“So the teaching that 'Zen is your everyday life,' it’s a great starting point, it’s something you can really hang your hat on. Then, over the years, it really starts to sink in that this is it. Things are already complete as they are, just doing the laundry is a complete experience. Just doing the dishes. Already, one by one, everything is complete.”
....Matt Keeler, JDPSN
WEEKLY UPDATE
MON 7 JULY - SUN 13 JULY 2025
To join in person, visit the Guidelines for our health and safety protocols. All times are Eastern Standard Time.
Special Programs
Classes / Talks / Interviews / Groups
CHECK OUT OUR NEW FACEBOOK PAGE & follow us!
TWO-DAY YMJJ RETREAT at CZC
LED BY MATT KEELER, JDPSN ON JULY 12 & 13 2025
Registration closes Thursday, July 10th.
YONG MAENG JONG JIN (YMJJ) MEANS “TO LEAP LIKE A TIGER WHILE SITTING.” RETREATS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN OUR PRACTICE, TO PERCEIVE MORE CLEARLY AND ACT FROM OUR NATURAL COMPASSION AND WISDOM.
DHARMA TALK - THURSDAY 10 JULY 7:30-8:30PM
Join this event over Zoom: Meeting ID 876 2455 3876
Dharma talks give you an opportunity to ask questions you might have about Buddhism, Zen teachings, or the connection between Zen meditation and daily life. This event is followed by refreshments and social time.
Matthew Keeler, JDPSN will answer questions after an introductory talk by Veronique Struis, Dharma Teacher in Training.
Matt Keeler, JDPSN began practicing Zen meditation in the late 80’s and was a resident of the Chogye International Zen Center in New York for 7 years. He received inka from Zen Master Wu Kwang at the Providence Zen Center in April 2017. Matt directed the Family Program at the Redding Center for Mindfulness and Insight Meditation in CT for 7 years. He currently teaches at Kwan Um Zen Centers in the Northeast US and is the Guiding Teacher of the Pittsburgh Zen Center. Matt is a Special Ed paraprofessional at Staples High School in Westport CT and a musician in the Greater NYC area. He previously worked as a math and science teacher. His interests include Yoga, Chi-gung, Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication, and building community. Matt lives in Ridgefield, CT with his 21 year old son.
Veronique Struis is a Dharma Teacher in Training in the Kwan Um School of Zen. She began her practice at Cambridge Zen Center and was a resident twelve years ago. She returned to the Netherlands, her home country, and continued her practice with Kwan Um Zen Online. She has volunteered with the European Sangha since 2018 and was the European Director from 2021-2024. She lives with her family in the Boston suburbs.
TUESDAY COMMUNITY DINNER at 5:30 PM
Come early and join us for a delicious vegetarian dinner with a $10 suggested donation followed by chanting at 6:30PM prior to the standard Tuesday Long Sitting.
TUESDAY 8 JULY 7:30-9:30 PM
Join URL: Tuesday Zoom Meditation Practice / Meeting ID: 858 3084 3540
Francisco Irby, Senior Dharma Teacher will offer Consulting Interviews. There will be three sitting periods of 30 minutes.
* Note: interviews may begin at 7:00 pm.
- 7:30-8:00pm Sitting (interviews begin) - 8:00-8:10pm Walking
- 8:10-8:40pm Sitting - 8:40-8:50pm Walking
- 8:50-9:20pm Sitting - 9:20-9:30pm Heart Sutra, Great Dharani, 4 Great Vows
If you are new, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for brief instruction on our practice forms.
UNPACKING WHITENESS /SOCIAL JUSTICE DIVERSITY INITIATIVE
WED 16 JULY 8:15PM - 9:15 PM
Meeting ID: 81745484299
(1st & 3rd Wednesdays on Zoom)
In these one hour meetings, we join together to talk about race and dharma practice, and examine how white privilege operates as we examine the question "What Am I?" The group is currently working with Composting Our Karma: Turning Confusion into Lessons for Awakening Our Innate Wisdom by Barbara Rhodes, Zen Master Soeng Hyang. We use three passages from the book followed by questions to guide our discussion. There is no need to purchase the book, the passages for discussion are posted in the zoom chat. We welcome new members - no experience necessary. Inquiries are presented and facilitated by Senior Dharma Teacher Jennifer Magrone, who brings over ten years of professional experience with addressing how bias and identity oppression operate. If you are curious - please join us!
BIPOC GROUP
WED 9 JULY 5:00-6:30 PM
In these 90 minute sessions, we explore practices that link to our various experiences of belonging and otherness, as well as our interest in social, racial, and environmental justice. Our group is especially interested in engaged Buddhism, and our practices will emphasize sitting meditation alongside diverse other forms of practice, both within and outside of these weekly meetings. Our aim is to cultivate solidarity in engaged practice and build community.
All those who identify as BIPOC are welcome to join our practice sessions. Please contact kfoo (kaephu@proton.me) with questions or to join our list! We will meet in the Alternate Dharma Room.
MEDITATION INSTRUCTION FOR NEWCOMERS
THURSDAY 10 JULY 6:45-7:30PM
This introduction to meditation is offered weekly in person for those new to Cambridge Zen Center or meditation practice. Highly recommended for new students prior to attending a practice session. Your questions will be answered and you are welcome to repeat sessions. Meditation Instruction is in person.
ELDER ZEN SATURDAY 19 JULY 11 AM-12:30PM
How does Zen Buddhist practice relate to our experiences of aging? Join us in a supportive community at the Cambridge Zen Center to explore this question through meditation and discussion. We will begin with 20 minutes of sitting meditation, followed by a group discussion of a pertinent topic … then refreshments! All are welcome, and instruction is available for people who are new to meditation. RSVP by email to director@cambridgezen.org
SUNDAY LONG SITTING - Cancelled due to YMJJ Retreat
SUNDAY 13 JULY 9:00-11:30 AM
Meeting ID 816 7973 3521
You may join the Zoom meeting at 9:00 AM or 9:30-9:40 and 10:10-10:20 AM. The long sitting concludes with the Four Great Vows. The last Sunday and Tuesday of each month will feature zoom participants first for interviews.
Download 2 Chants and 4 Great Vows
YOUNG ZEN - Cancelled due to YMJJ Retreat, resumes next week.
SUNDAY 13 JULY 12:30-1:30 PM
Begin or deepen your meditation practice in community with other students and young adults. Each session includes sitting meditation, a check-in, and then a short talk or reading about how to integrate Zen practice into everyday life followed by refreshments.
Regular Practice
Daily Sitting & Chanting
AM ZEN MEDITATION PRACTICE
Bows 5:45 AM daily except Sunday
Chanting 6:10 AM daily except Tuesday and Sunday
Sitting 6:35 AM daily except on Tuesday and Sunday
Description: AM Meditation Practice in person consists of bows and the Morning Bell Chant followed by the Heart Sutra in English. There is a 30-minute period of sitting.
MID DAY ZEN MEDITATION PRACTICE
Sitting 12:30 PM on Tuesday and Thursday for 30 minutes. There is no need to register, just ring the door bell for entrance 10 minutes beforehand.
PM ZEN MEDITATION PRACTICE
Special chanting 6:30 PM daily
Regular chanting 7:00 PM daily
Sitting 7:30 PM daily except on Thursday*
Description: PM Meditation Practice consists of a 35-minute period of sitting followed by a short reading concluding at 8:10 PM. Note: *On Tuesday evenings, join us for two sitting periods with interviews from 7:30 PM - 8:40PM. You may join the Tuesday Zoom Meditation Practice / Meeting ID 85830843540 Please join the meeting on time.
Upcoming & Ongoing
Events / News
Protect The Jewel We are so grateful for your support in keeping our doors open for 50 years! Please help us continue to serve the needs of the community for a long time to come by using any of the following ways to donate: click on the “Protect the Jewel” for GoFundMe; find Venmo@cambridgezencenter under “Czc Zen”; a new plate for credit card donations is near the wood stove, and a donation box is located in the Reception Room for cash or mail us a check to Cambridge Zen Center. We are a 501(c)(3) organization and our Tax ID is listed at the bottom of this page.
CZC Residency: If you have wanted to live in a practicing community, for either short or long-term, your opportunity awaits! Check out our residential requirements and for more information contact abbot@cambridgezen.org. Applications can be submitted online.
Membership is the most effective way to help the Cambridge Zen Center and receive discounts. When you join as a member, you also join the Kwan Um School of Zen, a worldwide community. Become a member today by completing this online Membership Application.
Summer Kyol Che Retreat at Providence Zen Center
SATURDAY 5 JULY - FRIDAY 2 AUGUST
Kyol Che practice clarifies our direction, resulting in a more harmonious relationship with all aspects of life. Click link above for more information.
Precepts Ceremony The next IN-PERSON precepts ceremony at Providence Zen Center, our head temple, will be during Founder’s Day Sangha Weekend August 2 & 3, 2025 The Precepts Ceremony will be Sunday August 3rd at 10:30am. Ceremony broadcast on Zoom. Precepts will be given IN-PERSON ONLY. For more info on applying, click the link above.
Online Sangha Events are also available at any sister sangha in the Kwan Um School of Zen Americas. See other opportunities in Europe and Asia, plus another calendar of KUOS events with schedules for online retreats and practice opportunities.
Sangha Workday providence zen center on 19 July
Sangha Workdays strengthen our sense of community and shared purpose by practicing 'Together Action.'
Join PZC Staff in helping maintain our indoor and outdoor spaces. Come for the morning, afternoon, or both. Pizza will be served at 12 PM.
Composting Our Karma; Turning Confusion into Lessons for Awakening Our Innate Wisdom. A new book by our School Zen Master, Barbara Rhodes, Zen Master Soeng Hyang is out and is available for purchase at Shambhalla Publishers, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, at the CZC Book Store and at Providence Zen Center. Zen Master Bobby will do a book signing on April 5th and 6th at PZC.
KWan UM WorldwidE
Events at Sister Sanghas