
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

Summer Ango 2023: The Heart and Wisdom of Compassion
July 23 - August 6
Explore the heart of wisdom and compassion at two back-to back summer sesshins—July 23 through August 6 at Wisdom House in Litchfield, Connecticut. You may join us for part of a week, a whole week, or both weeks.

Fusatsu with Precepts Talk by Ryotan Roshi
Thursday, March 23
Join us for Fusatsu, a ceremony of repentance or atonement. It is our way of acknowledging that we are not separate from all the harm and disharmony in our world. The ceremony will be followed by a Dharma talk focussing on the Zen precepts of ethical conduct.

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
Practice and Inquiry Circle explores in real time the Zen Peacemaker Precepts of Not Knowing, Bearing Witness and Compassion in Action. A theme is presented as an avenue of inquiry and participants are invited into dialogue.
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.

Sorting Out Our Stuff
Every Tuesday
The group’s purpose is to support one another in cleaning up and clearing out whatever needs our attention, and whatever it might be. A will? a closet? a file cabinet? a relationship? Let’s handle it, with the knowledge that “time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost.”
People of Color Sitting Group
Every Saturday, 10:30am
The People of Color Sitting Group aims to embody the three tenets by being a sanctuary for People of Color to study, support and discuss how in a system (society) of oppression and racial bias we can create a community where we recognize our interdependence.
Newcomers' Meeting
Select Thursdays
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.

Bolivian Sitting Group
Every Saturday, 8:00am
You are invited to join Village Zendo’s affiliated Bolivian sangha, Phajjsi Qollut Jalsu Zen Center, every Saturday from 7:00am to 8:00 am. No Spanish-language proficiency required.

VZ Book Discussion: Opening to Oneness
Rescheduled
Roshi Nancy Mujo Baker will join us for an online discussion of her new book, Opening to Oneness. In Opening to Oneness, Zen teacher Nancy Baker offers a detailed path of practice for Zen students planning to take the precepts and for anyone, Buddhist or non-Buddhist, interested in deepening their personal study of ethical living.
Upcoming Dharma Talks
-
Mar 26th 9:30am Zazen and Dharma Talk by Jo An Sensei
-
Mar 30th 5:30pm Zazen and Dharma Talk by Mukei
-
Apr 6th 5:30pm Zazen and Dharma Talk by HonGo
-
Apr 9th 9:30am Zazen and Dharma Talk by Soshin Sensei
-
Apr 13th 5:30pm Zazen and Dharma Talk by Ryotan Roshi
Recorded Teacher Dharma Talks
Dharma talk by Fugan Sensei, “Birth, Death and Living”
Podcast Audio
Talk by Myoko Roshi “Purpose and Pain”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb-F83w-hrA Podcast audio:
Talk by Ryotan Roshi “R-E-S-P-E-C-T”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGrQG5Tt5fA Podcast Audio:
Recorded Senior Student Dharma Talks
Dharma talk by Yugetsu, “Have a Good Day”
Podcast Audio
Dharma talk by Mukei, “Zazen: Hard, Easy or Not?”
Podcast Audio
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.