
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

Zazenkai with Dharma Talk by JoAn Hoshi
Saturday, October 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.

Full Service with Liturgy Training
1st and 3rd Wednesday of Every Month
On the first and third Wednesday of every month, the Village Zendo will have a full service with liturgy training. The service at 6:00 will be in-person only and followed by three periods of zazen starting at 6:30 p.m. as usual. The service will NOT be streamed online, so please consider joining us in person.

Music Jam
Sunday, October 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 jam that welcomes all, from beginners to professionals.
Newcomers' Meeting
Thursday, October 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.

Four Vows Workshop: Mastering Dharmas
Saturday, October 21
In this four part workshop series, we’ll delve into each of the four vows in turn, examining what they mean to us, and how they work in our lives. The workshops are an intimate and experiential journey into our own life and practice, giving each of us an opportunity to renew our vows as Bodhisattvas.
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.
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.

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.”

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
-
Oct 5th 5:30pm Zazen and Dharma Talk by Soten
-
Oct 8th 9:30am Zazen and Dharma Talk by Fusho
-
Oct 12th 5:30pm Zazen and Dharma Talk by Yugetsu
-
Oct 14th 8:30am Zazenkai and Dharma Talk by Jo An Sensei
-
Oct 15th 9:30am Zazen and Dharma Talk by Ryoshin
Recorded Teacher Dharma Talks
Talk by Abbott Kosai Ikeda “Practicing The Buddha Way Wherever and Whenever”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AUwk_V0EKA Podcast Audio:
Talk by Daishi Hoshi “Baba Wawa”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjF8_PJC5w4 Podcast Audio:
Dharma talk by Myoko Roshi, “Where Is the Path?”
Podcast Audio https://youtu.be/SeCTI6lQ45I?feature=shared
Talk by Enkyo Roshi “Being a Melon”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMEkE9VlTQI Podcast audio:
Recorded Senior Student Dharma Talks
Dharma talk by Kenko, “Potatoes in the Thunderstorm”
Podcast Audio https://youtu.be/T1Od544tUlY?feature=shared
Dharma talk by Musho, “Sitting with Small Self”
Podcast Audio https://youtu.be/yWTS5np9QEI?feature=shared
Dharma talk by Yugetsu, “Dead or Alive?”
Podcast Audio https://youtu.be/1MJ-ikz21m4?feature=shared
Dharma talk by Shugo, “Bagels and Pedestrians Sutra”
Podcast Audio https://youtu.be/prIgfNFZQrI
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.