WEEKLY UPDATE
MON 14 OCTOBER - 20 OCTOBER 2024
Flowers in springtime, moon in autumn,
Cool wind in summer, snow in winter.
If you don't make anything in your mind,
For you it is a good season.
...Zen Master Wu Men
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
College Retreat Saturday 2 November
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
led by Zen Master Bon Yeon, Jane Dobisz
All undergraduate and graduate college students are invited to participate in our bi-annual College Retreat.
Please register online by Thursday, October 31 at noon. The charge for this retreat is $35 and includes a delicious vegetarian lunch. Please register early to make sure you secure a spot as this retreat is very popular.
Registration is now open. Click title link for more info and to register.
TUESDAY COMMUNITY DINNER at 5:30 PM Come early and join us for dinner with a $5-10 suggested donation followed by chanting at 6:30PM prior to the standard Tuesday Long Sitting.
TUESDAY LONG SITTING with Beth Walsh, Senior Dharma Teacher giving consulting interviews.
TUESDAY, 15 OCTOBER 7:30-8:40 PM
Join URL: Tuesday Zoom Meditation Practice / Meeting ID: 85830843540
There will be two sitting periods of 30 mins each with 10 mins break in between periods. You may join the Zoom meeting at 7:25-7:30 PM or 8:00-8:10 PM. If you are new, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for brief instruction on our practice forms. The last Sunday and Tuesday of each month will feature zoom participants first for interviews.
Social Justice & Diversity Initiative Unpacking Whiteness on Zoom
WEDNESDAY 16 October 8:15PM - 9:15 PM
The Unpacking Whiteness Group meets via zoom on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. 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 the book Home is Here: Practicing Antiracism with the Engaged Eightfold Path by Lien Shutt. At each meeting, 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. Our group welcomes new members - no experience is necessary. Everyone is welcome to join. Inquiries are presented and facilitated by Senior Dharma Teacher Jennifer Magrone, who brings more than ten years of professional experience with the work of addressing how bias and identity oppression operate. If you are curious - please join us!
MEDITATION INSTRUCTION FOR NEWCOMERS
THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER 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.
THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER 7:30-8:30 PM
Join URL: Dharma Talk / Meeting ID: 876 2455 3876. (new link)
Mark O’Leary will answer questions after an introductory talk by Jonas Kaplan-Bucciarelli.
Mark O’Leary is a Senior Dharma Teacher in the Kwan Um School of Zen. He began studying meditation in 1995 and became a Zen student in 2008. He facilitates weekly Zen meditation groups and retreats for inmates in the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, and Zen Meditation classes at Boston University. He's also the host of a weekly Celtic music radio show on WOMR in Provincetown, Mass. He lives in Newton with his wife Nancy. They have three adult children and two granddaughters who are the absolute best.
Jonas Kaplan-Bucciaelli holds 5 precepts in the Kwan Um School of Zen.
20 OCTOBER 9:00 - 11:30 AM
Join us for 4 30-minute sitting periods. If you are new, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for brief instruction on our practice forms. The last Sunday and Tuesday of each month will feature zoom participants first for interviews.
20 OCTOBER Sundays 12:30 - 1:30 PM
Description: Come to the center to begin or deepen your meditation practice in community with other students and young adults. Each session includes sitting and walking meditation, a check-in, and a short talk or reading about how to integrate Zen practice into everyday life. You are also welcome to join our PM Zen Meditation Practice (see below). If you are new, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for brief instruction on our practice forms.
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.
Save the Date: Upcoming Together Action Events
Silent Yoga w/ Crystal Eusebio. Dates: Wed 10/9, 10/16, 10/23. 8:15p - 9:15p Location: CZC Dharma hall Sign up link https://forms.gle/W5cXniLfZm679cj5A
Pumpkin Carving contest on 19 October at 12 noon
Sign up link https://forms.gle/21FdUsYXP7iR72HJ8
Apple Picking on Saturday 26 October at 12 noon at Boston Hill Farm, North Andover Sign up link https://forms.gle/Am3fsKQcgCfpnrQJ8
Halloween Party! Friday 1st November at 8:30 PM
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 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, your opportunity awaits! Check out our residential requirements and for more information contact abbot@cambridgezen.org. Applications can be submitted online. We currently have a waiting list.
Membership is the most effective way to help the Cambridge Zen Center. 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.
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.
KWan UM WorldwidE
Events at Sister Sanghas