New York Zendo is open for zazen five days a week. We are open for zazen in the morning, from 6:45 to 7:45, Tuesday through Friday, and for a chanting service and zazen on Saturday. Weekly evening programs run from 7:00 to 9:00 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 6:45-9 Thursday.
Wednesday and Friday evenings there are two regular sits. Thursday night is Intro to Zazen night, with an orientation and shorter sits for newcomers. A group offers tai chi classes on Tuesday night; beginners are welcome on an ongoing basis.
On Saturday mornings, the chanting service begins at 9:30, followed by one sit, temple cleaning and tea.
In addition to the weekly schedule, all-day sittings, Dharma talks by guest teachers and New York Zendo members, special events, and ceremonies are offered regularly throughout the year.
We welcome all newcomers. However, anyone who has never sat with us before, even those experienced in zazen or other forms of meditation, should first attend a Thursday evening Intro to Zazen. If scheduling conflicts do not permit attendance at the Thursday evening orientation, other arrangements can be made by calling the office.
For nonmembers, a suggested donation of $10 for evening programs is greatly appreciated.
We welcome you to become a member of New York Zendo/the Zen Studies Society. Membership is open to anyone who shows a sincere intention to participate in the sangha community. To find out more click here.
The weekly schedule is listed below. Please check the calendar for updates. For this month’s daily schedule click here for a daily calendar.
Please see below for the weekly schedule.
| Day | Doors Open | Program |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 6:30am | 6:45-7:45am, Zazen |
| 6:30pm | 7-9pm, Zazen & Tai Chi | |
| Wednesday | 6:30am | 6:45-7:45am, Zazen |
| 6:30pm | 7-9pm, Zazen | |
| Thursday | 6:30am | 6:45-7:45am, Zazen |
| 6:15pm | 6:45-9pm, Intro for beginners, tea and discussion | |
| Friday | 6:30am | 6:45-7:45am, Zazen |
| 6:30pm | 7-9pm, Zazen | |
| Saturday | 9:00am | 9:30-11:45am, Full Morning Service (Choka), temple cleaning and tea |
Mandala day
During World War II, separated by geographical and political gulfs, two of our esteemed Dharma ancestors, Soen Nakagawa Roshi and Ven. Nyogen Senzaki, exchanged Dharma greetings each month. These great teachers shared in chanting, zazen, and prostrations across the Pacific Ocean.
We continue this Mandala Day tradition each month. This special chanting ceremony commemorates and pays homage to the predecessors in our lineage and all related teachers, sanghas, known and unknown, who helped to further the Buddha-Dharma.
Mandala Day is celebrated at New York Zendo’s Saturday morning service closest to the 21st of each month. Please bring tabi or white socks to the zendo. After the ceremony there will be one period of zazen, temple cleaning and tea.
