Clear mind is like the full moon in the sky. Sometimes clouds come and cover it, but the moon is always behind them. Clouds go away, then the moon shines brightly. So don't worry about clear mind: it is always there. When thinking comes, behind it is clear mind. When thinking goes, there is only clear mind. Thinking comes and goes, comes and goes. You must not be attached to the coming or the going.
...Zen Master Seung Sahn
WEEKLY UPDATE
MON 4 MAY - SUN 10 MAY 2026
Special Programs
Classes / Talks / Interviews / Groups
SPECIAL PROGRAM
Classes / Talks / Interviews / Groups
TUESDAY COMMUNITY DINNER at 5:30 PM Come early and join us for dinner with a $10 suggested donation followed by chanting at 6:30 prior to the standard Tuesday Long Sitting.
TUESDAY LONG SITTING & KONG-AN INTERVIEWS OFFERED BY COLIN BEAVAN, JDPSN
TUESDAY 5 MAY 7:30-9:30PM
Join URL: Tuesday Zoom Meditation Practice / Meeting ID 858 3084 3540
There will be three sitting periods of 30 mins each with 10 mins break in between periods. You may join the Zoom meeting at 7:25-7:30 PM, 8:00-8:10 PM or 8:40-8:50 PM. If you are new, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for brief instruction on our practice forms.
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND DIVERSITY INITIATIVE/ BIPOC GROUP
WEDNESDAY 6 MAY 5:00PM-6:30PM
IN PERSON ONLY
This Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) practice group is a monthly gathering of self-identifying BIPOC practitioners that provides a safe place to meditate and explore contemplative practices. This sangha cultivates an environment that welcomes diverse voices and builds community. In a typical practice group, we enjoy a mix of sitting meditation, walking meditation, readings, and dharma sharing about our experiences and practice in everyday life.
To learn more about our sangha, please e-mail kfoo (kfoo@wpi.edu).
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND DIVERSITY INITIATIVE / Unpacking Whiteness
WEDNESDAY 6 MAY 8:15-9:15 PM
Description: CZC provides safe spaces in which to share and work through sensitive topics for spiritual growth.
Please Note: This group continues to meet over Zoom on the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month.
Join URL: SJDI / 817 4548 4299
MEDITATION INSTRUCTION FOR NEWCOMERS
THURSDAY 7 MAY 6:45-7:25 PM*
This introduction to meditation is offered weekly in person for those new to Cambridge Zen Center or meditation practice. Highly recommended for new students prior to attending a practice session. Your questions will be answered and you are welcome to repeat sessions. Meditation Instruction is in person.
DHARMA TALK FRIDAY 8 MAY 7:30 PM
Join URL: Dharma Talk / Meeting ID 876 2455 3876
MARSHALL WHITE, JDPSN will answer questions after an introductory talk byJOSH SENFTEN.
Marshall White JDPSN first became interested in Buddhism and Zen as a teenager when he started practicing the Japanese martial art Aikido and read one of Zen Master Seung Sahn’s books. He began practicing Buddhism in college, and spent several years living in Asia, practicing Soto Zen in Japan and Tibetan Buddhism in India. On returning from Asia in 2000, he began practicing with the Kwan Um School of Zen. Marshall is a graduate of Naropa University where he met his wife, with whom he has two children. He is currently 6th degree black belt in Aikido and works as a professional hospice chaplain in the San Francisco Bay Area. Marshall received Inka on April 1st, 2023, from Zen Master Bon Soeng.
Josh Senften is a Dharma Teacher in Training in the Kwan Um School of Zen since 2025. He began his practice with the Orlando Zen Center in 2016. He has sat both a one-month Summer Kyol Che and a 90-day Winter Kyol Che at Providence Zen Center. Josh was born in Sarasota, Florida, and grew up along the Gulf Coast. He graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2014 with a BA in Music Education. Josh worked as a professional musician for over 13 years, performing throughout Central Florida, the U.S., and the Caribbean playing saxophone, clarinet, and flute. He is currently a PZC resident, serving as Kitchen and Garden master.
LED BY MARSHALL WHITE, JDPSN ON 9 & 10 MAY
REGISTRATION CLOSES MAY 7TH
For more info, click link in title.
YONG MAENG JONG JIN (YMJJ) MEANS “TO LEAP LIKE A TIGER WHILE SITTING.” RETREATS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN OUR PRACTICE, TO PERCEIVE MORE CLEARLY AND ACT FROM OUR NATURAL COMPASSION AND WISDOM.
SUNDAY LONG SITTING & KONG-AN INTERVIEWS - CANCELLED
SUNDAY 10 MAY 9:00 - 11:30 AM
Join Zoom URL: Sun Long Sitting / Meeting ID 816 7973 3521
Note: There will be two sitting periods of 30 mins each with 10 mins break in between periods. You may join the Zoom meeting at 9:00 AM or 9:30-9:40 AM. If new, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for brief instruction on our practice forms. Join us for refreshments after the siting.
YOUNG ZEN - CANCELLED
Sundays 12:30 - 1:30 PM
Description: Come to the center to begin or deepen your meditation practice in community with other students and young adults. Each session includes sitting and walking meditation, a check-in, and a short talk or reading about how to integrate Zen practice into everyday life. You are also welcome to join our PM Zen Meditation Practice (see below). If you are new, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for brief instruction on our practice forms.
Regular Practice
Daily Sitting & Chanting
AM ZEN MEDITATION PRACTICE
Bows 5:45 AM daily except Sunday
Chanting 6:10 AM daily except Tuesday and Sunday
Sitting 6:35 AM daily except on Tuesday and Sunday
Description: AM Meditation Practice in person consists of bows and the Morning Bell Chant followed by the Heart Sutra in English. There is a 30-minute period of sitting.
MID DAY ZEN MEDITATION PRACTICE
Sitting 12:30 PM on Tuesday and Thursday for 30 minutes. There is no need to register, just ring the door bell for entrance 10 minutes beforehand.
PM ZEN MEDITATION PRACTICE
Special chanting 6:30 PM daily
Regular chanting 7:00 PM daily
Sitting 7:30 PM daily except on Thursday*
Description: PM Meditation Practice consists of a 35-minute period of sitting followed by a short reading concluding at 8:10 PM. Note: *On Tuesday evenings, join us for two sitting periods with interviews from 7:30 PM - 8:40PM. You may join the Tuesday Zoom Meditation Practice / Meeting ID 85830843540 Please join the meeting on time.
Upcoming & Ongoing
Events / News
Protect The Jewel We are so grateful for your support in keeping our doors open for 50 years! Please help us continue to serve the needs of the community for a long time to come by using any of the following ways to donate: click on the “Protect the Jewel” for GoFundMe; find Venmo@cambridgezencenter under “Czc Zen”; a new plate for credit card donations is near the wood stove, and a donation box is located in the Reception Room for cash or mail us a check to Cambridge Zen Center. We are a 501(c)(3) organization and our Tax ID is listed at the bottom of this page.
CZC Residency: If you have wanted to live in a practicing community, for either short or long-term, your opportunity awaits! Check out our residential requirements and for more information contact abbot@cambridgezen.org. Applications can be submitted online.
Membership is the most effective way to help the Cambridge Zen Center and receive discounts. When you join as a member, you also join the Kwan Um School of Zen, a worldwide community. Become a member today by completing this https://americas.kwa
The Precepts Ceremony on Founder’s Day Providence Zen Center:
Sunday August 9 at 10:30 am Deadline for applications: Wednesday June 24 for full DTs Friday July 17 for all other precepts
For those taking five precepts, the cost for robes is $85, and kasas are $40. For those taking ten precepts, the cost for materials is $75. Long robes for full dharma teachers are $325 and $40 for the set of bowls. The ceremonial kasas for sixteen and sixty four precepts are $100.
Online Sangha Events are also available at any sister sangha in the Kwan Um School of Zen Americas. See other opportunities in Europe and Asia, plus another calendar of KUOS events with schedules for online retreats and practice opportunities.
Composting Our Karma; Turning Confusion into Lessons for Awakening Our Innate Wisdom. A new book by our School Zen Master, Barbara Rhodes, Zen Master Soeng Hyang is out and is available for purchase at Shambhalla Publishers, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, at the CZC Book Store and at Providence Zen Center.
KWan UM WorldwidE
Events at Sister Sanghas