When we bow together and chant together and eat together, our minds become one mind. It is like on the sea. When the wind comes, there are many waves. When the wind dies down, the waves become smaller. When the wind stops, the water becomes a mirror, in which everything is reflected-mountains, trees, clouds. Our mind is the same. When we have many desires and many opinions, there are many big waves. But after we sit Zen and act together for some time, our opinions and desires disappear. The waves become smaller and smaller. Then our mind is like a clear mirror, and everything we see or hear or smell or taste or touch or think is the truth. Then it is very easy to understand other people's minds. Their minds are reflected in my mind.
...Zen Master Seun Sahn
WEEKLY UPDATE
MON NOV 3 - SUN 9 NOVEMBER 2025
Special Programs
Classes / Talks / Interviews / Groups
CHECK OUT OUR NEW FACEBOOK PAGE & follow us!
INSTAGRAM IS HERE. Please follow us!
TWO-DAY YMJJ RETREAT
NOVEMBER 8 & 9 2025
LED BY DYAN EAGLES, JDPSN
Registration closes Thursday 6 November
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.
Please note all our offerings are in person only except where Zoom links are provided then it is in person and also on Zoom. Retreats are both and link is provided after registration.
TUESDAY 4 NOVEMBER 7:30-9:30 PM
Join URL: Tuesday Zoom Meditation Practice / Meeting ID: 858 3084 3540
COLIN BEAVAN, JDPSN will offer KONG-AN Interviews. There will be three sitting periods of 30 minutes.
*Note: Interviews may begin at 7PM during chanting
- 7:30-8:00pm Sitting
- 8:00-8:10pm Walking
- 8:10-8:40pm Sitting - 8:40-8:50pm Walking
- 8:50-9:20pm Sitting
If you are new, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for brief instruction on our practice forms.
DHARMA TALK - THURSDAY 6 NOVEMBER 7:30-8:30PM
Colin Beavan, JDPSN will answer questions in person after an introductory talk by Cherie Miot Abbanat.
Join this event over Zoom: Meeting ID 876 2455 3876
Dharma talks give you an opportunity to ask questions you might have about Buddhism, Zen teachings, or the connection between Zen meditation and daily life. This event is followed by refreshments and social time.
Colin Beavan JDPSN first practiced Zen in the Kwan Um School of Zen in 1996. He is a father of a College-aged daughter, a trusted advisor and coach, and the author of several books, including How To Be Alive and No Impact Man. He living at CZC for a while, his home temple is the Chogye International Zen Center, and he received Inka in April, 2022.
Cherie Miot Abbanat holds five precepts in the Kwan Um School of Zen. She is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Urban Studies & Planning and the Department of Architecture at MIT where she has been teaching for over twenty years. She lectures on non-profit management, policy and post-disaster rebuilding, in New Orleans and Haiti. She is also the CEO of Haiti Projects, a non-profit dedicated to empowering women including a women’s health clinic, a sewing cooperative and the first maker library in Haiti with a staff of over 150 women in Haiti and the US since 2013. She has collaborated in numerous Service Learning and International professional projects.
TUESDAY COMMUNITY DINNER at 5:30 PM
Come early and join us for a delicious vegetarian dinner with a $10 suggested donation followed by chanting at 6:30PM prior to the Tuesday Long Sitting.
BIPOC GROUP
WED 5 NOV 5:00PM-6:30PM
(1st Wednesday IN PERSON))
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 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).
UNPACKING WHITENESS /SOCIAL JUSTICE DIVERSITY INITIATIVE
WED 5 NOVEMBER 8:15PM - 9:15 PM on Zoom Only.
Meeting ID: 81745484299
(1st & 3rd Wednesdays on Zoom)
In these one hour meetings, we join together to talk about race and dharma practice, and examine how white privilege operates as we examine the question "What Am I?" The group is currently working with Composting Our Karma: Turning Confusion into Lessons for Awakening Our Innate Wisdom by Barbara Rhodes, Zen Master Soeng Hyang. We use three passages from the book followed by questions to guide our discussion. There is no need to purchase the book, the passages for discussion are posted in the zoom chat. We welcome new members - no experience necessary. Inquiries are presented and facilitated by Senior Dharma Teacher Jennifer Magrone, who brings over ten years of professional experience with addressing how bias and identity oppression operate. If you are curious - please join us!
MEDITATION INSTRUCTION FOR NEWCOMERS
THURSDAY 6 NOVEMBER 6:45-7:30PM
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.
SUNDAY LONG SITTING - CANCELLED DUE TO YMJJ
SUNDAY 9 NOVEMBER 9:00-11:30 AM
Dyan Eagles, JDPSN will offer Kong-An Interviews.
Meeting ID 816 7973 3521
If you are new, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for brief instruction on our practice forms.
YOUNG ZEN - CANCELLED -
9 NOV (RESUMES 16 NOVEMBER) 12:30-1:30 PM
Begin or deepen your meditation practice in community with other students and young adults. Each session includes sitting meditation, a check-in, and then a short talk or reading about how to integrate Zen practice into everyday life followed by refreshments.
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 online Membership Application.
The Precepts Ceremony will be held on December 13th at Providence Zen Center. Ceremony broadcast on Zoom. Precepts will be given IN-PERSON ONLY. Applications needed by November 17th. For more information https://americas.kwanumzen.org/precepts/
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.
Christian-Buddhist Retreat at Providence Zen Center Nov 15 Christian contemplation and Buddhist meditation practices use similar techniques as a way of returning to before thinking, to not-knowing. This retreat emphasizes sitting and walking meditation, and includes interfaith talks, interviews, and a Q&A.
7 Day YMJJ Retreat with Zen Master Soeng Hyang at Providence Zen Center.Practice traditional Korean intensive meditation, Yong Maeng Jong Jin (YMJJ), with Kwan Um Zen School Zen Master Soeng Hyang (Bobby Rhodes). Senior Dharma Teacher Mark O'Leary will serve as Head Dharma Teacher for this retreat; Dharma Teacher Elizabeth Goldstein will serve as Moktak Master. Sit for 3-7 days, in-person at Providence Zen Center. No previous retreat experience is required to sit this retreat.
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