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
Calendar
Daily Schedule
Teachers
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Featured Retreats, Workshops & Events

January Bulletin
I don’t know what to say. There are moments in life when it feels like that—like anything you say will inevitably fall short. I seem to remember a Fusatsu talk about “non-lying” many years ago in which Enkyo Roshi mentioned that this precept also included not saying anything at all... [read more]

The Path of the Precepts
Begins Sunday, February 22
The 2026 class will center on the Bodhisattva Precepts, the core existential and ethical values in Zen. Meeting monthly over nine Sundays, the Path will combine study materials with exercises for personal reflection, dialogue, and council-style collective expression. Everyone is welcome.

Grace and Grit Support Group
1st Thursdays
A safe space where 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.
Music Improv
Sunday, February 8
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 improvisation that welcomes all, from beginners to professionals.
Newcomers' Meeting
Thursday, February 12
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.

Learn to Meditate (Online)
Monday Evenings
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.

January Bulletin
When you become a parent, it’s easy to come to the conclusion that your life is no longer your own. It’s all about the kid now, everything. Your life as you know it, that’s a thing of the past. And there is some truth to this. Life will indeed never be the same... [read more]

People of Color Sitting Group
Saturday Mornings
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.

Bolivian Sitting Group
Saturday Mornings
You are invited to join Village Zendo’s affiliated Bolivian sangha every Saturday morning. We will sit two periods of zazen, with an optional stretch break between, in the same fashion as online sitting at the Village Zendo.

Online Practice and Inquiry Circle
1st Sundays
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.

Body, Breath and Mind: An Introduction to Zen
1st Sundays
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.

Fustatsu and Precepts Talk by Bokushu Sensei
Thursday, February 26
Fusatsu is our way of acknowledging that we are not separate from all the harm and disharmony in our world and that our practice should naturally lead to us to ethical action. In the latter part of the ceremony, the officiant gives a Dharma talk focussing on the Zen precepts of ethical conduct.
Upcoming Dharma Talks
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Feb 5th 5:30pm Zazen and Dharma Talk by Ryotan Roshi
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Feb 8th 9:30am Zazen and Dharma Talk by Soten
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Feb 12th 5:30pm Zazen and Dharma Talk by Kenko
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Feb 14th 8:30am Zazenkai and Dharma Talk by Ryugin
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Feb 15th 9:30am Zazen and Dharma Talk by Ryoshin Hoshi
Recorded Teacher Dharma Talks
Talk by Shinryu Roshi “The Infinite Precepts”
https://youtu.be/9-Tp0Nu_5YM Podcast audio:
Talk by Bokushu Sensei “Tunnel Exit Street”
https://youtu.be/vO96dt62_7w Podcast audio:
Talk By Ryotan Roshi “Moment to Moment Non-Stop Flow”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVRYZwBn6GU Podcast audio:
Talk by Fusho Sensei “Birth and Death Are The Great Matter”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDYGzYbSsIY Podcast audio:
Talk by Daishi “The Tail That Won’t Pass Through: Undivided Activity and a Freedom That Doesn’t Fix”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvBHEpj4dNo Podcast audio:
Recorded Senior Student Dharma Talks
Talk by Mukei, “Facing the Wall: Engaged or Avoiding”
https://youtu.be/iEWzrNOFPwA?si=LUgwgI-GR_byz7hW Podcast Audio
Talk by Jiryu, “AI OMG!”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/XrUjA4mvomc?si=m5ex630k3iO-w7Zg Podcast Audio:
Talk by Jisei “PRACTICE- STEP BY STEP in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES”
https://youtu.be/YyawtlpHjEM Podcast audio:
Talk by Joren “See the Moment for What It Is”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqDumS13Sp4 Podcast Audio:
Talk by Mukei “Enlightenment – What does it look like?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYklquaoMkg Podcast audio:
