Why have so many humans not even considered the possibility of expanding their insight and compassion?  Buddhism teaches that three of the reasons are desire, anger, and ignorance.  We are so busy trying to get what we want and avoiding what we don't want that we lose sight of our mind's capacity to grasp the true meaning of life.  It's like the old saying, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans."

     ....Zen Master Soeng Hyang, from Composting our Karma

WEEKLY UPDATE

MON 21 JULY - SUN 27 JULY 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

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TWO-DAY YMJJ RETREAT at CZC

LED BY COLIN BEAVAN, JDPSN AUGUST 9 & 10. Registration closes Thursday, August 7th at 10 pm.

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.

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.

DHARMA TALK - THURSDAY 24 JULY 7:30-8:30PM

ZEN MASTER SOENG HYANG, BOBBY RHODES will answer questions in person after an introductory talk by Rohit Singh.

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.

Zen Master Soeng Hyang (Barbara Rhodes) is the School Zen Master of the Kwan Um School of Zen. She received dharma transmission from Zen Master Seung Sahn on October 10, 1992. She was one of Zen Master Seung Sahn's first American students and studied with him beginning in 1972. She was given inka in 1977. A registered nurse since 1969, she worked in hospice care. She helped found Providence Zen Center, and lived there for seventeen years, serving in a number of administrative capacities. Zen Master Soeng Hyang has a daughter and two grandchildren and lives with her wife Mary, in California. Her new book, Composting Our Karma; Turning Confusion into Lessons for Awakening Our Innate Wisdom. It is available for purchase at our Zen book table & at Shambhala Publishers.

Rohit Singh holds 5 precepts in the Kwan Um School of Zen.  He began his practice in 2018 and has been a resident at CZC for the past few years.  He completed a Bachelors in Computer Engineering and an MBA from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business.  He currently works as an AI Product Manager at Aetna Corporation. His birthplace was near Varanasi, India and he grew up in Mumbai.  He has lived in Boston for 9 years.

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 22 JULY 7:30-9:30 PM

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

Beth Walsh, Senior Dharma Teacher will offer CONSULTING Interviews. There will be three sitting periods of 30 minutes.

* Note: interviews may begin at 7:00 pm.

- 7:30-8:00pm Sitting (interviews begin) - 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 6 AUGUST 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 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 24 JULY 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.

FIELD DAY

SATURDAY 26 JULY at 12:00 NOON

Come join us for an afternoon of fun and games. We’ll be playing different games at Magazine Beach. Feel free to bring any games/ equipment that you have too!

SUNDAY LONG SITTING

SUNDAY 27 JULY 9:00-11:30 AM 

Meeting ID 816 7973 3521

Zen Master Bon Shim, Aleksandra Porter will offer Kong-an Interviews on Zoom. 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.

YOUNG ZEN

SUNDAY 27 JULY 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.

TRIVIA NIGHT

SUNDAY 27 JULY

Think you know your stuff? Bring your best A game and join us for a fun night of trivia from 8:30-9:30p at the CZC.

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.

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