SANGHA
LOCAL SANGHA
The Cambridge Zen Center sangha (community) includes about twenty-five residents who live at the center in central Cambridge, as well as regional, national, and international Zen practitioners who join the center over zoom for daily meditation practice and retreats.
Activities at the Zen center focus on together-action (acting in harmony with others). We practice together every morning and evening nearly every day of the year. We offer Zen meditation retreats each month and special meditation groups for young adults. Our teachers give weekly talks and interviews, and we hold regular workshops on Buddhism, practice and other topics.
AMERICAN SANGHA
The American region of the Kwan Um School of Zen includes nearly forty Zen centers in the United States, Mexico, Panama, and Argentina. The School's teachers travel frequently among these centers to lead retreats and guide practitioners.
The sangha comes together three times each year (in April, July and December) at the American headquarters temple, Providence Zen Center, for sangha weekends. These events feature ceremonies, workshops, and other together-action activities. The Cambridge Zen Center community regularly participates in these weekends.
The American region also hosts intensive periods of meditation known as “kyol che” retreats. Winter kyol che begins in early January and runs for 90 days. Summer kyol che runs for four weeks every summer. Both retreats are held at Diamond Hill Zen Monastery at Providence Zen Center.
WORLDWIDE SANGHA
Cambridge Zen Center is an affiliate of the international Kwan Um School of Zen, a worldwide network of more than 100 Zen centers in over 30 countries. The Kwan Um School of Zen was founded in 1978 by Zen Master Seung Sahn to bring the teaching and spirit of the ancient Korean Zen tradition to practitioners around the world.
Over 40 Zen Masters and Ji Do Poep Sas located around the world work together to develop Zen Master Seung Sahn’s legacy. Practitioners from Cambridge Zen Center can visit centers in any part of the world and practice in the same way, using the same practice forms.
The Kwan Um School of Zen operates through three regions: Americas, Asia and Europe. An International Council of senior teachers oversees worldwide teaching.
Affiliated Zen Centers
Cambridge Zen Center is part of the Kwan Um School of Zen's world-wide network of Zen communities. All affiliated centers follow the same meditation practice forms. Please visit our sister centers as you travel in New England.
Cape Cod Zen Center, South Yarmouth Massachusetts
New Haven Zen Center, New Haven Connecticut
Northern Light Zen Center, Topsham Maine
Open Meadow Zen Center, Lexington Massachusetts
Plymouth Zen Group, Plymouth Massachusetts
Providence Zen Center, Cumberland Rhode Island
For a complete list of Kwan Um School of Zen Centers around the world, click here.