Zen Studies Society

NYZ: The Pali Canon – TL;DR

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A 5-week survey course from November 11th to December 16th, 2025

The Pali Canon is the oldest and most foundational collection of Buddhist scriptures, and our closest record of the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. Yet it is vast, spanning dozens of volumes and thousands of pages, depending on the translation. Some texts remain untranslated into English even today.

In many American Zen sanghas, the Pali Canon is not often emphasized, as the focus tends to be on the teachings of later Zen ancestors. As a result, many Zen students in the West are relatively unfamiliar with its content and structure.

This five-week survey course offers a basic introduction to the Pali Canon and an overview of several of its central teachings. You may find that its style, tone, and approach offer a rich and complementary perspective to your existing Zen practice.

The fee for this online course is $50 for nonmembers and $40 for Zen Studies Society (ZSS) members, register by purchasing a series pass below. Note that the member price is for ZSS members only – please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Classes will be held on Zoom and facilitated by Giun Sensei. A meeting link will be shared in advance, and recordings will be made available to all participants after each session.  

The schedule will be as follows:

  • Tuesday, November 11th, 8 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
  • Tuesday, November 18th, 8 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
  • Tuesday, November 25th, 8 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 2nd, NO CLASS (Rohatsu)
  • Tuesday, December 9th, 8 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 16th, 8 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

Online: Engaged Buddhism Caregivers Support Group

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Third Wednesday of each Month | 7:00 – 8:30 pm EST

Facilitated by Soren Cathy Shrady and Meigetsu Rebecca Beers

On the third Wednesday of every month, we gather to support one another in the experience of caring for a loved one with dementia or related conditions. Grounded in our lived experience and informed by Buddhist practice and perspectives, we create a compassionate space for sharing that begins with 10 minutes of zazen. This free group is co-facilitated by Meigetsu and Sōren, fellow Zen students engaging with this particular life koan rather than professional therapists.

Learn more about Engaged Buddhism at the Zen Studies Society.

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NYZ: Zen in the Kitchen – Shojin Ryori Cooking Workshop

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Join us for a temple cuisine workshop with Masami Asao, Saturday November 1st and/or Sunday November 2nd. Learn delicious, traditional Japanese recipes in a beautiful temple setting at New York Zendo Shobo-ji.

Shojin ryori is an ancient form of Buddhist temple cooking that uses only simple, seasonal plant-based ingredients (no meat, fish, eggs, or even strong-smelling vegetables such as onions and garlic). The experience of making and eating shojin ryori connects you to the heart, spirit, and traditions of Japan.

In this workshop you will learn to prepare shojin ryori dishes with one of Japan’s leading instructors, Masami Asao Sensei. Asao Sensei, a temple chef and registered dietitian, is Director of Akasaka Teran, a vegetarian cooking school located within Jokokuji, a 350-year-old temple in Tokyo.

There will be a different menu each day; you are welcome to attend one or both days. The fee for this course is $85 per day or $150 for both days. To register for Saturday, November 1st only or to buy a ticket for both days, please click here. Instruction will be in Japanese with an English interpreter. Space is limited, so register early!  ZSS Health Protocols apply.

NYZ: Zen in the Kitchen – Shojin Ryori Cooking Workshop

by

Join us for a temple cuisine workshop with Masami Asao, Saturday November 1st and/or Sunday November 2nd. Learn delicious, traditional Japanese recipes in a beautiful temple setting at New York Zendo Shobo-ji.

Shojin ryori is an ancient form of Buddhist temple cooking that uses only simple, seasonal plant-based ingredients (no meat, fish, eggs, or even strong-smelling vegetables such as onions and garlic). The experience of making and eating shojin ryori connects you to the heart, spirit, and traditions of Japan.

In this workshop you will learn to prepare shojin ryori dishes with one of Japan’s leading instructors, Masami Asao Sensei. Asao Sensei, a temple chef and registered dietitian, is Director of Akasaka Teran, a vegetarian cooking school located within Jokokuji, a 350-year-old temple in Tokyo.

There will be a different menu each day, you are welcome to attend one or both days. The fee for this course is $85 per day or $150 for both days. To register for Sunday, November 2nd only, please click here. Instruction will be in Japanese with an English interpreter. Space is limited, so register early!  ZSS Health Protocols apply.

NYZ: “Dust to Light” Watch Party & Tea Ceremony

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Join us for an afternoon release party of Dust to Light, a short documentary made by Sangha member Enkai Erika Houle. Dust to Light is about what is really going on under the surface when we are cleaning. The film listens as four Zen practitioners reflect on the transformative process of cleaning when it is approached as a meditation rather than burdensome chore.

The film been screened in festivals around the world and will soon be available to the public. This event is the official release party and aligns with the date of the annual cleaning ceremony at Higashi Hongan-ji, the Pureland temple Miki Nakura Sensei is connected to. Enkai filmed this event for the upcoming piece. Locally, this day is also important as the NYC Department of Sanitation was founded on December 20th, 1881.

Inspired by audiences’ responses to the film, Enkai is working on a longer piece about cleaning. A sneak peek will be shown at the conclusion of the screening.

For those who cannot attend in person, an option to join the screening and Q&A via Zoom will be available.

The schedule will be as follows:

1:45 p.m. | Doors Open
2:00 p.m. | Tea Ceremony
3:00 p.m. | Film Screening + Q&A (also available online)

Tickets are $15, please register by purchasing a ticket below. The fee will cover any event expenses with the remainder going to support The Zen Studies Society. No one will be turned away for lack of funds, please email office@newyorkzendo.org or call 212-861-3333 if you need financial support. ZSS Health Protocols apply. 

This event is made possible with support from Tea Arts & Culture.

DBZ: Fall Kessei Closing Day 2025

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Kessei offers Zen students a unique opportunity to engage in residential Rinzai Zen practice. In our tradition, kessei refers to a designated period during which daily activities are guided by strict rules and a demanding schedule. Fall Kessei closes on December 9, 2025.

Learn more about the kessei experience as described by kessei practitioners in this in-depth video. To read more in-depth about kessei, click here. To apply for 2026 Spring Kessei (dates to be announced), email us here.

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