The Village Zendo is a Zen community in the heart of downtown New York City. Serving as a sanctuary in busy Manhattan, we offer daily meditation, dharma talks, Buddhist services, retreats, workshops and study groups. Participation is open to all.
About Us
Teachers
Daily Schedule
Calendar
Support Us
Featured Retreats, Workshops & Events
Work for Dharma Day
Monday, May 20
On Monday, May 20, we’ll have an opportunity to express our appreciation on Work for Dharma Day, the Village Zendo’s annual Spring fundraiser. On this day, we join our efforts in support of an institution that provides us with an oasis of peace in a troubled and unstable world.
Daily Gathas: Workshop on the Gatha of Atonement
Saturday May 18
In this workshop, we will examine the Gatha of Atonement, which we chant each morning at Village Zendo retreats and at our monthly Fusatsu ceremony. This is the first of a series of workshops on Daily Gathas: verses we chant daily at the Village Zendo and on retreats.
Guest Speaker: Ejo Patrick McMullen
Thursday, May 23
Ejo Patrick McMullen, Abbot of Buddha Eye Zen Community Temple, will give a guest Dharma talk to the Village Zendo community. All are welcome to attend in person or online.
The Heart and Wisdom of Compassion
July 20 — August 4
Explore the heart of wisdom and compassion at two back-to back summer sesshins—July 20 through August 4th at Wisdom House in Litchfield, Connecticut. You may join us for part of a week, a whole week, or both weeks.
May Bulletin
Imagine an existence where nothing changed. An amorphous, undifferentiated blob. Gray, uniform. No movement, no space to move, no space to breathe. No breath. Just this purgatorial between—going nowhere, on and on, forever and ever the same... [read more]
Learn to Meditate (Online)
Every Monday, 6:30pm
For those new to Zen meditation or who have not practiced meditation in a zendo before. Recommendations for a comfortable, stable sitting posture are given, as well as guidance on how to begin a meditation practice and do walking meditation. There will be ample opportunity for Q & A.
People of Color Sitting Group
Every Saturday, 10:30am
Fusatsu Ceremony and Precepts Talk by Bokushu Sensei
Thursday, May 30
Body, Breath, and Mind: An Introduction to Zen
1st Sunday of the Month
Join us in person at the Village Zendo with Howard Thoresen, who will introduce Zen meditation and the other aspects of Village Zendo practice. There will be ample opportunity for Q & A.
Online Practice and Inquiry Circle
1st Sunday of the Month
Zazenkai
Saturday, May 11
We invite you to participate in Village Zendo’s zazenkai, a half-day retreat that will be held both online and in person. It will include ample periods of meditation, service, a Dharma talk, and conclude with open sozan.
Newcomers' Meeting
Thursday, June 13
Are you new to the Village Zendo online community? Would you like to get to know some of the teachers, meet other community members and ask questions informally? If so, please consider joining us for an open conversation on the second Thursday evening of every month.
Music Improv
Sunday, May 5
How do you translate Beginner’s Mind into sound? Easy. By listening. Harmonizing. Allowing space. We are all musicians whether we practice an instrument or not. This is a musical jam that welcomes all, from beginners to professionals.
A New Ongoing Group: Grace and Grit Support Group
Thursday, June 6
We will create a safe space where we all can discuss issues around aging. The group will be present for whatever comes up, actively listening and emotionally supporting all who speak. Please join us to explore these important issues we all may face, no matter our current age.
Path of Expression
Part Two Begins September 22
This year’s Path class, the Path of Expression, will be led by Fusho Hoshi and senior student Gessho, and will explore two of the traditional Zen arts: poetry and flower arranging, and will combine council-style dialogues and exercises with expressive practice with words and flowers.
Upcoming Dharma Talks
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May 16th 5:30pm Zazen and Dharma Talk by Musho Hoshi
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May 19th 9:30am Zazen and Dharma Talk by Jo An Sensei
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May 26th 9:30am Zazen and Dharma Talk by Mukei
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May 30th 5:30pm Fusatsu Ceremony and Precepts Talk by Bokushu Sensei
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Jun 6th 5:30pm Zazen and Dharma Talk by Tokuyu Sensei
Recorded Teacher Dharma Talks
Dharma talk by Enkyo Roshi, “Pick Up the Sack!”
Podcast Audio https://youtu.be/vtxB3vEug8o?si=nudDguZVfFSdXT7R
Talk by Shinryu Roshi “Settling Your Debts”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhyyPIxOV8o
Talk by Ryoshin Hoshi “Taking Care of Our Mind”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BWm7ed4L94
Dharma talk by Abbot Shinryu Roshi, “On Free Speech”
Podcast Audio https://youtu.be/ne_5zfl4ic0?si=UEMLg1YmZboifoGP
Dharma talk by Ryotan Roshi, “We Are All Koan Students”
Podcast Audio https://youtu.be/QXRQJVKg51w?si=yRxBUKOYZ5UFCuaX
Recorded Senior Student Dharma Talks
Talk by Gessho, “Poems Speaking to One Another”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/o7X3ef3FzJY?si=wfN3PxXaK2_TXX7l Podcast Audio:
Talk by Mukei “Finding Peace in the Flux of Life”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TzzJs8guv8
Talk by Yugetsu “Wading into Uji”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32POi7rmojo
Dharma talk by Kimu, “Words and Worries”
Podcast Audio https://youtu.be/yT7E-Fc_ugw?si=yeNxiseJDO_HFz-W
Talk by Soten “Legacies of Susan Ryoko Wetsel”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JdnYwk_o50
In the light of recent information regarding the COVID-19 delta variant and the CDC revised guidelines issued July 27, 2021, and having consulted with medical professionals in our community, the Village Zendo Executive Committee has concluded that it is prudent for the Village Zendo to return to our online only schedule, effective immediately. The dedication to practice and community demonstrated over the past many months gives us confidence that our sangha can meet this challenge and grow ever stronger. We will continue to monitor the situation and look forward to a full reopening at our new location at 260 West Broadway in January, 2022.