
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.
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Featured Retreats, Workshops & Events

Music Jam
First Sunday of Every Month
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.
Newcomers' Meeting
Thursday, June 8
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.

Zazenkai with Dharma Talk by Jo An Sensei
Saturday, June 10
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.

Village Zendo Picnic!
Sunday, June 11
Join us for a casual, potluck-style picnic on Sunday, June 11, after our morning zazen and Dharma Talk. We will be in Tribeca Park across from the Zendo from Noon to 3 pm. Bring your family and friends and a bite to share!

Summer Ango: 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.

Forms of Emptiness: What Is Your Understanding?
Saturday, June 17
Chanting connects us as we voice the Dharma together, in community. In this workshop, we explore the practice of chanting at Village Zendo. What are our chants? How do they resonate in our lives and in the world? And how can we engage more fully in chanting when we are at home and/or online?

June Bulletin
These are the days the helicopter seeds come whirling and shimmering down. From a distance, it looks like the air has come to life—a flashing cloud of glint and wink. Pollen, too, has been creating this illusion, great gusts of it pushed from out of the trees... [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.

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.

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.

Fusatsu with Precepts Talk by Shinryu Roshi
Thursday, June 22
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.

Bolivian Sitting Group
Every Saturday, 7:00am
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.
Upcoming Dharma Talks
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Jun 8th 5:30pm Zazen and Dharma Talk by Ryotan Roshi
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Jun 10th 8:30am Zazenkai with Dharma Talk by Jo An Sensei
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Jun 11th 9:30am Zazen and Dharma Talk by Shugo
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Jun 15th 5:30pm Zazen and Dharma Talk by Enkyo Roshi
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Jun 18th 9:30am Zazen and Dharma Talk by Joren
Recorded Teacher Dharma Talks
Talk by Tokuyu Sensei “I’m Afraid I Don’t Know”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBUZj8oyZpw Podcast Audio:
Dharma talk by Fusho Hoshi, “What Is a Bodhisattva?”
Podcast Audio
Recorded Senior Student Dharma Talks
Talk by HonGō “Struggling With Snakes”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9YBvom7OSQ Podcast audio:
Talk by Mukei “The Consequences of Helping Someone Up”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTad4N0mVro 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.