The Village Zendo is a Zen community in the heart of downtown New York City. Serving as a sanctuary in busy Manhattan, we offer daily meditation, dharma talks, Buddhist services, retreats, workshops and study groups. Participation is open to all.
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Featured Retreats, Workshops & Events

Zazenkai with Dharma Talk by Bokushu Sensei
Saturday, January 17
We invite you to participate in Village Zendo’s zazenkai, a half-day retreat that will be held both online and in person. It will include ample periods of meditation, service, a Dharma talk, and conclude with open sozan.

Fustatsu and Precepts Talk by Shinryu Roshi
Thursday, January 22
Fusatsu is our way of acknowledging that we are not separate from all the harm and disharmony in our world and that our practice should naturally lead to us to ethical action. In the latter part of the ceremony, the officiant gives a Dharma talk focussing on the Zen precepts of ethical conduct.

The Path of the Precepts
Begins Sunday, February 22
The 2026 class will center on the Bodhisattva Precepts, the core existential and ethical values in Zen. Meeting monthly over nine Sundays, the Path will combine study materials with exercises for personal reflection, dialogue, and council-style collective expression. Everyone is welcome.

January Bulletin
When you become a parent, it’s easy to come to the conclusion that your life is no longer your own. It’s all about the kid now, everything. Your life as you know it, that’s a thing of the past. And there is some truth to this. Life will indeed never be the same... [read more]

Learn to Meditate (Online)
Monday Evenings
For those new to Zen meditation or who have not practiced meditation in a zendo before. Recommendations for a comfortable, stable sitting posture are given, as well as guidance on how to begin a meditation practice and do walking meditation. There will be ample opportunity for Q & A.

People of Color Sitting Group
Saturday Mornings
The People of Color Sitting Group aims to embody the three tenets by being a sanctuary for People of Color to study, support and discuss how in a system (society) of oppression and racial bias we can create a community where we recognize our interdependence.

Bolivian Sitting Group
Saturdays, 8:00am
You are invited to join Village Zendo’s affiliated Bolivian sangha every Saturday morning. We will sit two periods of zazen, with an optional stretch break between, in the same fashion as online sitting at the Village Zendo.
Newcomers' Meeting
Thursday, December 11
Are you new to the Village Zendo online community? Would you like to get to know some of the teachers, meet other community members and ask questions informally? If so, please consider joining us for an open conversation on the second Thursday evening of every month.
Upcoming Dharma Talks
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Jan 15th 5:30pm Zazen and Dharma Talk by Seiryu
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Jan 17th 8:30am Zazenkai and Dharma Talk by Bokushu Sensei
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Jan 18th 9:30am Zazen and Dharma Talk by Jiryu
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Jan 22nd 5:30pm Fusatsu Ceremony and Precepts Talk by Shinryu Roshi
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Jan 25th 9:30am Zazen and Dharma Talk by Fusho Sensei
Recorded Teacher Dharma Talks
Talk By Ryotan Roshi “Moment to Moment Non-Stop Flow”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVRYZwBn6GU Podcast audio:
Talk by Fusho Sensei “Birth and Death Are The Great Matter”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDYGzYbSsIY Podcast audio:
Talk by Daishi “The Tail That Won’t Pass Through: Undivided Activity and a Freedom That Doesn’t Fix”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvBHEpj4dNo Podcast audio:
Talk by Shinryu Roshi “The Weave of Life and Death”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfs_xSAcwX4 Please note the video was recorded in two parts. The second part can be found here. Podcast Audio:
Talk by Jo An Sensei “The Narrow Path Beneath Our Feet”
https://youtu.be/LFwrQkobwIs Podcast audio:
Recorded Senior Student Dharma Talks
Talk by Jisei “PRACTICE- STEP BY STEP in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES”
https://youtu.be/YyawtlpHjEM Podcast audio:
Talk by Joren “See the Moment for What It Is”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqDumS13Sp4 Podcast Audio:
Talk by Mukei “Enlightenment – What does it look like?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYklquaoMkg Podcast audio:
Talk by Kenzen “A Bowl of Clouds and Water”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbFQg7NHyb0 Podcast audio:
Talk by SoTen “The Reality of Spirits, Ghosts and Hungry Ghosts in Zen Practice”
https://youtu.be/vqtUFZb8gTo Podcast audio:
