Don't expect your practice to be always clear of obstacles. Without hindrances, the mind that seeks enlightenment may be burnt out. So an ancient once said, "Attain deliverance in disturbances."
...Zen Master Kyong Ho
WEEKLY UPDATE
MON 23 FEBRUARY - SUN 1 MARCH 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 & CONSULTING INTERVIEWS with Bo-Mi Choi, Senior Dharma Teacher
TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 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 / Unpacking Whiteness
WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH 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. The BIPOC group is temporarily paused, we will notify you when it resumes meeting.
Join URL: SJDI / 817 4548 4299
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND DIVERSITY INITIATIVE/ BIPOC GROUP
WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH 5:00PM-6:30PM
(1st Wednesday of the month on Zoom)
Meeting ID: 884 2813 9726
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).
MEDITATION INSTRUCTION FOR NEWCOMERS
THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 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
THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 7:30 PM
Join URL: Dharma Talk / Meeting ID 876 2455 3876
DYAN EAGLES, JDPSN will answer questions after an introductory talk by DENISE JOHNSTONE, SDT
Dyan Eagles JDPSN is a Co-Guiding Teacher of Cambridge Zen Center. She began studying with Zen Master Seung Sahn in 1974. She received Inka in December 2020. Dyan is one of the founding members of Cambridge Zen Center where she served on the staff. Prior to retiring in 2019, Dyan was the Founder and CEO of DharmaCrafts, Inc. She is a long-time member of the Board of Directors.
Denise Johnstone is a Senior Dharma Teacher in the Kwan Um School of Zen practicing solo, online and in person. She also attends retreats with Subhana Baghazi Roshi from the Sydney Zen Centre. She came to Cambridge Zen Center in 2012 as a resident when she was a visiting scholar at Harvard University and since then has returned regularly to participate in a week or more of Kyol Che. Lately she has been working as an urban forest planner in Melbourne, Australia and is studying a Master of Divinity with Shogaku Zen Institute. Denise is married and has an adult son.
LED BY KWAN HAENG SUNIM, JDPSN
SUNDAY 14-15 MARCH
For more info and to register, click link in title.
Open Mic Night
FRIDAY 27 FEB 8:30 PM
Come join us for a night of fun and show off your talent while you're at it! Feel free to do poetry, sing, dance, or whatever makes your heart happy.
For more info Julia 347-882-0151 or jtbarnes820@gmail.com
SUNDAY LONG SITTING & CONSULTING INTERVIEWS
Sunday 1 MARCH 9:00-11:30 AM
ZEN MASTER BON SHIM will offer Kong-An Interviews.
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.
SUNDAY 1 MARCH
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.
Painting & Yogurt
SUNDAY 1 MARCH 2:00-4:00 PM
Do you enjoy painting while eating a tasty, healthy snack? Well then swing by for some paint by numbers and yogurt. Please RSVP to Julia jtbarnes820@gmail in advance so we know how many kits to order. We'll have a wide range of toppings to enjoy while we try our hand on this lovely Buddha image.
Internalizing Correct Speech with Thom Bond's Compassionate Communication
led by Matt Keeler, JDPSN
Saturday 7 March 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM - lunch served 12:00-1:00 PM
Right Speech is one aspect of the Eight-Fold Path of Buddhism leading to Buddhist Enlightenment. But how do we transform ingrained, divisive habits of speech so that we can more readily connect with others with more empathy and compassion? In this 3 hour workshop we will explore Thom Bond's Compassionate Communication, a version of Marshal Rosenberg's Non-Violent Communication, and how to integrate it with the meditative inquiry of Kwan Um Zen.
To register, send email to director@cambridgezen.org. There is no fee but dana for the teacher is greatly appreciated.
Providence Zen Center’s registration for Winter Kyol Che 2026 is still open! Register for your spot today: https://providencezen.org/kyol-che
Schedule of Teachers Leading Kyol Che
Week 9: February 28-Mar 7 | Rebecca Otte JDPSN
Week 10: March 7-14 | Agata Hae In JDPSN
Week 11: March 14-21 | Dennis Duermeier, JDPSN
Week 12: March 21-28 | Dyan Eagles, JDPSN
BUDDHA’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT PZC MARCH 28-29 2026
PRECEPTS MARCH 28 AT 3:00 PM
This event is in person and live on Zoom! Connect with fellow sangha members and participate in ceremonies. More info in the link.
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
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.
The Precepts Ceremony at PZC will be during Buddha’s Birthday Weekend on March 28 at 3pm. Here are the deadline for application: Friday March 6
For more info - CZC will offer a brief workshop in February to learn more about precepts and have your questions answered. Date TBA
https://americas.kwanumzen.org/precepts for info and the application.
KWan UM WorldwidE
Events at Sister Sanghas