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
Support Us
Featured Retreats, Workshops & Events

Jukai: Receiving the Precepts
Friday, March 20
Are you curious about the precepts and taking Jukai This will be a wonderful opportunity for anyone considering taking Jukai this summer to ask questions and to get an in-depth introduction into what is involved with taking this important step.

Timeless Wisdom, Timely Action
Saturday, March 21
The Buddhist Council of New York invites all to explore how the Dharma informs compassionate action beyond temple walls—through humanitarian work, military chaplaincy, social service, and community engagement.

Fustatsu and Precepts Talk by Ryotan Roshi
Thursday, March 26
Fusatsu is a practice of recognizing our connection to the world’s suffering and renewing our commitment to ethical action. The evening will include a Dharma talk on the Zen precepts.

March Bulletin
It’s such an unusual state for the city to be in, when a great snow falls. For once everything is pristine, unmarked. The past, the present, the future—all of it has been erased. There are no footprints yet. Just this stillness, this giant hush.... [read more]

Learn to Meditate (Online)
Monday Evenings
For those new to Zen meditation or who have not practiced meditation in a zendo before. This session offers guidance on posture, seated and walking meditation, with time for Q&A.

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.

Zazenkai with Dharma Talk by Mukei
Saturday, April 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.

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.

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.
Newcomers' Meeting
Thursday, April 9
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.

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.
Upcoming Dharma Talks
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Mar 19th 5:30pm Zazen and Dharma Talk by Jiryu
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Mar 22nd 9:30am Zazen and Dharma Talk by Kenzen
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Mar 26th 5:30pm Fusatsu Ceremony and Precepts Talk by Ryotan Roshi
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Mar 29th 9:30am Zazen and Dharma Talk by Yugetsu
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Apr 2nd 5:30pm Zazen and Dharma Talk by Musho Hoshi
Are you new to the Village Zendo?
Welcome to our community – we’re delighted to practice with you! We’ve created several events that should be of particular interest to you – please check out these programs, ask us questions and tell us what you think!
Online
Learn to Meditate
Every Monday via Zoom
6:30pm Eastern Time
If you’re new to Zen meditation or curious to learn more about Zen practice, join us any Monday evening a few minutes before 6:30pm – no reservation necessary. 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 you to ask questions.
Online & In Person
Newcomers’ Meeting
Second Thursday of Each Month
6:40pm (Following the Dharma talk and chanting service)
Are you new to the Village Zendo community? Would you like to get to know some of the teachers, meet other community members and ask questions informally? If so, please join us for this open conversation where a wide range of practice-related topics is addressed. No reservation is needed, though we encourage you to attend the Dharma talk and service that precede this meeting.
Online & In Person
Newcomers’ Meeting
Second Thursday of Each Month
6:40pm (Following the Dharma talk and chanting service)
Are you new to the Village Zendo community? Would you like to get to know some of the teachers, meet other community members and ask questions informally? If so, please join us for this open conversation where a wide range of practice-related topics is addressed. No reservation is needed, though we encourage you to attend the Dharma talk and service that precede this meeting.
In Person
Body, Breath, and Mind: An Introduction to Zen
First Sunday of Every Month
9:30am – 11:00am
Village Zendo Executive Director Howard Thoreson introduces Zen meditation and explains other aspects of practice at VZ. Sitting posture, sustaining a meditation practice and walking meditation (kinhin) are discussed, and short periods of meditation are also included here. Emphasis is placed on finding ease in practice, on the significance of practicing with a community and on working with the Village Zendo teachers. There will be ample opportunity for Q & A.
“When we practice zazen, our mind always follows our breathing. When we inhale, air comes into the inner world. When we exhale, air goes out to the outer world. The inner world is limitless, and the outer world is limitless. We say ‘inner world’ or ‘outer world,’ but actually there is just one whole world. In this limitless world, our throat is like a swinging door. The air comes in and goes out, like someone passing through a swinging door.”
Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind
“The Village Zendo has made a profound difference in my life and the lives of many others. It is a welcoming group that balances serious practice with great joy and fun. Come to learn to meditate, stay to change your life.”
“Profound authentic Zen practice in a welcoming environment. Great experienced teachers and senior students. Beautiful quiet meditation daily. On Sunday’s and Thursday evening there are interesting contemporary Dharma talks. Beginning instruction is every Monday evening. The are cool events, workshops and activities that support a lively community.”
“My spiritual home for 30 years and I’m still amazed at the depth, warmth, intelligence and creativity of teachers and students alike. And more teachers per capita probably than any sangha around!”
“Similar to other reviewers, I live quite a distance from the Village Zendo. I, nonetheless, am a member and formal student of VZ. I find the community welcoming, vibrant, diverse and deeply intentional. Led by Enkyo Roshi, our teachers are engaged, astute, open, available… true mentors and practice leaders. VZ retreats and programs are powerful, challenging, transformative. I am so grateful for and to this sangha! Belonging to the VZ community is well-worth the logistics of my living at a distance.”
Recorded Teacher Dharma Talks
Talk by Soshin Hoshi, “Painting the Reality Body”
Podcast Audio:
Talk by Tokuyu Sensei “What’s Going On?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r77AQBpkOb8 Podcast audio:
Talk by Bokushu Sensei “Cosmic Accounting and the 8th Precept”
https://youtu.be/pk-Mol8eaF8 Podcast audio:
Talk by Daishi Hoshi “Renunciation and the Backward Step of Zen”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P07v2m6uOU Podcast audio:
Talk by Ryoshin Hoshi, “Three Essentials of Zen Practice”
https://youtu.be/CtVQNZtyHb4?si=1teogHIg8idp_nCC Podcast Audio
Recorded Senior Student Dharma Talks
Talk by Kojin “This Messy, Imperfect, Birth-and-Death Life”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PTyRdETVRg Podcast audio:
Talk by Torei “The Vast, Wondrous Light”
https://youtu.be/LUoVFM8xmaY Podcast audio:
Talk by Ryugin “Why Does the Camel Never Drink the Water?”
https://youtu.be/LH0z4o7hoa0 Podcast audio:
Talk by Kenko, “The Sangha Takes Refuge in Me”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/ltosJWULznI?si=we9wFEh0RYtE_BuE Podcast Audio:
Talk by Soten, “Swinging Jianshan’s Sword”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/42ihEcDkq24?si=_V13Uywe5_2JqWqA Podcast Audio:
