Minnesota Zen Meditation Center

06/06/2026

Memorial for Tomoe Katagiri

With sadness, we bring you the news that Tomoe Katagiri passed away in Minneapolis on May 30th. She was 94 years old. When her husband, the late Dainin Katagiri, founded MZMC in 1972, Tomoe was by his side. Energetic and diligent, she helped to develop our center in countless ways. As one of the first people in North America to learn and teach the practice of sewing Buddhist ceremonial robes, Tomoe went on to become a master of Zen sewing. For over forty years she quietly guided students to sew the rakusu and okesa that they would wear, transmitting a deep reverence for Buddha’s robes, making lifelong friends, and passing on her skills to a new generation of teachers. Throughout her long life, Tomoe was a beloved model of devotion to sewing as spiritual practice and Buddhism as a caring way of life. You can learn more about Tomoe’s life and teaching at www.mnzencenter.org/tomoe-katagiri

Here is a passage from an article about Tomoe-san from Tricycle magazine: "Toward the end of our interview I asked Tomoe what is most important about Nyoho-e. She leaned in. 'Through sewing you learn a lot about the Dharma, Buddha's teaching. It’s not just sewing! One stitch. Tiny stitch. When you think how many yards you will sew, chanting the Buddha's name with every stitch, if you count all the stitches, you say, "I cannot do it!" But, if you do this stitch: one stitch. one stitch. one stitch continuously, you will finish. If you stop, if you quit, even if you are very good at stitching, you will never finish. Just continue! And when you continue with the stitching you will have many problems. Experience. Yes. That is your life. You can learn about oneness just chanting refuge in the Buddha with every stitch, and your life, that is dharma stitching.'"

MZMC will host a memorial service for Tomoe Katagiri on Sunday, June 28th, from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. with reception to follow. Information about the service and a Zoom link will be posted here, as it is available:
https://www.mnzencenter.org/memorial-tomoe-katagiri.html

MZMC will offer memorial ekos during morning service on June 11th and July 16th.

With deep gratitude for the offerings and life of our beloved teacher Tomoe-san,

Ben Connelly, Guiding Teacher

06/06/2026

G​uiding Teacher Ben Connelly offered the invocation at a candlelight vigil for health care with Rev. Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan​, HIV/AIDS activists, the national Presidents of AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers and more who couldn't stop talking about how Minnesota in 2026 showed the world that we can truly take care of each other. Let us ​follow the Buddha's teachings to provide the four requisites, food, shelter, clothing, and medicine, and provide health care for all.

05/28/2026

Guiding Teacher Transition Ceremony
Please join us for this community celebration!
Saturday afternoon, May 30
Ceremonies 1:00 – 2:15
Reception follows the ceremony.
Join online: https://www.mnzencenter.org/zoom-program-links.html

All are welcome to join in this community celebration to thank Ted O'Toole for his years of service as guiding teacher and to welcome Ben Connelly to the role. We will have a ceremony with time for offering thanks to Ted and Dharma dialogue with Ben followed by a reception.

05/19/2026

Pali Canon, Methods of Meditation
with Ben Connelly
Wednesday evenings, May 27 - July 1 (six weeks)
7:15 - 8:45 pm
Offered online and in person.
Register
https://www.mnzencenter.org/store/p142/Pali_Canon%2C_Methods_of_Meditation.html

The Pali Canon is the first written record of Buddhism and is widely regarded as the closest we can come to the actual teachings of the Buddha and his earliest followers. Emphasizing practical teachings and complete devotion to letting go of the causes of suffering, the Pali canon has inspired billions of people. We'll study how to bring these first Buddhist practices and teachings into our lives.

05/09/2026

After his talk at Berkeley Zen Center, guiding teacher Ben Connelly joined abbot Linda Gallijan and many others for a May Day march.

04/25/2026

Ben Connelly's been on the road sharing teachings from his newest book, joining in the practice at ten temples in the last couple weeks. Here he is with Tenmyo-san (who was in residence at MZMC last year) at San Francisco Zen Center and with a few other wonderful folks along the way.

04/24/2026

Please Join Us for Spring Movie Night
Saturday, April 25, in MZMC’s Main Hall
Doors open at 6:00 and movie begins at 6:30.
Offered on a donation basis.

We will enjoy popcorn, refreshments, and good company, while watching a wonderful film called "Rental Family," by Mitsuyo Miyazaki & Stephen Blahut. The film was released last year and is set in modern-day Tokyo.

More details and watch a trailer here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0pqP6ClcE8

04/24/2026

May Weekend Sesshin
with Ben Connelly and Sister Pearl Pham
May 15 – 17
Offered in person and online.

At this traditional meditation retreat, we follow the forms and rituals used in the Soto Zen tradition for centuries. Weekend sesshin includes zazen, kinhin (walking meditation), liturgy, dharma talks, formal vegetarian meals using oryoki, dokusan (one-to-one meetings with the teacher), and work practice.
Register
https://www.mnzencenter.org/retreats-and-workshops.html

04/16/2026

Greet Spring with a Meditation Retreat in Your Own Surroundings
Online Half-Day Retreat with Alan Eustace
Saturday, April 25, 8 am – 2 pm
Register
https://www.mnzencenter.org/store/p129/Online_Half-Day_Retreat%2C_April.html

This retreat is an opportunity for people who live at a distance from MZMC, or who find it more convenient to practice at home, to experience intensive meditation practice. Because online retreats are designed specifically for folks practicing at home, they allow us to explore the intersection between meditation practice and daily life.

04/04/2026

Here is a new article from guiding teacher Ben Connelly for Lion's Roar magazine.

Ben Connelly recounts how faith leaders and neighbors in Minneapolis practice presence, care, and nonviolent action. Their example illuminates the heart of Buddhist practice in a time of crisis.