In spring, grass grows by itself. How true is that?

It’s a fact that grass grows by itself in spring.

In autumn, the wind blows.

In winter, snow falls. The truth is in what is seen, heard, and felt. The truth is not elsewhere.

Knowing this truth, understanding it correctly, awakening to it, and being able to use it is the right way of life.

                         ....Seung Sahn

WEEKLY UPDATE

MON 6 APRIL - SUN 12 APRIL 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 7 APRIL 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 8 APRIL  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 15 APRIL 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 9 APRIL 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 9 APRIL 7:30 PM

Join URL: Dharma Talk / Meeting ID 876 2455 3876

Jennifer Magrone, SDT will answer questions after an introductory talk by Theodore Locke.

Jennifer Magrone is a Senior Dharma Teacher in the Kwan Um School of Zen. She began practicing at CZC in 1993 and was a resident for seven years. She served on staff during her residency and is a long -time member of the Board of Directors. Jennifer also leads the monthly meditation group Unpacking Whiteness as part of our Social Justice and Diversity Initiative. She lives in Malden with two teenage children and works as an investigator of workplace complaints of discrimination or harassment.

Ted Locke holds five precepts in the Kwan Um School of Zen.  He’s been practicing at CZC for over 2 years.  He has a PhD in Philosophy and is currently a lecturer in Philosophy at UMass Boston since 2023.

TWO- DAY RETREAT

LED BY ZEN MASTER WU KWANG ON 11 APRIL & DYAN EAGLES, JDPSN ON 12 APRIL

REGISTRATION CLOSES THIS THURSDAY 9 APRIL. 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 DUE TO YMJJ

SUNDAY 12 APRIL 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 DUE TO YMJJ RETREAT

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.

INTERFAITH IN-PRACTICE

WED 22 APRIL   6:00 - 7:30 PM

Please join us at the Cambridge Zen Center for the first in a series of "interfaith in-practice" public programs with spiritual leaders from the local neighborhood. This dialogue on the personal dimensions of spirituality will be moderated by Colin Beavan, JDPSN in conversation with Brother Keith, Rabbi Chloe Zelkha, and Swami Tyagananda, who will also speak on their journeys as clergy and share practice forms. Q&A will be followed by refreshments. RSVP to director@cambridgezen.org 

ELDER ZEN

SATURDAY 25 APRIL.  11AM-12:30PM

How does Zen Buddhist practice relate to our experiences of aging? Join us in a supportive community at the Cambridge Zen Center to explore this question through meditation and discussion. We will begin with 20 minutes of sitting meditation, followed by a group discussion of a pertinent topic … then refreshments! All are welcome, and instruction is available for people who are new to meditation. Email director@cambridgezen.org to join the email list.

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

Events at Sister Sanghas