BULLETIN
May 2025
Central Park Newly Renovated Conservancy Gardens
“There are those who cannot free themselves, because they are bound by things. But nothing can ever win against Heaven—that’s the way it’s always been. What would I have to resent?”
—Chuang Tzu
Dear Sangha,
Today I realized that we are in the midst of that rarest and most precious of seasons here in the northeast—beautiful summery weather, yet no mosquitoes. This will not last long. In fact, a week or two ago, I saw a whole swarm of them: newly born, confused, floating about, uncertain what they were supposed to be doing with themselves. I don’t think they’d learned to bite yet. Anyway, I’m pretty sure a frost took care of those ones. But I know it won’t be long now till the little suckers are back, making my yard semi-uninhabitable and doing their best to ruin summer—and our general good time.
I mention this because, well, it’s always something: mosquitoes, allergies, papercuts, stubbed toes, old age, sickness, death. Those uninterrupted moments of true peace and happiness in life that we all long for: I’m not so sure they really exist, at least not in the flawless form we imagine. I am reminded of an anecdote about Suzuki Roshi I read somewhere. He was giving a talk, I guess, and he said something along the lines of, “All of the problems you’re experiencing now…” and then he paused, and everyone listening sort of assumed he was going to say, “will go away”—but instead he finished his statement by saying the opposite: “…will continue for the rest of your lives.”
I think everyone listening laughed, which is, I think, the appropriate response. But in a strange way, this realization is almost kind of a relief—oh, this is life, and it’s never really gonna be any other way. Finally, you can just sort of release all those dreams of what could be, and relax instead into what actually is: this fucked up, beautiful, tragicomic, perfectly imperfect life.
With gratitude, I guess, for even the mosquitoes…
Taylor Plimpton
Editor
MAY CALENDAR
Thursday, May 1: Zazen and Dharma Talk by Kenko
Sunday, May 4: Online: Practice and Inquiry Circle with Joshin Roshi
In-Person: Body, Breath, Mind, Intro to Zen with Howard
Monday, May 5: Work for Dharma Day
Thursday, May 8: Zazen and Dharma Talk by HonGo
Newcomers Meeting, 6:40 pm
Saturday, May 10: Zazenkai with Dharma Talk by Bokushu Sensei
Sunday, May 11: Zazen and Dharma Talk by Kenzen
Online: The Path of Expression:
Writing as Practice, 1:30 pm
In-Person: Music Improv, 4 pm
Thursday, May 15: Zazen and Dharma Talk by Shinryu Roshi
Sunday, May 18: Zazen and Dharma Talk by Mukei
Thursday, May 22: Fusatsu Ceremony, precepts talk by Myoko Roshi
Sunday, May 25: Zazen and Dharma Talk by Jisei
Monday, May 26: Zendo closed
Thursday, May 29: Zazen and Dharma Talk by Ryugin
_____________________________________
ONGOING GROUPS
The Bolivian Sitting Group meets online Saturdays: 8 am
Bolivia Zoom Meeting ID: 297 525 8394; Password: 1234
The People of Color Sitting Group meets online Saturdays: 10:30 am
How to Meditate meets Monday evenings online: 6:30 pm
Sorting Out Your Stuff meets online Tuesdays: 10 am
Liturgy Training: In-Person
1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month: 6 pm
Grace and Grit meets online, first Thursday of each month at 3 pm
May 5 is Work for Dharma Day!
Dear Friends and Sangha Members,
In the troubled uncertainty of recent years, the Village Zendo has served as a constant anchor for our lives and practice. Whether we are able to step off a cobbled street in Lower Manhattan to enter our beautiful Zendo space or, living far from the city, whether we enter “Village Zendo” in our browsers and participate online, our lives are enriched by the opportunity to practice with a community of likeminded seekers.
This Spring, as in years past, we will have the opportunity to join together as a community to support our community. Monday, May 5, is Work for Dharma Day, the Village Zendo’s annual Spring fundraiser. On Work for Dharma Day, we are asked to donate all or a portion of what we earn for the day to the Village Zendo as a way of expressing our appreciation for its nearly 40 years of teaching, practice, and lively expression of the Dharma.
Is the Village Zendo making a positive difference in your life? Do you participate in morning or evening sitting? Do you listen to Dharma Talks? Do you see Village Zendo teachers in private interview? Do you enjoy Village Zendo programs and workshops such as the Path Class, the POC group, and “Grace with Grit”?
If the Village Zendo has enriched your life in these and other ways, please consider working for the Dharma on May 5 and making a generous contribution. Although we lead different lives and engage in different lines of work, all of us can take this opportunity to support our community’s practice to the best of our ability. Donations of any size are gratefully accepted here. If you prefer, you can mail a donation to Village Zendo, 260 West Broadway #1G, New York, NY 10013.
We’ve been through a lot together in these difficult and unsettling times. With your support, the Village Zendo will provide an oasis of peace and stability for many years to come.
Yours in the Dharma,

The Village Zendo Executive Committee
TRUE EXPRESSIONS
Creative Contributions from the Village Zendo community:

Photo by Taylor Plimpton
The Family Tree
By Adam Seido Levy
About fifty years ago, in spring, the dogwood tree in my parents’ backyard bloomed.
It bloomed every year, of course, but this year was different.
I stood in the grass in front of the tree and for the first time in my life, I really saw it. My younger sister was standing next to me, and she saw it, too.
What a beautiful tree, I said, I’ve never seen flowers so white, like clouds, and so thin, like paper.
What a beautiful tree, my sister said, but the branches need pruning.
VILLAGE ZENDO ANNUAL MEETING FOR 2024
REPORT — A TIME OF TRANSITION
The Annual Meeting was held on Zoom, Saturday, April 12, from 4 to 6 pm.
The meeting began with a short period of Zazen.
The Executive Committee wishes to apologize to those Village Zendo members who celebrate Passover for the unfortunate timing of the meeting.
Howard Thoresen, the Executive Director, began by introducing the members of the Executive Committee: Howard, Shinryu Roshi, Enkyo Roshi, Joshin Roshi, Ryotan Roshi, Myoko Roshi, Tokuyu Sensei, Bokushu Sensei, and Fusho Sensei. Howard reviewed some of the events of 2024, including greater in-person participation and the developing of our extended online community.
The most significant Zendo event of 2024 was the transition in leadership, when Roshi Enkyo O’Hara retired from the position of Abbot—“descending the mountain”—and Shinryu Roshi “ascended the mountain,” officially becoming the Zendo’s second Abbot, in the Shisanshiki Ceremony on June 16.
Shinryu Roshi thanked our founders, Roshis Enkyo and Joshin, for all they have done over the years, guiding us, steering us, training us, making it possible for this moment of promise. Fusho and Bokushu have joined the Executive Committee, our membership has increased (a record 15 people became Formal Students at the Tangaryo in March), the online community continues to develop, and the physical space continues to be refurbished. Shinryu spoke about the changes going on in the country and world at large, and his feeling that community is now more important than ever. Our internal practice is what we need to meet these external challenges.
Joshin Roshi, in her capacity as the Zendo Treasurer, reported that she felt we could say for the first time that the Zendo has come into a position of financial stability. Through member dues, workshops, retreats, donations, annual fundraisers, investments, the dana bowl in our lobby, and the effect of our reduced rent, we can cover our expenses for some time going forward. Joshin cautioned that as good Buddhists we know that the only reality is change, and that there will undoubtedly be challenges in the future.
Ryotan Roshi reported that through 2024 our membership was more-or-less stable, but in the first quarter of 2025 it has grown substantially. We now have 128 members, which breaks down to 27 senior members, 32 distance members, and 69 members who are located 50 miles or closer to the Zendo. Ryotan gave tribute to MyoGetsu, who has been the backbone of the membership operation for many years. She is stepping down, and Kojin, our webmaster, will take on these duties.
All the practice and other activities of the Zendo are made possible by volunteer openers, hosts, altar and flower arrangers, tech jishas, instructors, speakers, and celebrants, both in-person and online; and all these participants have to be scheduled. Shinryu schedules the in-person staffing, and Eko, who was unable to attend, handles the online schedule. Ryoshin organizes the speakers. Shinryu thanked the in-person volunteers and Jisei praised Eko and the online hosts. She feels that over the year, online support has developed to a point where it is running smoothly. We are grateful to all for their continued service.
Kojin reported that website traffic is consistently high with a 40% increase in viewers in the 18-to-24-year age range. The website calendar, webpages, registration, talks, and instructional materials are meticulously maintained by Kojin and the web team.
Mukei reported that the People of Color group has been meeting online for eight years, with members throughout the US, Canada, and Europe. Mukei stressed that the POC group includes people who are Black, Brown, Asian, and Indigenous. POC practice includes zazen, counsel, and recently added book discussions. A number of folks have said that they felt very grateful for having a safe space where they can come to sit and practice. Mukei also represents the VZ on the Buddhist Council of NY; he is currently leading a Bearing Witness retreat for the Zen Peacemakers.
Enkyo Roshi has stepped down from the Abbot seat, but she is active in the governance of the Zendo through the EC. She leads morning in-person practice at the Zendo and periodically gives talks. She spoke about the importance of showing up, of maintaining the sangha both online and in person, and of practicing service to the Zendo and the greater community.
Tokuyu Sensei spoke about the upcoming summer retreat at Wisdom House, from July 19 to August 3. Myoko spoke about the importance of practicing together on retreat, and of taking time away from the busy-ness and stress of our daily lives.
For many years Roshis Joshin and Enkyo led the Path Class, a year-long monthly group that explored a theme or teaching. This class was an important opportunity for sangha members to get to know each other in a process different from our formal practice. Last year, Fusho and Kenzen/Gessho took over the class, teaching poetry and flower-arranging. This year, Kenzen/Gessho and Seiryu are leading the Path of Expression: Writing as Practice.
Fusho Sensei announced a new website celebrating Pioneering Women in Zen Buddhism. We received a grant to produce this website and it is now live — https://www.zenwomenpioneers.org/home. The pilot project is a profile of Enkyo Roshi. We filmed a short interview with her and created a photo gallery along with a library of some of her collected talks and interviews. The site was created by The Women in Zen Working Group at Village Zendo. The Women in Zen Working Group was formed in 2024 by Traven Fusho Rice, Jean Yugetsu Carlomusto, Sarah Joren Drury, Sal Kenzen Randolph and Ara Fitzgerald, all longtime VZ members.
The meeting ended with Junpo speaking about his experience of joining the Zendo, attending the online Learn-to-Meditate meetings for some time, and then joining in wholehearted practice. Enmei spoke about her experience as a long-distance member. Both speakers expressed gratitude for the Zendo’s inclusive environment which supports their practice and sense of community.
Summer Ango Retreat, July 19 – August 3
IN PERSON ONLY
Summer Ango Retreat
Wisdom House in Litchfield, Connecticut
Explore the heart of wisdom and compassion at two back-to back summer sesshins—July 19 through August 3—at Wisdom House in Litchfield, Connecticut.
You may join us for part of a week, a whole week, or both weeks.
In-person and online practice at our location in Tribeca will continue throughout this period. For those not able to attend the retreat, please remember that Ango can be a time of intensifying our practice in the midst of our ordinary daily lives of coming and going to work, our families and relations. This is a time when we personally commit to more zazen, study, and other practices, such as clear awareness of our interaction with others and attentiveness to the precepts.
For Information and to Register, click HERE
REFLECTIONS
The Year of Small Annoyances
a poem by Taylor Plimpton
There are great tragedies afoot,
And small ones, too:
The way all the potato chips
In that freshly opened bag
Are broken,
The way you stubbed your toe.
And what about the way the dog is barking, shrilly,
To go outside into the slush and freezing rain?
Or the way the bath you drew ended up lukewarm?
Or the fact you trudged out to the car
But forgot to bring the keys?
It is a new year and nothing is really that terrible
(Although actually it kind of is)
But also nothing is really that great,
And everything feels just a little bit off.
The star on the top of your Christmas tree is lopsided
The refrigerator smells a little bit
And you don’t know why
Life’s just not that easy sometimes
Your football team loses
The bananas are bruised
Your left ear is clogged
And you can’t hear anything
Not that there’s anything you really want to hear
The slippers for your spouse were too small
The robot for your kid wouldn’t turn on
No one cares about anything
Nothing really works the way it’s supposed to
And you can’t blame anyone else
You feel the same way
Like what’s the point
Like everything you were taught mattered really doesn’t
And you’re trying to figure out what does
And it’s not clear
Nothing is
Except for the tiny, exquisite pain
Of these paper-cut inconveniences
We communicate in three places online:
our email list, a Facebook page, and a Groups.io list
where we share events and information among the whole
Sangha. Explore these various ways of staying connected and
up to date here: https://villagezendo.org/connect-with-us/
Editor: Taylor Plimpton
Editor Emerita: Nina Shuka Klippel
Managing Editor/ Design & Production: Howard Thoresen

DONATE HERE
In these trying times, the Village Zendo still relies on your support.
If you are able, please make a donation.
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