Ithaca Zen Center

07/09/2026

Dear Ithaca Zen Center Sangha,

We hope you are enjoying the warmth and beauty of summer. We look forward to practicing together in the coming weeks and invite you to join us for our upcoming offerings.

🪷 An Evening Together (on Zoom)

Wednesday, July 15
7:00 p.m. Eastern

Wednesday, July 22
7:00 p.m. Eastern

Please join us for meditation, Dharma discussion, and an opportunity to connect with the sangha from wherever you are. Whether you’ve been practicing for many years or are just beginning, everyone is warmly welcome. Zoom link in bio.

🪷 Sunday Morning Sitting

Sunday morning practice in person and on zoom continues throughout the summer.

8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Tea service, chanting, seated meditation, walking meditation, and Dharma Talk by Yoshin. Everyone is welcome, newcomers please contact us for orientation.

🪷 Upcoming Sesshin

Fall Sesshin
September 6–12, 2026
Ithaca Zen Center

Sesshin offers an opportunity to step away from the demands of daily life and immerse yourself in several days of silent practice. Whether you attend for the full week or a shorter period, we encourage you to consider joining us for this deep and supportive practice.

Rinzai-ji Sesshin
October 12–17, 2026
Rinzai-ji, Los Angeles

Yoshin will also be leading sesshin at Rinzai-ji this October. As in previous years, Ithaca Zen Center members are eligible for the special member registration fee. If you are interested in attending, please contact the office for details.

For questions about upcoming practice opportunities, please contact [email protected].

With gratitude,

Ithaca Zen Center

05/13/2026

Dear friends,

As we move toward the summer practice season, we wanted to share a few updates and upcoming dates with the sangha. 🪷

Our Wednesday evening “An Evening Together” Zoom gatherings will continue for the next two Wednesdays at 7:00 PM ET. These will be the final two meetings before the summer retreat schedule begins. Link in bio.

🪷 Upcoming “An Evening Together” meetings:

• Wednesday, May 13 — 7:00 PM ET
• Wednesday, May 20 — 7:00 PM ET

Sunday morning sittings will continue as usual throughout the summer.

🪷 Upcoming Sesshin

Ithaca Zen Center — Ithaca, NY
• Summer Sesshin: June 3–9
• Fall Sesshin: September 6–12

If interested, contact us at [email protected]

Rinzai-ji Sesshin — Los Angeles, CA
• October 12–17

A special $100 fee is available for Ithaca Zen Center members attending the October sesshin at Rinzai-ji to help offset travel costs. For more information, please contact Myōren at [email protected].

🎶 Yoshin’s New CD: Once You Know

We’re also happy to share the release of Yoshin David Radin’s new recording, Once You Know.

Listen here:
https://davidradin.bandcamp.com/album/once-you-know

With gratitude to Chris Bruce, Morley Bruce, and Billy White for recording and mixing the album.

05/13/2026

🪷 A Note from Yoshin on the Current and Future Status of Ithaca Zen Center

Ithaca Zen Center was founded as a tax-exempt religious organization in 1978 as a way for a young practitioner to continue his practice while raising a family and earning a livelihood. Going through a variety of incarnations, the center eventually moved to its current location in 1987 in a beautiful rural setting outside of Ithaca. It was, and is, what is called a “personal” temple in that it is owned by my wife Marcia and me.

The center hosted practice for the local community where I tried to share zazen practice and dharma teachings. Joshu Sasaki Roshi, my teacher, visited twice a year to lead intensive sesshins – his final visit being at the age of 100 in 2007.

In 1993, Marcia founded Body Mind Restoration Retreats, a remarkable combination of deep, natural healing protocols for body and mind. The retreat grew almost exponentially, with over 300 attendees per summer. Adjoining properties were added to accommodate the growing number of participants. Eventually she created a center that evolved into a remarkably stunning setting. Ithaca Zen Center was the beneficiary of her remarkable vision and creativity, and we have been able to practice together in an environment that was supported by Body Mind Restoration Retreats.

The Dream Comes to an End

After 38 years of hosting Ithaca Zen Center and Body Mind Retreats, it is now time to retire. And retirement entails offering the four properties that constitute the center for sale.

This year, IZC has been the recipient of extraordinary generosity from Rinzai-ji and Denkyo-an, the home temple in Los Angeles. We will be using these funds to help the center in this period of transition.

If a new owner appears who wishes to continue the practice and programs at the center, it would be wonderful. But it is time for our retirement.

How the Zen center will evolve remains to be seen. The local sangha will have to decide.

We have been blessed by your gratitude, affection and support. It is difficult to express the depth and mixture of our feelings.

Blessings,
Yoshin

04/25/2026

Day-Long Sitting, Upcoming Sesshin, and Practice Opportunities -

japanese bridge at IZC

04/04/2026

Sunday Talk Update + Upcoming Events -

japanese bridge at IZC

03/27/2026

Sunday Work Periods + Upcoming Events -

japanese bridge at IZC

03/23/2026

Evening Together (March 25 & April 1) and Upcoming Sesshin (April & June) -

japanese bridge at IZC

03/02/2026

Upcoming Sundays, and a Message from Yoshin -

japanese bridge at IZC

02/06/2026

❄️ Sunday Update + Upcoming Zen Center Events -

japanese bridge at IZC

01/31/2026

No In-Person Sitting Sunday Morning — Zoom Dharma Talk at 10:30 AM -

japanese bridge at IZC