Zen Studies Society

NYZ: Insight OUT Refuge: LGBTQI Sangha
2023-12-18 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
Sponsored by New York Insight.
Come join us for meditation and discussion to meet and socialize with other LGBTQI practitioners at NYI.
Our community is open to students of all Buddhist traditions, as well as those who are in the beginning stages of exploring their meditation practice and have an interest in the Dharma. All those who identify as LGBTQI are welcome.
We gather to form a multicultural community in which we can support each other in our practice with a commitment toward social change.
To join the Online gathering on the 2nd Monday of each month, please scroll down for the Zoom link.
Space is limited for our In-Person Gatherings each month, and RSVP is required. Please click here to RSVP.
All proceeds will support this sangha’s teacher(s) and other NYI teacher support. Please contact registration@nyimc.org if you need assistance.
Fee by donation: Suggested starting donation is $15 but whatever you offer is greatly appreciated and no one is ever turned away for lack of funds.

NYZ: The Shape of Awake: Meditation and the Alexander Technique with Hope Martin
2024-01-06 10:00 - 17:00 | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
To take this posture itself is the purpose of our practice. When you have this posture, you have the right state of mind, so there is no need to try to attain some special state. —Suzuki Roshi
Are you uncomfortable or in pain when you meditate? Is it challenging to sit for long periods of time? Or is it just hard to stay present? Discover how being fully present and at ease in your body transforms your practice and your life!
Being upright is not just an arbitrary shape; it’s a perfect expression of meditation itself. In this day-long workshop, Hope, a master teacher of the Alexander Technique, will help you discover ease and non-striving in meditation and other activities. Her hands-on work makes subtle adjustments to the head, neck and back to access effortless, balanced posture — both light and grounded.
The process teaches awareness of habits that result in pain, fixed posture and mind-set, and shows us how to shift to a more open, balanced way of being that is our birthright. It’s not about improving or getting away from anything. Rather, by learning about and honoring the many moments of response that are our habits, we become actively engaged in the process of befriending ourselves.
The workshop includes instruction on basic body mechanics and alignment, experiential exercises and hands-on from the instructor to help improve your posture and release unnecessary tension in your meditation practice and in your life. There will be a break midday for lunch (not provided). New and experienced meditators are welcome.
Hope Martin has taught the Alexander Technique for over 35 years and operates Hope Martin Studio in New York City. She is a Senior Teacher who trained Alexander teachers for 25 years at the American Center for the Alexander Technique. She is also a Meditation Instructor and a Focusing trainer. Hope had a 20-year teaching partnership with David Rome where they developed and taught Embodied Listening bringing together Meditation, the Alexander Technique and Focusing.
She has been a close student of Pema Chodron for 30 years. Hope specializes in working with meditators, bringing more ease to their practice. She has taught in meditation halls and zendos throughout the U.S. and Canada. Her particular passion is in helping her students discover how easeful, upright posture is an expression of their human dignity, confidence and innate wakefulness.
No one will be turned away for lack of funds; please email the NYZ office at office@newyorkzendo.org for assistance. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

NYZ: Tea with the Abbot
2024-01-15 10:00 - 12:00 | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
Chigan Roshi and Shuko-san invite members of the New York Zendo sangha to join them for informal tea and light snacks in the Dharma hall on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Please join the Zen Studies Society’s third abbot for a lighthearted reception and casual conversation at the beginning of 2024. All are welcome; no registration is necessary. Donations welcome.

NYZ: Zazenkai with Matsubara Osho
2024-01-28 17:00 - 18:30 | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
Imagine sitting quietly in meditation. Pause, reset, and recharge yourself. You are in complete control of your emotions and the stress from your busy lifestyle. You are experiencing a state of quiet, relaxing, body-mind equilibrium. This is a time to calmly face yourself.
Zazenkai is a monthly meeting that offers a talk, Zen meditation, tea (hoji-cha) and sweets, and a Q&A. 30 seats are available. The fee is $30 per person. No experience is required. The instructor is Rev. Dr. Masaki Matsubara, Rinzai Zen priest and Visiting Lecturer of Contemplative Studies, Brown University. Please email mmatsubara@outlook.com to register. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

NYZ: Found in the Flowers - An Ikebana Workshop
2024-05-19 14:00 - 15:30 | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
Commune with flowers and learn about the Japanese art of ikebana in this workshop. We will begin with a brief history overview of the art form, observe an ikebana demonstration illustrating basic principles and techniques, and then spend the majority of the time creating our own arrangements.
All supplies (scissors, vases, and flowers) are provided, and you will take your arrangements home with you.
This class is a perfect opportunity for anyone to start practicing the meditative art of ikebana and for Zen practitioners to learn a skill for altar care.
Fees for this workshop are $50 for members and $60 for non-members. Consider becoming a Supporting Member. Sangha members who volunteer to maintain Shobo-ji’s altar arrangements will receive a discount on the course fee. Contact office@newyorkzendo.org to inquire. ZSS Health Protocols apply.
About the Instructor:
Studying Sogetsu ikebana since 2015 with Mrs. Fumiko Allinder (a long-established teacher who learned directly from the founder of Sogetsu school Sofu Teshigahara) and with Christine Donck Guelton since 2023, Kristina finds solace in ikebana and loves sharing her appreciation of this timeless art.

NYZ: Day of Zen
2024-06-02 09:00 - 17:00 | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
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.

NYZ: Tao Te Ching Summer Calligraphy Workshop
2024-06-07 18:30 - 20:30, 2024-06-14 18:30 - 20:30, 2024-06-21 18:30 - 20:30, 2024-06-28 18:30 - 20:30, 2024-07-12 18:30 - 20:30, 2024-07-19 18:30 - 20:30, 2024-07-26 18:30 - 20:30, 2024-08-02 18:30 - 20:30 | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
June 7 – Aug 2, 2024 (No class on 7/5)
Join Ines Sun for an eight-week calligraphy course based on Lao-Tzu’s Tao Te Ching. The evening will begin with tea in silence. After tea, each week we will focus on calligraphy characters related to a single chapter of the Tao Te Ching. As we read and write the text together, we will gain a deeper insight into the meaning by connecting with some of the original characters. This course is designed as a series, but each individual class may be taken separately.
The Tao Te Ching summer calligraphy workshop will use the Thomas Cleary translation with commentary from a 17th century Rinzai Zen Master, Takuan Soho and The Wisdom of Laotse by Li YuTang, a renowned 20th Century writer with an intellectual and spiritual approach.
You may wish to obtain your own copy, though there will be one available to read together at the workshop. All calligraphy supplies will be provided. Prior experience is helpful, but not required. ZSS Health Protocols apply.
About Ines Sun
Ines Sun learned calligraphy as a child and found a deep connection with the art as an adult. Her aim is to help others find joy and profound peace in this ancient art. Calligraphy has also served as a means for her to unite her spiritual practice with the physical form of the brush. In addition to offering basic and advanced instruction, she offers calligraphy workshops in sutra writing.
Cost:
$40 single class
$300 8-week series
Date and Time:
Fridays 6:30-8:30pm
6/7/24 – 8/2/24
No class will be offered on 7/5
Please register at www.inessun.com.

NYZ: Day of Zen
2024-07-21 09:00 - 17:00 | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
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.
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 would like to volunteer for the day in exchange for admission; please contact office@newyorkzendo.org. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

Typical schedule (subject to change):

9:00
Doors open, check in

9:30
Welcome, orientation, chanting instruction

10:00
Choka (morning chanting service), short break

11:00
Instruction on zazen (seated meditation) and kinhin (walking meditation)

Noon
Zazen, kinhin, zazen

1:00
Jihastu lunch with instruction

2:00
Nittensoji (cleaning), short break

2:50
Shinrei (warning bell)

3:00
Dharma talk

3:30
Zazen

4:00
Closing, tea, informal Q&A

5:00
Departure

NYZ: Films - Carving the Divine (POSTPONED)
2024-07-27 | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
Thank you for your interest, this event has been postponed. Our apologies for the inconvenience.
Please check back in the fall, the calendar will be updated when a new date is available.
Gassho

Online: Poisonous Virtues and Virtuous Poisons
2024-09-29 16:00 - 17:30 | Online
Poisonous Virtues and Virtuous Poisons: Life-Death and Being-Time
Sunday September 29 – Sunday December 22, 2024
“There are two tragedies in life,” George Bernard Shaw once said, “One is not to get your heart’s desire. The other is to get it.” Of course, Shakyamuni Buddha said much the same thing twenty-five centuries earlier, when he identified the root cause of dukkha—our dissatisfaction and alienation—as tanha, the craving that gives rise to all the myriad shades of anxiety, fear, greed, anger and ignorance. Perhaps you have felt this way at times during this election season?
Zen study and practice offer the means for cutting through attachment and awakening to the true nature of reality. In this course, we will explore these central themes, attachment and awakening, using the Tibetan mind-training practice of Lojong, selected writings of Dogen Eihei Zenji, and selected koans from the Mumonkan and Hekiganroku. Each class will include brief meditation periods, dharma talks by Hokuto Osho, and class discussion, with recommendations to guide individual practice between classes.
This online course will be held over eight Sundays at 4 pm, beginning on Sunday, September 29. Each class will last approximately 90 minutes. Class will not be held during Zen Studies sesshin on 10/6, 10/27, 11/3, 12/1, and 12/8. The last class will take place on December 22. The deadline for registration is September 28.
The fee is for the course is $150 for Zen Studies Society Supporting Members, $175 for non-members, and $50 for those who are ordained. Please consider becoming a Supporting Member of ZSS. No one will be turned away for lack of funds; please contact info@zenstudies.org for support. A suggested reading list will be provided upon registration.

NYZ: Election Night Vigil
2024-11-05 21:00 - 2024-11-06 06:00 | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
Join us on Election Night for an all-night vigil of unstructured zazen and share your metta (loving-kindness) with a troubled world.
Zuiza (unstructured zazen) will begin at approximately 9 p.m., following the close of our usual Tuesday evening Tai Chi class. Sit as long as you like. Those who wish to take a break for a bit of sleep may help themselves to a futon in the Dharma Hall.
No registration necessary. Donations welcome.

NYZ: Evening Zazen
2025-01-01 19:00 - 21:00 | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
On Wednesday evenings, New York Zendo is open for zazen from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
A quiet atmosphere with minimal distractions is essential to our practice. Please do not wear scented cosmetics, and set any electronic device to silent mode. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Refer to Zendo Etiquette for more details.
Newcomers to the temple are kindly requested to attend one Introduction to Zen Meditation class, held on Thursday evenings, before joining the community for other practice events.
A $10 donation (payable online) is requested from non-members. Please consider becoming a Supporting Member of the Zen Studies Society. Registration is not required. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

NYZ: Morning Zazen
2025-01-02 06:45 - 07:45, 2025-01-06 06:45 - 07:45, 2025-01-07 06:45 - 07:45 | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
New York Zendo is open for morning zazen Monday through Thursday from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. Doors open at 6:30 a.m.
A quiet atmosphere with minimal distractions is essential to our practice. Please do not wear scented cosmetics, and set any electronic device to silent mode. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Refer to Zendo Etiquette for more details.
Newcomers to the temple are kindly requested to attend one Introduction to Zen Meditation class, held on Thursday evenings, before joining the community for other practice events.
A $10 donation (payable online) is requested from non-members. Please consider becoming a Supporting Member of the Zen Studies Society. Registration is not required. ZSS Health Protocols apply.
This event is also offered online.

Online: Morning Zazen
2025-01-02 06:45 - 07:45, 2025-01-06 06:45 - 07:45, 2025-01-07 06:45 - 07:45 | Online
Join us online for zazen Monday through Thursday from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. The Zoom meeting room will open at approximately 6:30 a.m. Short morning service begins at 6:45 a.m. Zazen begins at 7 a.m. and continues until 7:40 a.m.

We will use our sutra book. A quiet atmosphere with minimal distractions is essential to our practice. Please set any electronic device to silent mode and wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Feel free to come and go at whatever time your schedule allows.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 824 2548 5117
Passcode: DailyZazen
Registration is not required.

NYZ: Introduction to Zen Meditation
2025-01-02 18:45 - 21:00 | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
If you are new to Rinzai Zen Buddhism, New York Zendo Shobo-ji offers city dwellers the opportunity to experience traditional Zen practice and find an oasis of deep stillness in the heart of Manhattan.
Every Thursday evening, the Introduction to Zen Meditation class covers the basics of zazen (seated meditation): posture, breathing, and concentration. Beginners will also learn the form used at New York Zendo Shobo-ji including bowing, chanting, and kinhin (walking meditation). Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and instruction begins promptly at 6:45 p.m.
A quiet atmosphere with minimal distractions is essential to our practice. Please do not wear scented cosmetics, and set any electronic device to silent mode. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Refer to Zendo Etiquette for more details. No prior experience is necessary. This class is a pre-requisite for attending zazen at New York Zendo.
The fee for this class is $10, please register by purchasing a ticket below. ZSS Health Protocols apply. If you have questions, please email office@newyorkzendo.org or call 212-861-3333 before registering.
You are also welcome to join our online Introduction to Zen Meditation.

NYZ: Open AA 11th Step Meeting
2025-01-04 11:00 - 12:45 | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
We welcome you to “Acceptance,” an open AA 11th Step meditation meeting at New York Zendo.
Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Meditation begins promptly at 11 a.m. and lasts 30 minutes. If this is your first time attending this meeting, please arrive early to receive a short orientation. Both cushions and chairs are provided.
Please arrive on time, there will be no entry during the meditation period to avoid disruptions. Doors re-open at 11:30 a.m., and an open AA meeting begins at 11:45 a.m. on the second floor.
Registration is not required. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

Online: Sunday Morning Service and Zazen
2025-01-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
Join us online for Sunday Morning Service and zazen. Choka (morning service) will begin at 10 a.m., followed by kinhin (walking meditation), and zazen. A Dharma Talk will be given on the first Sunday of each month.
A quiet atmosphere with minimal distractions is essential to our practice. Please set any electronic device to silent mode and wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
The Zoom meeting room will open at approximately 9:30am.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 824 2548 5117
Passcode: DailyZazen
Registration is not required.

NYZ: Sunday Morning Service and Zazen
2025-01-05 10:00 - 13:00 | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
On Sundays, we hold choka (morning service) at 10 a.m., followed by kinhin (walking meditation) and zazen. A Dharma Talk will be given on the first Sunday of each month. After zazen, there will be 30 minutes of nittensoji (temple cleaning), followed by tea and informal discussion. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
A quiet atmosphere with minimal distractions is essential to our practice. Please do not wear scented cosmetics, and set any electronic device to silent mode. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Refer to Zendo Etiquette for more details.
Newcomers to the temple are kindly requested to attend one Introduction to Zen Meditation class, held on Thursday evenings, before joining the community for other practice events.
A $10 donation (payable online) is requested from non-members. Please consider becoming a Supporting Member of the Zen Studies Society. Registration is not required. ZSS Health Protocols apply.
This event is also offered online.

NYZ: Zazen and Tai Chi
2025-01-07 19:00 - 21:00 | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
On Tuesday evenings, New York Zendo is open for zazen and tai chi from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 pm. This program includes 40 minutes of zazen followed by a tai chi class on the second floor.
A quiet atmosphere with minimal distractions is essential to our practice. Please do not wear scented cosmetics, and set any electronic device to silent mode. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Refer to Zendo Etiquette for more details.
Newcomers to the temple are kindly requested to attend one Introduction to Zen Meditation class, held on Thursday evenings, before joining the community for other practice events.
A $10 donation (payable online) is requested from non-members. Please consider becoming a Supporting Member of the Zen Studies Society. Registration is not required. ZSS Health Protocols apply.
