Zen Studies Society

NYZ: Shakuhachi Workshop

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Shakuhachi is a traditional Japanese bamboo flute that is used in Zen Buddhism for Suizen, or “blowing Zen”, the spiritual practice of playing the 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.”

In this workshop, participants learn about the instrument, its tradition in Zen Buddhism and the honkyoku repertoire. Everyone can try playing the shakuhachi flute (PVC flutes are provided).

The workshop will be led by Marco Karaku Burmester who has been studying shakuhachi in New York City and Kyoto since 2006. Marco has been playing during standard-length zazen sessions and 5-hour Suizen intensives at New York Zendo Shobo-Ji. As a student of Ronnie Nyogetsu Reishin Seldin, Marco has a longtime connection with Dai Bosatsu Zendo, New York Zendo Shobo-Ji and Zen Center of Syracuse Hoen-ji. His current teacher James Nyoraku Schlefer recently granted him a teaching license and the shakuhachi name Karaku 嘉楽 which means, “one who brings joy and peace through music”.

In the early evening, there will be a Shakuhachi Concert at 6pm (tickets sold separately). Please join us for one or both events.

The fee for this event is $30 for nonmembers and $25 for Zen Studies Society (ZSS) members, please register by purchasing a ticket below. Note that the member price is for ZSS members only – please consider becoming a Supporting Member. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

NYZ: Zazen, Jodo-E Chanting Ceremony, & Informal Breakfast

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On the morning of December 8th, we will celebrate the end of Rohatsu week with chanting of the Jodo-E ceremony which commemorates Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment.

If you are not able to attend in person, we will be also offering this event online:

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 824 2548 5117
Passcode: DailyZazen

Details are flexible, depending on how many participants attend. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

NYZ: Rohatsu Week Zazen

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Rohatsu, a Japanese word meaning “the eighth day of the last month of the year,” is held each year in Zen monasteries around the world to commemorate the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha. During this eight-day period, we manifest the Buddha’s determination as he sat beneath the Bodhi tree, vowing not to rise until he achieved true awakening. Every student contributes to and takes strength from the powerful energy and determination of all.

At New York Zendo, we will sit from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. each night from December 1st through December 7th. Yaza, voluntary sitting after the formal close of the evening, is encouraged. We will sit all night on December 7th, and Rohatsu will end with the chanting of the Jodo-E ceremony on the morning of the 8th.

If you are not able to attend in person, we will be also offering this event online:

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 824 2548 5117
Passcode: DailyZazen

Donations welcome, please consider becoming a Supporting Member of Zen Studies Society (ZSS). ZSS Health Protocols apply.

NYZ: Ordinary Mind Sesshin

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Join us for a half-day or full-day sesshin taught by Barry Magid, head teacher of Ordinary Mind Zendo. Ordinary Mind is dedicated to Charlotte Joko Beck’s vision of a psychologically-minded Zen practice adapted to the needs of American students practicing in the context of our everyday lives. Our zendo is committed to the proposition that the Dharma can be fully practiced, realized and transmitted in the midst of lay life.

The day includes a Dharma talk, an opportunity for dokusan (one-on-one interview with the teacher), oryoki lunch, liturgy, and lots of zazen. Please find the daily schedule below. This sesshin is also available via Zoom.

The fee for this sesshin $50 – $100. Please register by completing this form (payment accepted via Paypal). Registration closes November 6th. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

Schedule

Morning
9:00 – 9:30    Zazen
9:40 – 9:55    Morning Service
10:00 – 10:25  Zazen
10:30 – 10:55  Dharma Talk
11:00 – 11:25  Zazen
11:30 – 11:55  Zazen
12:00 – 12:25  Zazen

Midday (In-person full-day attendees only)
12:30 – 1:00   Oryoki
1:00 – 1:10    Break
1:10 – 1:40    Work Practice
1:40 – 2:05    Break

Afternoon
2:10 – 2:35    Zazen
2:40 – 3:30    Unstructured Sitting
3:35 – 3:55    Afternoon Service
4:00 – 4:25    Zazen
4:30 – 4:55    Zazen
4:55 – 5:00    Vows & Bows

DBZ: Holy Days Sesshin

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As early spring warms Beecher Lake and new shoots emerge on the forest floor, we launch into a season of renewal. Join Chigan Roshi for Holy Days Sesshin, a seven-day retreat when we honor the birth of the Buddha alongside the sacred observances of other religions during this time period.

We will also commemorate Rinzai Gigen Zenji, who founded the Rinzai Zen school and our lineage in the ninth century. Master Rinzai introduced the practice of koans, which challenge students to break through ordinary thinking and attain direct insight into their true nature. For more detail and to see a typical sesshin schedule, please visit the Dai Bosatsu Zendo Sesshin page.

The fee for this sesshin is $550 for nonmembers and $475 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@daibosatsu.org before registering.  ZSS Health Protocols apply.

If you are able to support students in financial difficulty, please consider making an additional donation. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, you may apply for a reduced rate here.

DBZ: Jukai Ceremony

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Please join us for the 2025 Jukai (Ten Precepts) ceremony at Dai Bosatsu Zendo. Led by Chigan Roshi, this ceremony will witness and honor the commitments of this year’s Jukai students, who will vow to uphold the Zen precepts for lay students. These students will formally become Buddhists and will receive a Dharma name and a rakusu (traditional Japanese garment worn by those who take the precepts).

The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m., just after the closing of Harvest sesshin. There will be a celebratory informal lunch after the ceremony.

The fee is $25 for the ceremony and lunch. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

Locations

Dai Bosatsu Zendo
223 Beecher Lake Road
Livingston Manor, NY 12758

New York Zendo
223 East 67th Street
New York, NY 10065


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Contact Us

Dai Bosatsu Zendo
office@daibosatsu.org
(845) 439-4566

New York Zendo
office@newyorkzendo.org
(212) 861-3333