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 April 14th - July 15th
Winter 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.
Please note that due to Issan’s upcoming trip to Japan and back surgeries in September our summer/fall schedules will be a bit irregular this year, so please be sure to take note of the schedule.
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 a short 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 may join for the entire day or any part of it.
Saturday from 8:00 am – 5:30 pm EST (14:00 - 23:00 CET)
November 1
December is replaced by "Sesshin In the City"
December 3-Day “Sesshin in the City”
After learning that the Jogues Retreat Center will only be hosting Jesuits from now on, we have decided to hold December Sesshin right where we are, in New York City.
This 3-day event will take place in person at Catherine’s newly renovated zendo as well as on zoom.
We will begin Friday evening, December 5th with 2 periods of Zazen. On Saturday, December 6th, we will sit from 8:00 am – 8:30 pm with breaks for meals and quiet personal time. Sesshin will continue Sunday morning, December 7th with 2 periods of Zazen, followed by Open Sōsan at 10:20 am.
Anyone who has participated in any part of Sesshin is invited to join. We will end at ~ 11:00 am.
As always, please customize your own “Sesshin in the City” and sit only as many periods of Zazen as you want.
If you plan to attend any part of "Sesshin in the City" in person at Catherine's zendo, please let her know as soon as possible, and bring a "brown bag" lunch.
December 5 - 7, 2025
STUDY PROGRAMS
Monday Lecture Series: Mahāparinibbāna Sutta - Buddha's Last Journey
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.
For more information, visit the
Monday from 6:30 - 8:00 pm (EST)
November 17, 24
December 1, 15, 22, 29
January 5, 12
Wednesday Lecture Series: Kannon-gyō: Chapter 25 of the Lotus Sutra
The Lotus Sūtra is one of the most important and influential of the Mahāyāna sūtras. Its 25th chapter, known as Kannon-gyō in Japanese (Avalokiteśvara Sūtra), is the most widely known and revered portion of the Lotus Sūtra. Its significance is so great that it has often been treated as an independent sūtra.
Dōgen was deeply influenced by the Lotus Sūtra and quoted it extensively throughout his writings. While there are few commentaries on Kannon-gyō in English, Rev. Koyama will frequently refer to the incisive and detailed commentaries left by Sawaki Rōshi, Uchiyama Rōshi, and other teachers of our lineage, to explain how Dōgen understood this sūtra and why he cherished it.
For more information, or to view recordings of previous lectures, please visit the
Wednesdays from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm (EST) (17:00 - 18:30 CET)
November 12, 19, 26
December 3, 10, 17
January 7,14, 21, 28
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 our practice, clarifying key points about dharma and practice that have been debated for centuries and continue to be contentious even today.
Eligible sangha members are invited to “peek in” as Issan, Françoise and Michele meet online to continue work on our original English and French translation of Hōkyō-ki.
Thursdays from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm EST (17:00 - 18:30 CET)
November 13, 20
December 4, 11, 18
January 8, 15, 22, 29
Monthly All Day Study Intensive: Avatamsaka Sūtra
This sūtra is vast and exuberant, ushering readers into an awe-inspiring cosmic celebration of Dharma. A close examination reveals that the Flower Adornment Sūtra proffers the same Dharma as all Buddhist texts including Dōgen’s. It is about our path as bodhisattvas and how we walk it so it is as inspiring for us today as it was for Buddhists hundreds of years 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.
For more information or to view recordings of past lectures, visit the
Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM EST (15:00 - 21:00)
November 15,
December 13
January 17
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Open Mondō (Question & Answer Session)
Open Mondō is an opportunity for Zen students to ask questions and engage in dialogues with a teacher about real life situations and concerns rather than academic concerns. Although some schools prefer a formal ceremonious style of mondō, our mondōs are relaxed and informal.
Questions are dharma-related but focus on situations that are of immediate significance to our lives. They 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.
To view recordings of past Mondō please visit the
Saturdays from 10:00 am - 11:30 am US EST (16:00 - 17:30 CET)
November 22
December 20
January 24
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 in addition to gathering to sew, we are also translating and posting Sawaki Rōshi’s teachings on the significance of sewing Buddhist robes in the hopes of making this meditative practice more understandable and accessible.
Friday from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm EST
November 21
December 19
January 23
In August and February, we observe a reduced practice schedule.
Rev. Issan Koyama’s Travel Schedule
Japan: 2026 TBD
Italy: April 2026