When you really face the fact that there is nowhere to go and no choice, then you enter your situation completely.  Your mind does not keep saying, "Well, maybe I'll do this, maybe I'll do that." There is no choice.  There is only this moment, moment by moment by moment.  And at that point, you can open to the simplicity of your being and of your connection with others. From that, clear action is possible, compassionate meeting is possible. 

               ...Zen Master Wu Kwang

WEEKLY UPDATE

MON 6 JANUARY - SUN 12 JANUARY 2024

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

TWO-DAY YMJJ RETREAT LED BY DYAN EAGLES, JDPSN

SATURDAY & SUNDAY 11 & 12 JANUARY 2025

Note:  Registration closes 10 JANUARY at noon. 

Retreats are an opportunity to strengthen our practice, in order to perceive more clearly and act from our natural compassion and wisdom. 

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DHARMA TALK -  THURSDAY 9 JANUARY 7:30-8:30PM

You may join this event over Zoom at Dharma Talk / 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.

Zen Master Bon Haeng, Mark Houghton will answer questions after an introductory talk by Eric Johnson, Dharma Teacher in Training. 

 Zen Master Bon Haeng (Mark Houghton) became a student of ZenMaster Seung Sahn in 1976. He received permission toteach in 1990 and transmission to be Zen Master in 2000. He is one of the founding members of CZC and served as Abbot and Guiding Teacher for many years. He founded and guides Open Meadow Zen in Lexington, MA where he currently teaches. He also served as North American Abbot and taught an accredited Zen program at Boston University for many years. He has led retreats and given teachings around the country and internationally.  He has two grown children and is retired from working as an executive in a family-run company.

Eric Johnson, Head Dharma Teacher is a Massachusetts native and recently completed his Masters in Social Work from Boston University.  He works in mental health care in both outpatient and inpatient settings, and has a personal and professional interest in the intersection of spirituality and mental health. He is a Dharma Teacher in Training in the Kwan Um School of Zen, and began practicing at the Cambridge Zen Center 3 years ago, and has been a resident at the center for 2 years.  Outside of work and practice he likes to spend time with family and friends hiking, playing music, and sharing tasty food. 

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 7 JANUARY 7:30-8:40 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 two sitting periods of 30 minutes. You may join the Zoom meeting at 7:25-7:30 PM and 8:05-8:15 PM. If you are new, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for brief instruction on our practice forms.

BIPOC GROUP/ SOCIAL JUSTICE DIVERSITY INITIATIVE

WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY will resume meeting from 5:00 - 6:30 PM

In these 90-minute sessions, we explore practices that link to our various experiences of belonging and otherness, as well as our interest in social, racial, and environmental justice. Our group is especially interested in engaged Buddhism, and our practices will include 30” sitting meditation alongside diverse other forms of practice. Our aim is to create practice space, encourage interfaith Zen dialogue, and build community. All those who identify as BIPOC are welcome to join our practice sessions. Please contact kfoo (kaephu@proton.me) with questions or to join our list! 

UNPACKING WHITENESS /SOCIAL JUSTICE DIVERSITY INITIATIVE

WED 8 JANUARY 8:15PM - 9:15 PM    

 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 Home is Here:  Practicing Antiracism with the Engaged Eightfold Path by Lien Shutt.  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 9 JANUARY 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 RETREAT. Will resume on 19 JANUARY.

SUNDAY 19 JANUARY 9:00-11:30 AM 

Join Zoom URL: Sun Long Sitting / Meeting ID 816 7973 3521

A SENIOR DHARMA TEACHER will give CONSULTING Interviews. Join us for four  30-minute sitting periods.  If you are new, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for brief instruction on our practice forms.  

You may join the Zoom meeting at 9:00 AM or 9:30-9:40 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.

Download 2 Chants and 4 Great Vows

YOUNG ZEN -CANCELLED DUE TO RETREAT. WILL RESUME ON 19 JANUARY.

SUNDAY 19 JANUARY 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 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, 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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