Zen Studies Society

NYZ: Sunday Morning Service and Zazen
2025-07-27 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-08-03 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | 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: Seiza Quiet-sitting & Dharma Talk on Shin Buddhism
2025-07-27 14:00 - 16:00 | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
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: Morning Zazen
2025-07-28 06:45 - 07:45, 2025-07-29 06:45 - 07:45, 2025-07-30 06:45 - 07:45, 2025-07-31 06:45 - 07:45, 2025-08-04 06:45 - 07:45, 2025-08-05 06:45 - 07:45, 2025-08-06 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
2025-07-28 06:45 - 07:45, 2025-07-29 06:45 - 07:45, 2025-07-30 06:45 - 07:45, 2025-07-31 06:45 - 07:45, 2025-08-04 06:45 - 07:45, 2025-08-05 06:45 - 07:45, 2025-08-06 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: [REDACTED]
Registration is not required.

NYZ: Zazen and Tai Chi
2025-07-29 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-08-05 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.

Online: Introduction to Zen Meditation
2025-07-30 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-30 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-08-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Join us on Zoom every Wednesday evening for Introduction to Zen Meditation. We begin with instruction on meditation posture and technique, followed by a brief period of guided meditation and an opportunity for questions.
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. Anyone who attends this introduction is then welcome to join us at New York Zendo for other practice events.
Please register by sending an email to lauren@laurenann.net by the Friday before the class you would like to attend.
You are also welcome to join our in-person Introduction to Zen Meditation at New York Zendo on Thursday evenings. ZSS Health Protocols apply for this in-person event.

NYZ: Evening Zazen
2025-07-30 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-08-06 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: Introduction to Zen Meditation
2025-07-31 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 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: Summer Sutra Collective
2025-08-01 19:00 - 20:30 | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
Fridays | July 18th – September 5th, 2025 | 7:00 – 8:30 pm
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, July 18th and 25th
Friday, August 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th
Friday, September 5th

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

DBZ: O-Bon Samu Sesshin (Waiting List Only)
2025-08-03 - 2025-08-10 | Dai Bosatsu Zendo, 223 Beecher Lake Road, Livingston Manor, NY, 12758
Registration is now closed. Please email office@daibosatsu.org to be placed on the waiting list. Sign up for the ZSS Events Newsletter to receive information on upcoming events.

The days leading up to O-Bon offer a unique opportunity to participate in traditional Rinzai monastic practice, working with the monastery residents to prepare the O-Bon festival in a modified sesshin schedule that includes short morning service, zazen (meditation), daily samu (work practice), daily Dai Segaki chanting, dokusan (one-on-one interviews with a teacher), and teisho (Dharma talks).
Early August at Dai Bosatsu mountain is a wild and beautiful dream-like setting where the boundaries between the tangible world and the endless realms seem to dissolve.
O-Bon Samu Sesshin ends Friday afternoon before the official start of O-Bon Weekend and the Opening Fire that evening.
There is no fee for the O-Bon Samu Sesshin, but please consider purchasing a tiered-price ticket or making a donation to help cover the cost of your stay. If you have any questions, please email office@daibosatsu.org. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

Online: Sunday Morning Service and Zazen
2025-08-03 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: [REDACTED]
Registration is not required.

NYZ: Memorial Service for Aiho Yasuko Shimano
2025-08-03 14:00 - 17:00 | New York Zendo, 223 E 67th St, New York, NY, 10065
Aiho Yasuko Shimano
March 5, 1935 – July 7, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Aiho Yasuko Shimano, former Director of New York Zendo Shobo-ji for two decades and spouse of founding Abbot, Eido Shimano Roshi. Her dedication and whole-hearted devotion to the Dharma and the Zen Studies Society never wavered. Her encouragement and energy spurred us on to create and maintain the strong practice we have now, and we are ever grateful for her wisdom and presence.
Please join us at New York Zendo Shobo-ji to remember Aiho-san on Sunday, August 3, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Following the memorial service in the zendo, there will be an informal reception in the Dharma Hall with light refreshments. Flowers, food, or monetary contributions are welcome. Every offering is deeply appreciated.
No registration necessary, all are welcome. ZSS Health Protocols apply. Aiho-san’s final resting place will be in Sangha Meadow at Dai Bosatsu Zendo. Details for the funeral service and interment will be announced when a date has been confirmed.

Online: Engaged Buddhism Dharma Discussion
2025-08-06 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
First Wednesday of each Month | 7:00 – 8:30 pm EST
Facilitated by Jifu Devyani Sadh
In this space, we work strategically to cut through a wide range of systemic issues arising from collective greed, aversion, and delusion. We will begin with 30 minutes of zazen followed by an Engaged Buddhism Dharma Discussion grounded in shared wisdom.
These free zoom sessions are open to those interested in exploring ways to “engage” in socially meaningful action in any of the six areas of Engaged Buddhism at ZSS.
Learn more about Engaged Buddhism at the Zen Studies Society.
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