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

Urban Sesshin: The Whole Works
Begins March 7
This year's urban sesshin, led by Rakushin Keely, is a chaplain-led immersive exploration on Dogen’s Shoji and Zenki – The Whole Works: Investigating Birth and Death, and Undivided Activity. Workshops are open to all.

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.

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.

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.

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]

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.
Newcomers' Meeting
Thursday, March 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.

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.

Zazenkai with Dharma Talk
Saturday, March 14
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.

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.
Upcoming Dharma Talks
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Feb 26th 5:30pm Fusatsu Ceremony and Precepts Talk by Bokushu Sensei
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Mar 5th 5:30pm Zazen and Dharma Talk by Tokuyu Sensei
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Mar 8th 9:30am Zazen and Dharma Talk by Soshin Sensei
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Mar 12th 5:30pm Zazen and Dharma Talk by Kojin
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Mar 14th 8:30am Zazenkai and Dharma Talk by Shinryu Roshi
Recorded Teacher Dharma Talks
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
Talk by Ryotan Roshi “Going Beyond in the Path of Letting Go”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOjElTmplAo Podcast audio:
Talk by Fusho Sensei, “How to Stay Calm in a Storm”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/PtCTX_4tHeI?si=uMlT4RhWlgJeGE2R Podcast Audio:
Talk by Shinryu Roshi “The Infinite Precepts”
https://youtu.be/9-Tp0Nu_5YM Podcast audio:
Recorded Senior Student Dharma Talks
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:
Talk by Mukei, “Facing the Wall: Engaged or Avoiding”
https://youtu.be/iEWzrNOFPwA?si=LUgwgI-GR_byz7hW Podcast Audio
