Our Practice
New York Zen Community for Dōgen Study
offers daily, weekly, monthly, and special programs.
All Our Programs are Offered Free of Charge
Participation in Zazen programs is open to all.
Study Programs are recorded and will be posted online as they become available .
To participate in Study Programs and Special Events in real time, kindly reach out via email at: info@nyzcfordogenstudy.org
Ango (Intensive Practice Period)
Summer Ango: April 14th - July 15th
Winter Ango: October 14-January 15
The tradition of intensifying practice and study during three spring and summer months dates back to the days of Gōtama Buddha when India’s rainy season made travel hazardous, and monks gathered together in one place to practice. In Japan this tradition was extended to include the snowy, cold winter months.
Our Ango period of intensifying practice and study features many opportunities and programs for practice and study in addition to the continuation of ongoing lecture series and sangha events.
ZAZEN
Morning Zazen
Monday - Friday
7:00 am: Kentan Gyōkō begins.
7:10 am: Opening bells.
8:00 am: Chanting of Takkesage M, W, F and Verse of the Robe on T, Th
After Zazen, we gather to read from Dōgen’s Shōbōgenzō Zuimonki.
On days ending in 4 or 9, we come together for an abreviated morning service, Ryaku-Chōka.
Monthly Zazenkai
Each month, we dedicate a day to deepening our shikantaza practice in silence, alternating between several periods of Zazen and Kinhin. Participants are encouraged to join for the entire day or any part of it.
Saturday from 8:00 am – 5:30 pm EST (14:00 - 23:00 CET)
January 10
February OFF
March 14
April 4
May 2
June 6 (half day)
July 11
STUDY PROGRAMS
Monday Lecture Series: Buddha's Last Journey
The Mahāparinibbāna Sutta
The Monday Evening Lecture Series for the Fall/Winter 2025 - 2026 Ango Season, will focus on Ancient Buddhism as Rev. Issan Koyama explores the Mahāparinibbāna Sutta and its detailed depiction of Gautama Buddha’s final months of life.
Mondays from 6:30 - 8:00 pm (EST)
January 5, 12
* After 01/12/26, Rev. Koyama will continue to record lectures until the completion of this series.
Wednesday Lecture Series: The Lotus Sutra
Kannon-gyō (Avalokiteśvara Sūtra)
The Lotus Sūtra is one of the most influential Mahāyāna sūtras. Its 25th chapter - Kannon-gyō in Japanese (Avalokiteśvara Sūtra) - is revered.
Dōgen was deeply influenced by the Lotus Sūtra and quoted it extensively throughout his writings. In this lecture series, Rev. Koyama will refer to commentaries by Sawaki Rōshi, Uchiyama Rōshi, and others to explain how Dōgen understood this sūtra and why he cherished it.
Wednesdays from 12:30pm- 2:00 pm (EST) (18:30 - 20:00 CET)
January 7,14, 21, 28
February (off)
March 4, 11, 18, 25
April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
May 6,13, 20, 27
June 17, 24
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Hōkyō-ki Translation Project
Hōkyō-ki is Dōgen’s personal journal documenting his private conversations with his teacher, Nyojō Zenji, while in Song Dynasty China.
Dōgen’s questions to Nyojō go right to the heart of dharma and practice, clarifying key points that have been hotly debated for centuries and continue to be just as controversial today.
Eligible sangha members are invited to “peek in” as Issan, Françoise and Michele meet online to work on original English and French translations of this text.
Thursdays from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm EST (18:30 - 20:00 CET)
January 8, 15, 22, 29
February (off)
March 5, 12, 19, 26
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
May 7, 14, 21, 28
June 18, 25
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Monthly Study Intensive: The Flower Adornment Sūtra
Avatamsaka Sūtra
This sūtra is vast and exuberant, ushering readers into an awe-inspiring cosmic celebration of Dharma. It is about our path as bodhisattvas and it is as inspiring today as it was for Way Seekers centuries ago.
Based on the new three-volume translation of “The Avatamsaka Sūtra: An Annotated Translation of The Avatamsaka Sūtra” translated by Bhikshu Dharmamitra.
published by Kalavinka Press.
Saturdays from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM EST (15:00 - 21:00 CET)
January 17
February (off)
March 21
April 11
May 9
June 20
July 18
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Open Mondō (Question & Answer Session)
Open Mondō is an opportunity to ask questions and engage in dialogues with a teacher about real life situations and immediate concerns rather than academic issues. Our style of mondō is relaxed and informal.
Questions can be asked in real time when we meet on zoom or in person, or they can be sent to Rev. Koyama in advance by email.
Saturdays from 10:00 am - 11:30 am US EST (16:00 - 17:30 CET)
January 24
February (off)
March 28
April 18
May 16
June 27
July 25
Nyohō-e Sewing Circle (Fukuden-kai)
Each month, we gather to sew Buddhist robes. Our Nyohō-e tradition is inspired by Sawaki Kōdō Rōshi’s teachings and we hope to preserve this ancient meditative practice and make it understandable and accessible.
Friday from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm EST
January 23
February (off)
March 27
April 17
May 15
June 26
July 24
In August and February, we observe a reduced practice schedule.
Rev. Issan Koyama’s Travel Schedule
Japan: 2026 TBD
Italy: April 2026