Zen Studies Society

NYZ: The Space Between – An Ikebana Workshop

by

In ikebana, as in Zen, space is not empty, it’s alive and essential. This workshop invites participants to slow down and listen to the quiet intervals between flowers, branches, and moments. In this class, we’ll explore how ikebana arrangements emerge not just from form, but from the space that holds it. The workshop will begin with a live demonstration, and then participants will create their own arrangement with guidance and feedback.

About the Instructor: Kristina Bajunaishvili has studied Sogetsu ikebana since 2015. She approaches ikebana as her primary creative practice, a way to explore space, form, and feeling through flowers and unexpected materials.

The fee for this in-person workshop is $70 for nonmembers and $55 for Zen Studies Society (ZSS) members. Register early as the maximum number of participants is 12. Note that the member price is for ZSS members only – please consider becoming a Supporting Member. No prior ikebana experience is necessary. Materials will be provided (all plants locally grown and sourced). ZSS Health Protocols apply.

NYZ: Memorial Service for Aiho Yasuko Shimano

by

Aiho Yasuko Shimano
March 5, 1935 – July 7, 2025

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Aiho Yasuko Shimano, former Director of New York Zendo Shobo-ji for two decades and spouse of founding Abbot, Eido Shimano Roshi. Her dedication and whole-hearted devotion to the Dharma and the Zen Studies Society never wavered. Her encouragement and energy spurred us on to create and maintain the strong practice we have now, and we are ever grateful for her wisdom and presence.

Please join us at New York Zendo Shobo-ji to remember Aiho-san on Sunday, August 3, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Following the memorial service in the zendo, there will be an informal reception in the Dharma Hall with light refreshments. Flowers, food, or monetary contributions are welcome. Every offering is deeply appreciated.

No registration necessary, all are welcome. ZSS Health Protocols apply. Aiho-san’s final resting place will be in Sangha Meadow at Dai Bosatsu Zendo. Details for the funeral service and interment will be announced when a date has been confirmed. 

NYZ: How to Boil Water – Serving Tea with the Senses

by

Do you add honey to your green tea because it’s bitter? Wondering what to do about that bland, lukewarm sarei sencha? Would you like to prepare any type of tea with more confidence?

The training of every tea student begins with boiling water. In this class, sangha member Enkai will lead a practical workshop on how to boil water without relying on thermometers or timers.

Join us for a fun afternoon of experimentation and practice, including meditating to a boiling kettle and learning how to make tea for sarei.

The fee for this workshop is $15, please purchase a ticket below. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

NYZ: Segaki Service

by

Please join us at New York Zendo as we gather to honor and celebrate our departed loved ones. For our Segaki Service, we will collectively create an altar with photos, ihai (memorial tablets), and mementos of our deceased family and friends.

We will then share a period of silent meditation before beginning our chanting service. Each participant will have the opportunity to offer incense and to include the names of their dearly departed in our dedication. After our chanting service, there will be a short period of nittensoji (temple cleaning) before we gather in the Dharma Hall for an informal lunch.

Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Registration is not required. Contributions in the form of monetary offerings, food, sweets, beverages, or flowers are very welcome. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

This event will also be broadcast online using the regular online zazen link. Please submit the names of any departed you would like honored to office@newyorkzendo.org. 

DBZ: Ohashi Touch, Zen Touch

by

Ohashi and instructors will teach the essence of the OHASHIMethod – offering effective techniques that achieve the joy of giving and receiving. Lessons will include the principles of tonus, cross-patterning for fluidity of movement, the correspondence between mother and messenger hand, and the importance of hara. Comparisons and parallels to Pilates and Yoga will also be explored.

There will be class each morning with Ohashi and a Certified Ohashiatsu® Instructor, and supervised practice sessions in the afternoon. In their free time, participants may hike the grounds, swim and boat in the lake, or simply rest.

The course is open to students at all levels. The course runs from Saturday, August 30th through Monday, September 1st, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You must arrive on Friday, August 29th, by 4:00 p.m. to check in. If you are coming from overseas, we strongly advise you to arrive on Thursday, August 28.

Ohashi and Kazu will arrive on Wednesday, August 27th. All students are encouraged to arrive early and join them at Dai Bosatsu Zendo.

ATTENTION: The cost for this course is in addition to the Room & Board fee. To register and pay for the course please visit OHASHIMethod. See room reservation information below.

All default room reservations include Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday night (check in August 29th, check out September 1st). You may also reserve additional nights. Room and Board fee includes 3 meals a day. All room information is available here. To book a standard monastery room, purchase a ticket below. To book a renovated room in the Beecher House, or for any questions, please email juyo@zenstudies.org. ZSS Health Protocols apply.

Tutorials & Sessions: During Ohashi’s visit, he will conduct a special 4-person tutorial for dedicated students and practitioners. This is a one-on-one learning opportunity to “work with” and “work on” Ohashi. Individual sessions will be available from Ohashi and Certified Ohashiatsu® Instructors.

There is an additional cost for Tutorials and Sessions. Please visit OHASHI-Method.biz for the complete schedule and to reserve your place for Ohashi’s Tutorials and Sessions.

NYZ: Suizen Intensive

by

Suizen, or “blowing Zen”, refers to the spiritual practice of playing the shakuhachi 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.” Come join us for an afternoon of immersion in this one mysterious note.

Our program will include six forty-minute periods of suizen, with kinhin (walking meditation) in between. Participants must have completed an Introduction to Zen Meditation class before registering.

Solo shakuhachi will be played by Karaku Marco Burmester, who has been studying shakuhachi in New York City and Kyoto since 2006. Karaku has a long-time connection to Dai Bosatsu Zendo as a student of Ronnie Nyogetsu Reishin Seldin, who held workshops at DBZ for many years. He has recently been awarded his shakuhachi teaching certificate and is looking forward to sharing his practice of suizen with the Zen Studies Society Sangha.

The fee for this event is $40 for nonmembers and $30 for Zen Studies Society (ZSS) members. Note that the member price is for ZSS members only – please consider becoming a Supporting Member. If you have any questions, please email office@newyorkzendo.org before registering. 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


DONATE

Contact Us

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

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