Zen Studies Society

NYZ: Morning Zazen
2026-01-15 06:45 - 07:45, 2026-01-21 06:45 - 07:45, 2026-01-22 06:45 - 07:45, 2026-01-26 06:45 - 07:45, 2026-01-27 06:45 - 07:45, 2026-01-28 06:45 - 07:45, 2026-01-29 06:45 - 07:45, 2026-02-02 06:45 - 07:45 (America/New_York) and 1 more date | 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.

NYZ: Introduction to Zen Meditation
2026-01-15 18:45 - 21:00, 2026-01-22 18:45 - 21:00, 2026-01-29 18:45 - 21:00
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 here. If you have questions, please email office@newyorkzendo.org or call 212-861-3333 before registering. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

You are also welcome to join our online Introduction to Zen Meditation.

NYZ: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend Sesshin
2026-01-16 19:00 - 2026-01-18 18:00
Hokuto Osho will lead this weekend sesshin honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King taught that true justice could only be achieved through love, and that compassion for others was essential for building a more equitable society.
This weekend sesshin will include zazen, choka (morning service), and formal jihatsu meals. Hokuto Osho will offer dokusan (one-on-one interviews) and teisho (Dharma talks). Full-time participation is encouraged; part-time attendance will be considered as space allows. For more detail and to see a typical sesshin schedule, please visit the NYZ Weekend Sesshin page.
The fee for this sesshin is $175 for nonmembers and $150 for Zen Studies Society (ZSS) members. Note that the member price is for ZSS members only – please consider becoming a Supporting Member. If this will be your first sesshin, or you have any questions, please email office@newyorkzendo.org before registering. No one will be turned away for lack of funds, please contact office@newyorkzendo.org for support. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

NYZ: Temple Closed
2026-01-19
New York Zendo Shobo-ji is closed today. Please check the calendar for schedule modifications.

NYZ: Zazen and Tai Chi
2026-01-20 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-27 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-03 19:00 - 21:00
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.

NYZ: Evening Zazen
2026-01-21 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-26 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-28 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-02 19:00 - 21:00
On Monday and 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: Winter Sutra Collective
2026-01-23 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-01-30 18:30 - 20:30
Feeling anxious for no reason, or worn out by the usual happy hour scene? Try something different.
Sutra copying is a traditional Buddhist practice that generates merit for yourself and for all beings. You don’t need to be a Buddhist or a skilled calligrapher to take part.
Moving slowly, stroke by stroke through the Buddha’s words, this practice quiets the mind and anchors you in the present moment.
Join us at New York Zendo Shobo-ji, in the peaceful presence of the Great Buddha statue, and connect with like-hearted practitioners. If you would like to share your favorite dessert or beverages with other practitioners, feel free to bring them.
The schedule for this Sutra Collective series will be as follows:

Friday, December 12th, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Friday, December 19th, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Friday, January 9th, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Friday, January 23rd, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Friday, January 30th, 6:30pm – 8:30pm

There is no fee for this class, all are welcome! ZSS Health Protocols apply.

NYZ: Triratna In-Person Practice Day
2026-01-24 10:00 - 13:00
Triratna | The Golden Buddha and the Wish-Fulfilling Jewel
We’d like to invite you to an in-person practice day, where we come together in community for meditation, a dharma teaching, and fellowship.
In our Sangha, 2026 will be dedicated to the Buddha Ratnasambhava. He is a golden Buddha who holds the wish-fulfilling jewel. On this practice day, we will explore this symbolism and look at what “real” riches mean to us, what really brings us fulfillment, and how we can bring more of this into our lives.
Join us for a morning of meditation, reflection, discussion and ritual, where we’ll explore these themes in community and friendship.
Join us at NYZ for a morning of meditation, discussion, ritual, and connecting with community, followed by lunch at 1:15 p.m. @Le Botaniste UES, which serves 100% organic, plant-based food. You can find it at 833 Lexington Avenue (between 63rd & 64th St).
Agenda:

Gathering and check-in
Meditation
Programming
Meditation
Check-out
Light Lunch: Participants bring your own to enjoy and/or share OR participate in a lunch outing

This day of practice will be led by Ananta & Suryapala. Ananta has practiced within the Triratna Buddhist Community for 30 years. He has spent over three years on retreat. He was Ordained in 2007, is the Chair of the Triratna New York-New Jersey, and is a leading teacher of the Triratna US & Canada Men’s ordination training team. He has worked and led international nonprofits, including with the United Nations, tackling poverty and discrimination. He is a certified Mindfulness teacher with Brown University.
Suryapala is an Ordained Dharmachari in the Triratna Buddhist Community since 2024 and has been practicing meditation regularly for eight years. He began his Buddhist journey in the United Kingdom and for the last several years has been an active member of the New York/New Jersey Sangha.
All are welcome. Suggested donation of $25- 40, please register using the Triratna link here.

NYZ: Seiza Quiet-sitting & Dharma Talk on Shin Buddhism
2026-01-24 14:00 - 16:00
Join us for seiza meditation at New York Zendo Shobo-ji, led by Miki Nakura. Seiza (quiet sitting) was established in Japan more than 110 years ago by Okada Torajiro Sensei. The sitting form is the traditional Japanese kneeling position, but seiza can also be practiced sitting in a chair.
In seiza, we learn how to find the most physically balanced posture, in accordance with gravity, following correct breathing and allowing the full flow of energy into the lower belly (also known as the hara or tan t’ien region). Through this practice we can naturally experience total serenity of the body-mind. D.T. Suzuki encouraged American Zen students, including Ruth Fuller Sasaki, to practice seiza before and during their zazen training.
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.
About the instructor: Miki Nakura, a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist minister based in New York, started practicing seiza 30 years ago under the guidance of his teachers in Japan. He has been devoting himself to sharing seiza with students since 2004.
Everyone is welcome! Note that this event is offered in-person only. Registration is not required. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

NYZ: Sunday Morning Service and Zazen
2026-01-25 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-02-01 10:00 - 13:00
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: Open AA 11th Step Meeting
2026-01-31 11:00 - 12:45
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.

NYZ: Welcome the New Year with Noh
2026-01-31 14:00 - 15:00
Noh is a traditional Japanese art form that combines music, dance, and drama, and was established in the 14th century. Today, Noh is commonly understood as a performing art, however in medieval Japan it was also practiced as a form of physical training and mindfulness. Through the teachings found in Noh plays, practitioners cultivated presence, awareness of the moment, and the ability to live well and endure challenges.
This workshop is designed for those who are new to Noh and offers an experiential introduction to Noh chanting (utai). Participants will learn to chant using deep breathing and internal core muscles. The workshop features Takasago, one of the most beloved Noh chants, which tells the story of pine trees symbolizing harmony, peace, and eternity. Through this practice, you will learn to ground your body, breathe deeply from your center, awaken your senses, and explore the unique vocal power of Utai.
Participants will also learn how to center the body through fundamental elements of Noh movement, including the formal stance (kamae), sliding steps (suriashi), and stylized dance movements (kata).
The workshop will be held at New York Zendo – an ideal setting to reconnect with yourself, clear your mind, and awaken your awareness through the power of voice. Expect a meditative yet energizing experience that engages your whole body.
About the instructor: Mayo Miwa (三輪万葉) majored in Noh theater at Tokyo University of the Arts and trained at the Kanze School in Japan. As Vice President of the Noh Society, she actively facilitates educational programs with Japanese actors and teaches at various US institutions. She is dedicated to sharing Noh’s timeless art, exploring how it can inspire the mind and body, and how it may continue to evolve in today’s world.
Instruction will be offered in both Japanese and English, and no prior experience is necessary. The fee for this workshop is $30 for nonmembers and $25 for Zen Studies Society (ZSS) members. Note that the member price is for ZSS members only – please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Please register and make payments via Paypal to gekyouman@gmail.com, for futher information please email info@miwamayo.com. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

NYZ: Suizen Intensive
2026-02-01 14:00 - 19:00
Suizen, or “blowing Zen”, refers to the spiritual practice of playing the shakuhachi flute during zazen. The honkyoku repertoire of the shakuhachi – which was developed specifically for Zen practice – has particular technical and aesthetic features that allow it to resist being heard as “music.” Therefore, it tends not to distract the meditating mind in the way that other music might. Compared to other shakuhachi repertoires, honkyoku pieces feature fewer notes with a focus on ornamentation and timbral effects.
There is a famous saying from the world of suizen: ichion jobutsu, meaning “enlightenment in a single note.” Come join us for an afternoon of immersion in this one mysterious note.
Our program will include six forty-minute periods of suizen, with kinhin (walking meditation) in between. Participants must have completed an Introduction to Zen Meditation class before registering.
Solo shakuhachi will be played by Karaku Marco Burmester, who has been studying shakuhachi in New York City and Kyoto since 2006. Karaku has a long-time connection to Dai Bosatsu Zendo as a student of Ronnie Nyogetsu Reishin Seldin, who held workshops at DBZ for many years. He has recently been awarded his shakuhachi teaching certificate and is looking forward to sharing his practice of suizen with the Zen Studies Society Sangha.
The fee for this event is $40 for nonmembers and $30 for Zen Studies Society (ZSS) members. Note that the member price is for ZSS members only – please consider becoming a Supporting Member. If you have any questions, please email office@newyorkzendo.org before registering. ZSS Health Protocols apply.
