What Is Zen?
What is Zen? It’s both something we are—our true nature expressing itself moment by moment—and something we do—a disciplined practice through which we can realize the joy of being. It is not a belief system to which one converts. There is no dogma or doctrine. Zen is the direct experience of what we might call ultimate reality, or the absolute, yet it is not separate from the ordinary, the relative. This direct experience is our birthright. The practice of zazen—meditation—is a way of realizing the non-dualistic, vibrant, subtle, and interconnected nature of all life. Read More
How To Practice
Zen is a path that must be studied, practiced, and actualized. The core of Zen is zazen, which requires motivation, patience, discipline, and dedication, and is cultivated through repeated, consistent practice.
Formal Zen practice begins with two basic activities: we sit, and we breathe, with awareness. From that basic engagement, we extend the activity to include walking, chanting, eating, working—every aspect of daily life. Read More
Our Teachers
Shinge Roko Sherry Chayat Roshi, our abbot, began formal Zen practice in 1967 at the Zen Studies Society’s first location on the Upper West Side of New York City. She was co-director and a resident at Dai Bosatsu Zendo from 1974 to 1976 during its pioneer years, and then became the spiritual director of the Zen Center of Syracuse Hoen-ji, where she was appointed abbot in 1996. On January 1, 2011, she was installed as abbot of the Zen Studies Society by the founding abbot, Eido Tai Shimano Roshi. Read More
Talks and Videos
Here are videos and podcasts of our teachers and guests talks. Take a moment for yourself and listen. Click here.
Reading List
There are many, many great books on the subject of Buddha’s teachings, so we have compiled a list you may find helpful. Read More
Our Books
We have published several books that are not available anywhere else. Read More
Sutra Book
For a pdf of the Zen Studies Society daily sutras, click here.