The beginning and the end of practice is the same: "What am I?" Zen practice means look at yourself, "What am I?" Am I this body, am I my thinking, am I my emotion, my job, my family, my country? What am I? In our teaching if you look at that sincerely, finally you don't know. That mind that doesn't know is your true self. That's before thinking. When you keep a mind that is before thinking then there is no separation between you and the world.
....Zen Master Dae Bong
WEEKLY UPDATE
MON OCT 6 - SUN OCT 12 2025
Special Programs
Classes / Talks / Interviews / Groups
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TWO-DAY YMJJ RETREAT
OCTOBER 11 & 12
LED BY REBECCA OTTE, JDPSN
Registration closes Thursday 9 OCT
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.
TUESDAY 7 OCTOBER 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.
- 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 10 OCTOBER 7:30-8:30PM
Rebecca Otte, JDPSN will answer questions in person after an introductory talk by Ryan Friedman.
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.
Rebecca Otte, JDPSN began practicing Zen meditation in 1995, and received Inka (permission to teach) in December 2020. She is a founding member of Prairyerth Zen Center in Topeka, Kansas, where she lives with her husband, Ken. She is retired from her profession as a nurse midwife.
Ryan Friedman was a resident of CZC in 2019 and is currently a short-term resident. He is an initiated novice disciple in a lineage of Bhakti Devotional Yoga. He was a captain and special investigator in the US military where he identified and neutralized extremism, violent and economic crimes within the armed forces and US government. He’s certified and trained extensively in Yoga and trauma-informed yoga teacher training. Ryan has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Tufts University and is in his final semester of studies at the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy.
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.
UNPACKING WHITENESS /SOCIAL JUSTICE DIVERSITY INITIATIVE
WED 15 OCTOBER 8:15PM - 9:15 PM on Zoom.
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 9 OCTOBER 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 - Cancelled due to YMJJ Retreat
SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER 9:00-11:30 AM
Meeting ID 816 7973 3521
If you are new, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for brief instruction on our practice forms.
YOUNG ZEN - Cancelled due to YMJJ Retreat
SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER 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.
FUNDAMENTALS OF ZEN
SATURDAYS OCT 25 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
LED BY DYAN EAGLES, JDPSN
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81050648685
Learn the basics of Zen meditation and be introduced to its core teachings. Each class will begin with a short period of meditation followed by questions and discussion. You will learn how to apply Zen teachings to your everyday life.
Class is free; dana is appreciated. Register by emailing director@cambridgezen.org
Led by Zen Master Bon Yeon
SAT 1 NOVEMBER 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
A rare opportunity to experience a day of meditation, in a supportive environment with your peers. Taking a pause from our everyday lives can be a welcome relief bringing increased clarity and peacefulness. Click link for more info.
Held in silence, the retreat includes meditation instruction, sitting and walking meditation, chanting, a delicious vegetarian lunch and a personal kong-an interview.
CZC Open Mic Night
FRIDAY 17 OCT 8:30 PM
Do you have a talent that you've always wanted to share with other sangha members? Come show what you've got. Feel free to read poetry, sing, dance, or whatever other talents you have.
CZC Halloween Party
FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER 8:30 PM
Come for a spooky night of fun at the CZC. Enjoy some music, snacks, and some dancing. Don't forget to don your best costume and see if you have a chance at winning our costume contest!
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.
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.
Christian-Buddhist Retreat at Providence Zen Center Nov 15 Christian contemplation and Buddhist meditation practices use similar techniques as a way of returning to before thinking, to not-knowing. This retreat emphasizes sitting and walking meditation, and includes interfaith talks, interviews, and a Q&A.
7 Day YMJJ Retreat with Zen Master Soeng Hyang at Providence Zen Center.Practice traditional Korean intensive meditation, Yong Maeng Jong Jin (YMJJ), with Kwan Um Zen School Zen Master Soeng Hyang (Bobby Rhodes). 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.
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