Oct 19 Zazenkai – Thanks!!!

We had a wonderfil day with large group at the Zazenkai, including two dear friends who traveled down from Vermont and New Hampshire. Here are a few impressions.

Three bowls with rice, vegetable stew, and salad are lined up on a tray, ready to eat.
Ready to eat lunch!
Three people in black robes sit deep in meditation, facing a wall.
Zazen / Sitting Zen
A food offering is placed on an altar as part of a ritual Zen meal (oryoki).
An oryoki meal starts with food being served on the altar.
A group photo of people, some of them dressed in black robes, smiling into the camera.
Group photo after a wonderful Fall Zazenkai.
Sitting alternates with walking meditation. Here is a picture of what that can look like.
Walking meditation during a day-long sit.

Oct 19 2025 – Fall Zazenkai

Mark your calendars for the 2025 Fall Zazenkai on Sunday Oct 19 2025, as usual from about 8 AM until about 4 PM. Bring your own mug.

It will include oryoki lunch, so if you have bowls, please bring them.

Zazenkai is an opportunity for an extended period of time for meditation.  The program will include periods of meditation, interviews with Soshin Sensei, service, and vegetarian lunch (Oryoki).  You are welcome to join for part or all of the day.  There is no fee for participating. and. any donation to the Dana bowl at Zazenkai is gratefully accepted.

Registration details were shared on the email list.

Also, we would love to sit with our friends and sangha-mates from all around the area.  We have comfortable guest rooms available for you to ease travel and spend the night. Please reach out!

May 18 – Spring Zazenkai w/ Ryotan Roshi

We’re excited to announce arrangements for a May Zazenkai with Ryotan Roshi.  It will take place in person only at our space at First Churches on Sunday May 18th. We’ll keep everyone in the loop via email.  If you’re interested in participating, don’t hesitate to reach out.

[Edit: May 18th is the date!]

[Edit: Registration details shared on the email list and below]

Register by Sunday May 11 by emailing  oxbowzensangha@gmail.com  with all the following information:

Name:
Email:
Phone:
Emergency contact and phone
Participation:  ___ Full Day;         ___Part of the day including lunch;           ___Part of the day NOT including lunch
Do you have any food allergies or preferences – e.g. nut allergies, vegan?
Do you have your own Oryoki set?  ___yes:  ___no
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns by emailing  oxbowzensangha@gmail.com.

Jan 19 2025 – Winter Zazenkai

[Edit Jan 5: Oryoki Lunch!]

You are warmly invited to an all-day “Depth of Winter” Zazenkai on January 19 2025.

If you’re coming from a distance and need a place to stay overnight, please reach out.

We’ll be serving Oryoki lunch.  If you have your own Oryoki bowls, please bring them.  A mug for tea would also be helpful.  Reach out with any questions! All are welcome!

To register, please email oxbowzensangha@gmail.com by January 15, so we can plan for lunch.  Include: whether you can join us for the whole day or part time, for lunch, and whether you need oryoki bowls.

Zazenkai is typically on the schedule for the first Sunday in Jan, Apr, Jun, and Oct:  In 2025, that’s Jan 19, Apr 6, Jun 1, and Oct 5 2025.

Oct 6 – Fall Zazenkai

You are warmly invited to an all-day “fall” Zazenkai on Sunday October 6.

For Oryoki, please bring your own lunch (does not have to fit into the usual 3 bowls).  We’ll be eating together in our seats in the Zendo in a modified oryoki container. A mug for tea would also be helpful.  Reach out with any questions! All are welcome!

To register, please email oxbowzensangha@gmail.com by Friday Oct 4.  Include: whether you can join us for the whole day or part time.

If you’re coming from a distance and need a place to stay overnight, please reach out.

Zazenkai is typically on the schedule for the first Sunday in Jan, Apr, Jun, and Oct:  In 2024, that’s Jan 7, Apr 7, Jun 2, and Oct 6 2024.

Zazenkai – April 14

You are warmly invited to an all-day “spring” Zazenkai on Sunday April 14.  It will include Oryoki lunch, so please plan to bring your bowls (if you have any).  A mug for tea would also be helpful.  More details to come via email.  All are welcome!

To register, please email oxbowzensangha@gmail.com by Friday 4/12/24.  Include: whether you can join us for the whole day or part time, if you will be having lunch, and if you need to borrow an oryoki set. We need a head count for meal planning.

If you’re coming from a distance and need a place to stay overnight, please reach out.

Zazenkai is typically on the schedule for the first Sunday in Jan, Apr, Jun, and Oct:  In 2024, that’s Jan 7, Apr 7, Jun 2, and Oct 6 2024.

Zazenkai – Jan 21

You are warmly invited to an all-day Zazenkai on Sunday, January 21.  It will include Oryoki lunch, so please plan to bring your bowls (if you have any).  A mug for tea would also be helpful.  More details to come via email.  All are welcome!   If your registration status changes, please let oxbowzensangha@gmail.com know by Jan 15.

Zazenkai dates in 2024: Sunday Jan 7, Apr 7, Jun 2, Oct 6 2024.

All-day Zazenkai: Sunday Oct 8 2023

You are warmly invited to an all-day Zazenkai on Sunday, October 8.  It will include Oryoki lunch, so please plan to bring your bowls (if you have any).  A mug for tea would also be helpful.  More details to come via email.  All are welcome!   To register, please email oxbowzensangha@gmail.com by Oct 1.

Zazenkai dates in 2024: Sunday Jan 7, Apr 7, Jun 2, Oct 6 2024.