Someone asked Zen Master Seung Sahn how to develop wisdom.  He answered, "Only together action." "But Zen Master, there are a lot of hermits in the mountains who have been practicing for many years and they have very clear minds." "Yes, clear minds, but no wisdom."

            ...Zen Master Seung Sahn

WEEKLY UPDATE

MON SEPT 8 - SUN SEPT 14 2025

To join in person, visit the Guidelines for our health and safety protocols. All times are Eastern Standard Time.

Special Programs

Classes / Talks / Interviews / Groups

CHECK OUT OUR NEW FACEBOOK PAGE & follow us! 

INSTAGRAM IS HERE. Please follow us!

ANNUAL CANOE TRIP IPSWICH RIVER

Sunday 21 September 2025   9:15am - 3:00pm

Registration ends Sept 19 at noon—Click link in title to register

Join us for a refreshing together action day canoeing through National Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary and scenic wetlands in Willowdale State Forest. Reserve your spot $25 each with 2 in a canoe for a 4 hour journey with pot luck picnic lunch. You will be glad you did!

Pay $25 to our Venmo: @cambridgezencenter after you register

Canoe website info https://www.footebrotherscanoes.com
Contact us at director@cambridgezen.org

DHARMA TALK - THURSDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 7:30-8:30PM

Mark O’Leary, Senior Dharma Teacher will answer questions in person after an introductory talk by Emmy Daro.

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.

Emeila Daro grew up in Mill Valley, CA and moved East to study engineering at Tufts in 2019. After graduating, she spent time back in the Bay Area to confirm that she wasn't crazy to want to continue living in Boston. During that time, she was introduced to residential Zen practice living and working at Green Gulch Zen Center. She moved back to Boston and into CZC last September with renewed confidence that New England is her home. These days, Emmy balances life at CZC with a job managing historic renovation construction projects. 

Mark O'Leary is a Senior Dharma Teacher in the KUSZ. He teaches Zen meditation classes at Boston University, and volunteers in the Massachusetts Dept. of Corrections along with several other members of our sangha. He also hosts a Celtic music program on a community radio station on Cape Cod. For the past 38 years he has been married to his wife, Nancy. They have three adult children and two granddaughters who bring them great joy.

 
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 standard Tuesday Long Sitting.

TUESDAY LONG SITTING

TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 7:30-9:30 PM

Join URL: Tuesday Zoom Meditation Practice / Meeting ID: 858 3084 3540

Zen Master Bon Yeon, Jane Dobisz will offer Kong-An Interviews. There will be three sitting periods of 30 minutes.

• Interviews may begin at 7:00 PM

- 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 -  9:20-9:30pm Heart Sutra, Great Dharani, 4 Great Vows

If you are new, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for brief instruction on our practice forms.

UNPACKING WHITENESS /SOCIAL JUSTICE DIVERSITY INITIATIVE

WED 17 SEPTEMBER 8:15PM - 9:15 PM on Zoom. 

 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 11 SEPTEMBER 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

SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 9:00-11:30 AM 

Meeting ID 816 7973 3521

Dyan Eagles, JDPSN will offer Kong-An Interviews. You may join the Zoom meeting at 9:00 AM or 9:30-9:40 and 10:10-10:20 AM. The long sitting concludes with the Four Great Vows. The last Sunday and Tuesday of each month will feature zoom participants first for interviews.

FUNDAMENTALS  OF  ZEN

SATURDAYS SEPT 27, OCT 4, OCT 25 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

LED BY DYAN EAGLES, JDPSN

Learn the basics of Zen meditation and be introduced to its core teachings.  Each class will begin with a short period of meditation followed by questions and discussion. You will learn how to apply Zen teachings to your everyday life. 

Class is free; dana is appreciated. Register by emailing director@cambridgezen.org

YOUNG ZEN

SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 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.

KWan UM WorldwidE

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