For newcomers and experienced practitioners alike, the Day of Zen 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.
This is the tentative schedule of the day’s activities
9 a.m. Doors open, check in
9:30 a.m. Welcome, overview of the day, chanting instruction
10 a.m. Morning chanting service (choka); short break
11 a.m. Instruction on zazen (sitting meditation) and kinhin (walking meditation)
Noon Zazen, kinhin, zazen
1 p.m. Jihatsu lunch with instruction
2 p.m. Nittensoji (cleaning), including lunch clean-up; short break
2:50 p.m. Shinrei (warning bell)
3 p.m. Dharma talk
3:30 p.m. Zazen
4 p.m. Closing, informal Q&A, tea and conversation
5 p.m. Departure
The fee for the day is $40 for Supporting Members and $50 for nonmembers. Please consider becoming a Supporting Member of ZSS. If you are a current sangha member and can volunteer to assist for the day the fee will be waived; please contact office@newyorkzendo.org. ZSS Health Protocols apply.