For newcomers and experienced practitioners alike, the Intro to Zen Day at New York Zendo Shobo-ji is an opportunity to discover or reacquaint yourself with the essentials of Rinzai Zen Buddhist practice. This one-day session will include an introduction to zazen (seated meditation with attention to breath and posture), choka (morning chanting service), and samu (work practice). Participants will also learn how to use jihatsu (nested meal bowls) in a formal silent lunch. The afternoon will conclude with a Dharma Talk by a resident teacher, followed by informal tea and a Q&A period.
The fee for this program is $60 for nonmembers and $50 for Zen Studies Society (ZSS) members. Note that the member price is for ZSS members only – please consider becoming a Supporting Member. If you are a current Sangha member and would like to volunteer for the day in exchange for admission please contact office@newyorkzendo.org. ZSS Health Protocols apply.
Typical schedule (subject to change):
9:00 | Doors open, check-in, find robes |
9:30 | Welcome, overview of the day, instruction on chanting |
10:00 | Choka (morning chanting service) |
10:50 | Short break |
11:00 | Instruction for zazen (seated meditation) and kinhin (walking meditation) |
Noon | Zazen, kinhin, zazen |
1:00 | Jihastu lunch with instruction |
2:00 | Nittensoji (cleaning) including lunch clean-up |
2:40 | Short break |
2:50 | Shinrei (warning bell) |
3:00 | Dharma talk |
3:30 | Zazen |
4:00 | Closing, tea, informal Q&A and conversation |
5:00 | Departure |