Zen Studies Society

08/08/2026

Preparations for Obon at DBZ to honor ancestors, family members, and loved ones who have passed away.

07/11/2026

NYZ: Segaki Service
July 26th, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

(Rescheduled from July 19th)

Please join us at New York Zendo as we gather to honor and celebrate our departed loved ones. For our Segaki Service, we will collectively create an altar with photos, ihai (memorial tablets), and mementos of our deceased family and friends.

This event will also be broadcast online using the regular online zazen link. Please submit the names of any departed you would like honored to [email protected].

For more information visit:
https://zenstudies.org/event/nyz-segaki-service-07-19/

07/10/2026

NYZ: Summer Calligraphy and Tea Workshops

Four Fridays starting 7/10
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Through tea, calligraphy, and contemplation of the Dao De Jing, we gather to explore the nature of self and cultivate a kinder relationship with our inner world.

Join us in the quiet of summer evenings for tea in the garden, brush and ink in the Dharma Hall, and the companionship of fellow seekers.

For more information or to register, visit:
https://zenstudies.org/event/nyz-summer-calligraphy-tea-workshops/2026-07-10/

You can register for just one workshop or all four

06/21/2026

DBZ: O-Bon Samu Sesshin
August 2 - August 9

The days leading up to O-Bon offer a unique opportunity to participate in traditional Rinzai monastic practice, working with the monastery residents to prepare the O-Bon festival in a modified sesshin schedule.

There is no fee for the O-Bon Samu Sesshin, but please consider purchasing a tiered-price ticket or making a donation to help cover the cost of your stay.

For more information or to register, visit:
https://zenstudies.org/event/dbz-o-bon-samu-sesshin-2026/

06/20/2026

Online: The Path of No Path – A Ten-Week Course

Beginning September 27, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

This ten-week course led by Hokuto Daniel Diffin Oshō will look at the four noble truths and the eightfold path from multiple perspectives, including the Theravadan and Mahayana traditions, as well as contemporary “secular buddhism” as espoused by Stephen Batchelor. But the major emphasis will be on Zen teachings, particularly Bodhidharma, Huineng (Eno), Rinzai, and Dogen.

For more information, or to register, visit:
https://zenstudies.org/event/online-the-path-of-no-path-a-ten-week-course/

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/