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; monthly all-day sits and weekend sesshin providing teisho, dokusan, Dharma talks and practice interviews and other related events. This year marked the 50th anniversary of NYZ and a commemorative book was created; click here to view a PDF.
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 Abbot Shinge Sherry Chayat and the support of the Sangha. Students and guests are also warmly welcomed at Introduction to Zen weekends, family weekend, 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.