Chapel Hill Zen Center

05/02/2026

🏮 SUMMER SESSHIN
Led by Josho Pat Phelan Roshi
Friday evening, June 5 to Wednesday afternoon, June 10

Our Summer Sesshin, led by Abbess Josho Pat Phelan Roshi, begins Friday evening, June 5 and concludes Wednesday afternoon, June 10.

“Sesshin is an intimate way to practice with ourselves and others. We begin sesshin together, we sit together, walk together, eat together, and work together. Our practice is supported by the entire universe and each of us is supporting everyone else.”

Sesshin begins at 7 PM on Friday with orientation and job assignments — please arrive on time. The zendo will be open from 5 PM. Silence begins following orientation.

The daily schedule includes zazen from 6 AM, kinhin, a Dharma Talk, work period, formal oryoki meals in the zendo, and dokusan — individual meetings with Josho Roshi.

It is possible to sit part of sesshin. Priority is given to those sitting the whole sesshin, but partial attendance is welcome. Please come to orientation on Friday evening and commit to at least two consecutive days.

Fees: $50 per day for Participating Members, $60 per day for others. Scholarships are available — no one will be turned away for financial reasons. To request a scholarship, contact Danielle at [email protected].

📄 Please return your registration form with a $50 deposit by Wednesday, May 27.
Registration form and full details:https://www.chzc.org/sesshin.pdf

For questions about accommodation, contact Zenki at [email protected].

Everyone is warmly welcome.

05/02/2026

Our monthly Virtual Peer Group meets on Wednesday, May 13 and Wednesday, June 10, from 7 to 8 PM via Zoom.

"Having good friends isn't half of the Holy Life. Having good friends is the whole of the Holy Life." — Meghiya Sutta
These gatherings offer sangha members an opportunity to share their experiences, receive encouragement, and offer compassion in a safe and supportive environment — a thriving virtual community grounded in Soto Zen practice.

Join via Zoom: https://www.zoom.us/j/85185384652 (Meeting ID: 85185384652)

📧 Contact: Al-Nisa Berry — [email protected] · Maura High — [email protected]

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05/02/2026

Open to both new and more experienced practitioners — join us on Saturday, July 18 for a workshop on the forms of practice at the Chapel Hill Zen Center.

We will go over when and how to bow, which direction to face at different times in the zendo, how to hold and care for sutra books, and how to move and carry objects with care. There will be a short tour of the Center and a question-and-answer period, followed by a period of zazen and a short service.

A gentle and welcoming introduction to the forms that hold our practice together. Everyone is warmly welcome. 🙏

ℹ️ More at:

Zen Buddhism Calendar of Events, Meditation Retreats, Ceremonies, and Notifications in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

05/02/2026

We warmly invite you to join us for our All-Day Sitting on Sunday, July 12. The day begins Saturday evening at 7:30 PM and continues Sunday from 6 AM to 5 PM, including zazen, a Dharma Talk, Dokusan, a work period, and meals in the oryoki form.

It's perfectly fine to sit just half the day — but please speak to Josho or Zenki if this is your first All-Day Sitting, and sign up in advance by emailing [email protected] by the Wednesday before.

Suggested donation: $15 for members, $25 for others. Oryoki sets are available for use ($5 donation appreciated).

Everyone is welcome. 🙏

ℹ️ More at:

Zen Buddhism Calendar of Events, Meditation Retreats, Ceremonies, and Notifications in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

05/02/2026

We warmly invite you to join us for a Silent Outdoor Half-Day Sitting on Saturday, June 27, from 6 AM to 12:15 PM.

Please bring a bag breakfast — you may keep it at your seat or store it in the annex fridge. Coffee and tea will be available on the back deck.

If you'd like to join for only a portion of the morning, please let us know when signing up. There is no charge, but donations are appreciated.

📧 To sign up or for more information: [email protected]

05/02/2026

During Summer Sesshin, Josho Pat Phelan Roshi will be giving daily Dharma Talks from Saturday, June 6 through Wednesday, June 11 at 10:30 AM.

Everyone is welcome to attend the Dharma Talks, even if you are not sitting the full sesshin. 🙏

ℹ️ More at:

Zen Buddhism Calendar of Events, Meditation Retreats, Ceremonies, and Notifications in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

05/02/2026

Our Summer Sesshin, led by Abbess Josho Pat Phelan Roshi, begins Friday evening, June 5 and concludes Wednesday afternoon, June 10.

"Sesshin is an intimate way to practice with ourselves and others. We begin sesshin together, we sit together, walk together, eat together, and work together. Our practice is supported by the entire universe and each of us is supporting everyone else."

Sesshin begins at 7 PM on Friday with orientation and job assignments — please arrive on time. The zendo will be open from 5 PM. Silence begins following orientation. The daily schedule includes zazen from 6 AM, kinhin, a Dharma Talk, work period, formal oryoki meals, and dokusan with Josho Roshi.

It is possible to sit part of sesshin. Priority is given to those sitting the whole sesshin, but partial attendance is welcome — please come to orientation on Friday and commit to at least two consecutive days.

Fees: $50/day for Participating Members, $60/day for others. Scholarships are available — contact Danielle at [email protected]. No one will be turned away for financial reasons.

Please return your registration form with a $50 deposit by Wednesday, May 27.

📄 Registration form & full details:

05/02/2026

The final two Practice Intensive Teas for those participating in the Spring Practice Intensive will be held on Sunday, May 24 and Sunday, May 31, after temple cleaning.

These gatherings are an opportunity to come together, talk about practice, and support one another as we close out six weeks of dedicated zazen. 🙏

ℹ️ More at:

Zen Buddhism Calendar of Events, Meditation Retreats, Ceremonies, and Notifications in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

05/02/2026

We warmly invite you to join us for a Dharma Talk by Rev. Choro Carla Antonaccio on Sunday, May 17 at 10:30 AM. Choro Sensei is the Guiding Teacher at Austin Zen Center.

The talk follows two periods of zazen at 9 and 9:50 AM. Everyone is warmly invited to join us for all or any part of the morning programme. 🙏

ℹ️ More at:

Zen Buddhism Calendar of Events, Meditation Retreats, Ceremonies, and Notifications in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

05/02/2026

Come help us prepare the grounds for Buddha's Birthday! There will be a work period to clean and ready the outdoor space for Sunday's celebration. Come for the whole session or just part of it — every pair of hands is appreciated.

Also please contact Will and Edward at [email protected] if you are bringing children

Please bring flowers if you can, either on Saturday or by 9 AM on Sunday. 🌸

Everyone is encouraged to join us.

ℹ️ More at:

Zen Buddhism Calendar of Events, Meditation Retreats, Ceremonies, and Notifications in Chapel Hill, North Carolina