NYZ: Day of Zen

For newcomers and experienced practitioners alike, the Day of Zen at New York Zendo Shobo-ji is an opportunity to discover or reacquaint yourself with the essentials of Rinzai Zen Buddhist practice. This one-day session will include an introduction to zazen (seated meditation with attention to breath and posture); choka (morning chanting service); and samu (work practice). Participants will also learn how to use jihatsu (nested meal bowls) in a formal silent lunch. The afternoon will conclude with a Dharma talk by a resident teacher, followed by informal tea and a Q&A period.

This is the tentative schedule of the day’s activities

9 a.m.            Doors open, check in
9:30 a.m.       Welcome, overview of the day,  chanting instruction
10 a.m.          Morning chanting service (choka); short break
11 a.m.          Instruction on zazen (sitting meditation) and kinhin (walking meditation)
Noon             Zazen, kinhin, zazen
1 p.m.           Jihatsu lunch with instruction
2 p.m.           Nittensoji (cleaning), including lunch clean-up; short break
2:50 p.m.      Shinrei (warning bell)
3 p.m.           Dharma talk
3:30 p.m.      Zazen
4 p.m.           Closing,  informal Q&A, tea and conversation
5 p.m.           Departure

The fee for the day is $40 for Supporting Members and $50 for nonmembers. Please consider becoming a Supporting Member of ZSS.  If you are a current sangha member and can volunteer to assist for the day the fee will be waived; please contact office@newyorkzendo.org.  ZSS Health Protocols apply.