Zen Studies Society

05/20/2026

The Sute-Do event, held at NYZ this past weekend, was well attended.

Participants had the opportunity to explore the Yamato Spirit Method – the Japanese art of empowerment.

The event featured a shakuhachi flute meditation with Marco Karaku Burmester, a Tate (Japanese stage combat) demonstration by Yoshi Amano, a Samurai Artist from Shōgun, and luxury kaiseki dining prepared by Daisuke Yamada, a former Ambassador’s Chef.

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05/14/2026

NYZ: Open House
May 17, 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Come join the practice community at New York Zendo Shobo-ji for informal tea and conversation, meditation with experienced Zen students, and a chance to tour our historic city temple.

This is an excellent opportunity to discover Zen practice for yourself within an oasis of calm in the heart of Manhattan. Zazen meditation instruction will be offered throughout the event, with silent zazen periods held in the Zendo. Share tea and chat with Zen practitioners in the Dharma Hall.

05/01/2026

NYZ: Senbazuru for DBZ’s 50th Anniversary
May 22 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Gratitude practice and intention setting can be as simple as folding a piece of paper in half.

In honor of Dai Bosatsu Zendo’s 50th Anniversary, join in on the celebration of our sangha and the continued flourishing of the dharma through the simple offering of senbazuru – the folding of a thousand origami cranes.

Crane-folding for the 50th Anniversary senbazuru will happen weekly on Fridays, from 6:30 to 8pm, with the last session taking place on June 26th.

For more information visit:
https://zenstudies.org/event/nyz-senbazuru-for-dbz-50th-anniversary/2026-05-22/

04/14/2026

NYZ: Suizen Intensive
April 26, 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Suizen Intensive practice consists of five hours of zazen, with shakuhachi played by Karaku.

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.

For more information, or to register visit:
https://zenstudies.org/event/nyz-suizen-intensive-april-26/

For more information on Intro to Zen Visit:
https://zenstudies.org/new-york-zendo/zazen-intro-public-night/

The Suizen Intensive practice consists of five hours of zazen, with shakuhachi played by Karaku.

04/04/2026

DBZ: Intro to Zen Weekend
April 24-26

Join us for a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Rinzai Zen Buddhist practice at Dai Bosatsu Zendo, our monastery deep in the Catskill Mountains. Led by Chigan Roshi and senior students from the Zen Studies Society, Introduction to Zen is an intensive weekend focused on the three essentials of Zen Buddhist practice — zazen (seated meditation with attention to posture and breath), chanting, and samu (work practice).

For more info, visit:
https://zenstudies.org/event/dbz-intro-to-zen-weekend-apr-2026/

04/01/2026

DBZ: Holy Days Sesshin
April 4-11

Join Chigan Roshi for Holy Days Sesshin, a seven-day retreat when we honor the birth of the Buddha alongside the sacred observances of other religions during this time period.

For more information, or to register, visit:
https://zenstudies.org/event/dbz-holy-days-sesshin-2026/

02/22/2026

NYZ Noh Workshop CANCELLED
February 22 - 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Due to extreme weather conditions, the Noh workshop has been cancelled.

02/10/2026

NYZ: Shakuhachi Concert
March 14, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Join us for a Shakuhachi concert that shares the sounds and story of the Japanese bamboo flute that is used in Zen Buddhism.

Solo shakuhachi will be played by Marco Karaku Burmester, who has been studying shakuhachi in New York City and Kyoto since 2006.

The concert includes a brief introduction to Suizen and the honkyoku pieces played in this concert.
To learn more or to register, visit:
https://zenstudies.org/event/nyz-shakuhachi-concert-march-26/

If you are interested in learning how to play the shakuhachi, please join us after the concert for the Shakuhachi Workshop.
For information on the workshop, visit:
https://zenstudies.org/event/nyz-shakuhachi-workshop-march-26/

02/09/2026

DBZ: Intro to Zen Weekend
March 20 - March 22

Join us for a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Rinzai Zen Buddhist practice at Dai Bosatsu Zendo, our monastery deep in the Catskill Mountains. Led by Chigan Roshi and senior students from the Zen Studies Society, Introduction to Zen is an intensive weekend focused on the three essentials of Zen Buddhist practice — zazen (seated meditation with attention to posture and breath), chanting, and samu (work practice).

To find out more, or to register, visit:
https://zenstudies.org/event/dbz-intro-to-zen-weekend-mar-2026/

02/08/2026

NYZ: March-On Weekend Sesshin
March 6 - March 8

Led by Chigan Roshi, this sesshin commemorates the life and legacy of Soen Nakagawa Roshi. Born in Japan in 1907, Soen Roshi was a revered Zen master who played a pivotal role in introducing Zen Buddhism to the West.

To find out more, or to register, visit:
https://zenstudies.org/event/nyz-march-on-weekend-sesshin-2026/