If you have questions, all things are questions.  Why do you live?  Why do you die?  How can you see, smell and taste?  Why does the sun rise in the east?  Why does the moon shine only at night?  Why does the earth revolve around the sun?  And so on and so forth.  But the ten thousand questions are only one question.  "What am I?"

               ....Zen Master Seung Sahn

WEEKLY UPDATE

MON 23 DECEMBER - SUN 29 DECEMBER 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

RING IN THE NEW YEAR AT CZC!

 New Year's Eve Kido Chanting

TUE 31 DECEMBER 11:00PM – 12:00 AM

Join us for a special New Year's Eve Kido (extended chanting) practice. We will chant the Thousand Hands and Eyes Sutra, followed by Kwan Seum Bosal chanting until the stroke of midnight. Sparkling cider and other snacks to follow!

500 Bows for the New Year!

WED 1 JANUARY 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Join us for special New Year bowing practice. We will do five sets of 108 bows together – full prostrations, standing bows or chair bows, whatever speaks to your body's needs. There will be a short break between each set of bows. We will end with a brief New Year circle talk ... then refreshments! 

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. 

CHECK OUT OUR NEW FACEBOOK PAGE & follow us! 

DHARMA TALK - Cancelled due to the Holiday

THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 7:30-8:05 PM

Regular one period of sitting due to the Holiday.

TUESDAY COMMUNITY DINNER at 5:30 PM -Cancelled due to the Holiday.

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 - Cancelled due to the Holiday*

TUESDAY 24 DECEMBER 7:30-8:05 PM

Join URL: Tuesday Zoom Meditation Practice / Meeting ID: 85830843540

*There will be one sitting period of 30 minutes. You may join the Zoom meeting at 7:25-7:30 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      

 (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 26 DECEMBER 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 -with Zen Master Bon Shim on Zoom

SUNDAY 29 DECEMBER 9:00-11:30 AM 

Join us for 4  30-minute sitting periods.   Zen Master Bon Shim, Aleksandra Porter will give Kong-An interviews.  If you are new, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for brief instruction on our practice forms. 

YOUNG ZEN -CANCELLED and will resume 5 January

SUNDAY 29 DECEMBER 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

Events at Sister Sanghas