world. Read More

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Locations

Dai Bosatsu Zendo
223 Beecher Lake Road
Livingston Manor, NY 12758

New York Zendo
223 East 67th Street
New York, NY 10065


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Contact Us

Dai Bosatsu Zendo
office@daibosatsu.org
(845) 439-4566

New York Zendo
office@newyorkzendo.org
(212) 861-3333

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