Madison Zen Center

10/10/2025

"How vast is the heaven of boundless samadhi!
How bright and transparent the moonlight of wisdom!
What is there outside us,
what is there we lack?
Nirvana is openly shown to our eyes.
This earth where we stand is the pure lotus land,
and this very body—the body of Buddha."
—Master Hakuin's Chant in Praise of Zazen (Zazen Wasan)

(Photo by Sachter Photography)

10/10/2025

Here is wisdom from another tradition

Today is World Mental Health Day 💚

07/03/2025

No matter how much you study, how many books you read or how much theory you learn, this kind of knowledge can only be an aid, but never the driving force, toward peace of mind. And actually, if one is not careful, theoretical excercise can even be an obstacle. The important thing is to let go of mind and body and take refuge in truth itself. It is a matter of pemitting yourself, all you can, to recognize truth, to sincerly live in the now, here which IS your life. Roshi Sama

04/22/2025

Yes!

There is no one to feel small, no one to be made small, no one to feel superior, no one toward whom you could feel superior. Who are you to feel vain and proud when your very source is all being.
Your time of awakening will come. No one is hopeless. Life is not mean. No one is left out. There is no one who is more or less Buddha than any other. True nature is never lost, never hidden from you. It only seems that you have to go looking for it. Roshi Sama

12/13/2024

Just a couple lovely random Zen Center pics to enjoy:

12/13/2024

Dear friends,

It’s the time of year for many organizations to ask for donations. So here we are! Most of our financial need comes from maintaining our ancient (by American Midwest standards!) home here. We operate on a very small budget and so any amount given means a lot. I read somewhere that there are 24 holidays celebrated around the world in December! We will be celebrating the Buddha’s enlightenment this Sunday!

10/10/2024

Reminder: this is the weekend of our 50th anniversary and open house! Saturday October 12, from 1-3 pm.
Slideshow, meet and greet, cake, and house tours.

09/30/2024

Join us for our 50th anniversary open house, October 12th, from 1-3pm. Meet all the zennies, and special guests! Cake! Slideshow! Snacks!

06/14/2024

With our many reminders of the Great Matter these days, I thought this was a good thing to share!

Final Words

I have been teaching Zen students on this mountain for almost forty years. Many people come to visit me thinking they are visiting a Zen Master but they only see my form body, the house where my true nature lives. They don’t see my true nature. That is not a problem but it means that they have not seen their true nature.

Because they haven’t seen their true nature, they cannot see their parents, siblings, wife, and children, or anybody. They wander through life in vain, like a crazy person. We have to say that this is truly a world of darkness. Students who receive my teaching must do it with sincerity and dedication, not forgetting the methods I used. Ultimately, being sincere and dedicated is paying back your Dharma obligation, so you will not waste your practice or suffer a mental loss.

You should always retain three things: a place of practice, a teacher and Dharma friends.

(Three thousand years after Sakyamuni Buddha, three bodhisattvas of the highest level will appear on Dok Seung mountain. Seven people of great wisdom and numberless practitioners who have attained the Way will also appear.)

You should know that I am an eternal being, not dependent on a form body.
Even when my Dharma speech is not heard anymore, you should still be able to see my true face because it never disappears.

- Zen Master Mangong, Teachings

04/13/2024

Wonderful montage with many Sesshin photos. You may glimpse some MZC old timers there!

04/06/2024

Zuiko Redding has passed away. She was a house resident at the MZC in the 1980s and visited us there a number of times, including on the first day we reopened formal sittings after the first wave of the pandemic had let up

It is with deep reverence that we announce the passing of our beloved Zen teacher, Zuiko Redding. Zuiko transitioned peacefully yesterday afternoon at the Oldorf Hospice Home in Hiawatha, IA, where she was receiving around the clock care and attention. Sangha members were present with her for much of the time these last few days, and Kokonami was with her when she passed.

In accordance with her wishes, Zuiko's body will be cremated tomorrow afternoon. Two weeks ago, during her last dharma talk, Zuiko talked about the interconnection between death and renewal. It feels somehow fitting that on the day we are cremating Zuiko's body, we will also be celebrating Buddha's birthday. The cremation is scheduled to take place at approximately 3:30PM CST. At that time we invite all of you to join us, wherever you are, to chant the Heart Sutra for Zuiko.

Zuiko’s Hōji (49 day memorial service) is currently being planned. Virtual participation as well as in person attendance will be possible. We will update the CRZC website and this FaceBook page with details as soon as things settle.

Over the last several months, as Zuiko prepared herself and those around her for this moment, she stressed the importance that we continue to practice and to come together as a sangha. With that in mind, we want to assure everyone that Sunday morning practice at the Cedar Rapids Zen Center will continue in person and virtually with the help of our clergy friends from around the region. Monday evening dharma study will also continue virtually. Please check the CRZC website for updates to our practice schedule going forward.

Finally, while Zuiko’s passing was not unexpected, we are of course saddened at the loss. At the same time, we celebrate the legacy she leaves us: the wisdom of the Buddha, the comfort of the dharma, and the interconnectedness of the sangha. May we come together during this time to carry on the practice she established on behalf of all beings.

03/08/2024

I had to repost this reminder from our fellow zen center because I love the cartoon of the frazzled han (block) player!

Dont be tardy to the zendo mat!
"Move your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night March 9 being sure to get to Sunday sitting/teisho at the right time, 9:00 a.m." S.Rakow, CZG Director

*Striking the han, calling the monks to evening zazen.

"The Great Matter of Birth and Death. Impermanent Swiftly Passing. Awake Awake Everyone. Careful Do Not Waste Time"

-Eihei Dōgen 1200-1253 asserted "The Great Matter...", founder of Sōtō zen.

*Drawing: by Giei Satō from
Unsui:A Diary of Zen Monastic Life; cr, in Japan 1973, Institute of Zen Studies