WEEKLY UPDATE
MON 8 DECEMBER - SUN 14 DECEMBER 2025
Special Programs
Classes / Talks / Interviews / Groups
Buddha’s Enlightenment Day, Inka Ceremony + new JDPSN & Precepts Ceremonies.
SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER at Providence Zen Center, Cumberland RI
JOIN US! Both ceremonies held in person at Providence Zen Center and broadcast LIVE on Zoom.
TUESDAY 9 DECEMBER 7:30-9:30 PM
Join URL: Tuesday Zoom Meditation Practice / Meeting ID: 858 3084 3540
Colin Beavan, JDPSN will offer Kong-An Interviews. There will be three sitting periods of 30 minutes.
*Note: Interviews may begin at 7PM during chanting
- 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
If you are new, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for brief instruction on our practice forms.
DHARMA TALK - FRIDAY 5 DECEMBER 7:30-8:30PM*
Tom Johnson, SDT will answer questions after an introductory talk by Joe O’Farrell.
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.
Tom Johnson. Tom is a Senior Dharma Teacher in the Kwan Um School of Zen and former Abbot of CZC for 8 years and a long-time member of the Board of Directors at Cambridge Zen Center. He produced over 200 short videos of CZC Dharma Talks on UTube. He retired from law and managing law offices and now travels the world. He has two children and 2 grandchildren.
Joe O'Farrell took five precepts in the Kwan Um School of Zen in 2012. He began his practice at the Cambridge Zen Center in 2006. He works in construction at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and moved to Boston from Ireland in 1986. He is a volunteer with the Zen Center's Prison Dharma program.
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 Tuesday Long Sitting.
WED 7 JANUARY 5:00PM-6:30PM
(1st Wednesday)
Meeting ID: 884 2813 9726
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 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).
UNPACKING WHITENESS /SOCIAL JUSTICE DIVERSITY INITIATIVE
WED 17 DECEMBER 8:15PM - 9:15 PM on Zoom Only.
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 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 14 DECEMBER 9:00-11:30 AM
Colin Beavan, JDPSN offers Kong-An Interviews.
Meeting ID 816 7973 3521
If you are new, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for brief instruction on our practice forms.
SUNDAY 14 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.
7 Day YMJJ Retreat led by Zen Master Hyon Ja, Alma Potter-Providence Zen Center 6 DEC - 12 DEC. Practice traditional Korean intensive meditation, Yong Maeng Jong Jin (YMJJ), Senior Dharma Teacher Mark O'Leary will serve as Head Dharma Teacher for this retreat; Dharma Teacher Elizabeth Goldstein will serve as Moktak Master. Sit for 3-7 days, in-person at Providence Zen Center. No previous retreat experience is required to sit this retreat.
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.
Membership is the most effective way to help the Cambridge Zen Center and receive discounts. When you join as a member, you also join the Kwan Um School of Zen, a worldwide community. Become a member today by completing this online Membership Application.
7 Day YMJJ Retreat led by Zen Master Hyon Ja, Alma Potter - Providence Zen Center. 6 DEC - 12 DEC. Practice traditional Korean intensive meditation, Yong Maeng Jong Jin (YMJJ), Senior Dharma Teacher Mark O'Leary will serve as Head Dharma Teacher for this retreat; Dharma Teacher Elizabeth Goldstein will serve as Moktak Master. Sit for 3-7 days, in-person at Providence Zen Center. No previous retreat experience is required to sit this retreat.
The Precepts Ceremony will be held on December 13th at Providence Zen Center. Ceremony broadcast on Zoom. For more information https://americas.kwanumzen.org/precepts/
Online Sangha Events are also available at any sister sangha in the Kwan Um School of Zen Americas. See other opportunities in Europe and Asia, plus another calendar of KUOS events with schedules for online retreats and practice opportunities.
Composting Our Karma; Turning Confusion into Lessons for Awakening Our Innate Wisdom. A new book by our School Zen Master, Barbara Rhodes, Zen Master Soeng Hyang is out and is available for purchase at Shambhalla Publishers, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, at the CZC Book Store and at Providence Zen Center.
KWan UM WorldwidE
Events at Sister Sanghas