To study the Buddha Way is to study the self
To study the self is to forget the self
To forget the self is to be actualized by myriad things
When actualized by myriad things, your body and mind as well as the bodies and minds of others drop away
No trace of enlightenment remains, and this no-trace continues endlessly
...Dogen
WEEKLY UPDATE
MON 30 MARCH - SUN 5 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 31 MARCH 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 / Unpacking Whiteness
WEDNESDAY 1 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. The BIPOC group is temporarily paused, we will notify you when it resumes meeting.
Join URL: SJDI / 817 4548 4299
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND DIVERSITY INITIATIVE/ BIPOC GROUP
WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL 5:00PM-6:30PM
IN PERSON ONLY in April
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).
MEDITATION INSTRUCTION FOR NEWCOMERS
THURSDAY 2 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 2 APRIL 7:30 PM
Join URL: Dharma Talk / Meeting ID 876 2455 3876
TOM JOHNSON, SDT will answer questions after an introductory talk by BETH WALSH, SDT
Beth Walsh became a Senior Dharma teacher in the Kwan Um School of Zen in 2023. She was a resident at CZC for 17 years. She is producer and director of Live Wire Sessions at Cambridge Community Television which features local and visiting musical talent for free events open to the public. She volunteers with a local Episcopal congregation doing relief work providing immigrant families with a safe place to congregate and sleep.
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.
LED BY ZEN MASTER WU KWANG ON 11 APRIL & DYAN EAGLES, JDPSN ON 12 APRIL
REGISTRATION CLOSES 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
SUNDAY 5 APRIL 9:00 - 11:30 AM
offered by COLIN BEAVAN, JDPSN
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.
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.
FOUNDATIONS OF KONG-AN WORK
SATURDAY 4 APRIL 11:00 AM -12:30 PM
led by Colin Beavan JDPSN
A re-introduction to the Kwan Um teachings about Don't Know, Substance, Hit, Truth and Function that lay the groundwork for working with kong-ans. Also, a discussion about the importance of kong-ans to our practice and our everyday lives. Participants must have passed Joju's Dog. A great conversation for those who love and/or are confused and frustrated by kong-ans.
RSVP by clicking the link above!
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.
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 https://americas.kwa
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