"Kwan Um" means "Perceive Sound". This means perceive your true self. At the same time, perceiving world sound means perceiving that many, many beings are suffering. If you can hear this sound of suffering, then helping is both possible and necessary. That is the Bodhisattva Way. Helping other beings is our practice and our job.
....Zen Master Seung Sahn
WEEKLY UPDATE
MON 20 APRIL - SUN 26 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 21 APRIL 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.
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
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND DIVERSITY INITIATIVE/ BIPOC GROUP
WEDNESDAY 6 MAY 5:00PM-6:30PM
IN PERSON ONLY
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).
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND DIVERSITY INITIATIVE / Unpacking Whiteness
WEDNESDAY 6 MAY 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.
Join URL: SJDI / 817 4548 4299
MEDITATION INSTRUCTION FOR NEWCOMERS
THURSDAY 23 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 23 APRIL 7:30 PM
Join URL: Dharma Talk / Meeting ID 876 2455 3876
Colin Beavan, JDPSN will answer questions after an introductory talk by Julia Barnes.
Julia Barnes. Julia is a Bronx native who moved to Boston in 2012 for college. She initially studied journalism, but after having an impromptu and transformative interpreting experience at church decided to major in American Sign Language. Since graduating with a Bachelor's degree in ASL, she works as a certified freelance sign language interpreter. She began practicing Zen in April 2023 and a few short months later moved into the CZC to dive right in. When she's not working, she can be found dancing, picking up a new language, or serving her royal feline, King.
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. Colin’s home temple is the Chogye International Zen Center, and he received Inka in April, 2022. He is a teacher-in-residence at CZC part-time.
SPRING SPRING SWAP & MAKE YOUR OWN MALA
FRIDAY 24 APRIL 8:30 PM
Got old clothes/ items you need to give a way? Join us for a swap night. Come make your own mala too! Reach out to Julia at jtbarnes820@gmail.com with questions.
LED BY ZEN MASTER BON HAENG, MARK HOUGHTON
SUNDAY 26 APRIL 6:15 AM OR 8:30 AM ENTRY
FOR MORE INFO EMAIL openmeadowzengroup@gmail.com
LED BY MARSHALL WHITE, JDPSN ON 9 & 10 MAY
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
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 26 APRIL 9:00 - 11:30 AM
Join Zoom URL: Sun Long Sitting / Meeting ID 816 7973 3521
Lorianne DiSabato, SDT will offer Consulting Interviews.
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.
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.
OPEN MIC NIGHT
FRIDAY 1 MAY 8:30 PM
We’re back at it again with another open mic night! On Fri May 1st at 8:30 pm we’ll be having a night of fun. Share your talents by yourself, with a friend or join the group in some fun improv. Reach out to Julia at jtbarnes820@gmail.com with questions.
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
Kido Chanting Zen Retreat - Diamond Hill Monastery, Providence Zen Center
Saturday 18 April 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
led by Nancy Hedgpeth, JDPSN
Join us in the meditative practice of chanting 'Kwan Seum Bosal," the Korean name of the Bodhisattva of compassion. The practice of sound meditation opens our hearts to witness the cries of the world, and helps us embody the Bodhisattva vow to save all sentient beings from suffering.
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