Zazen Instruction

A beginner's welcome and introduction to Zen Practice is offered throughout the year. It is offered on Wednesday nights at 6:15 p.m. except during scheduled closures and on Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. on October 5.

For newcomers receiving zazen instruction, a suggested donation is $5 - $20.

Anyone can meditate. Whether or not you are flexible, have the ability to sit cross-legged, or can get up and down off the floor on your knees does not limit you. If you wish to sit zazen, please join us.

Sitting in a chair, on a bench or on a cushion are all equally beneficial practices. One is not better than another.

If you arrive at Ashland Zen Center by car, park facing away from the buildings, and either leave your phone there or silence it before entering the temple. A bicycle rack is available at the far end of the parking lot.

Wednesday Nights at 6:15 PM

Most Wednesday evenings zazen instruction is offered in the zendo which is in the front house. Enter through the front door, closest to the street. There is a shoe rack on the front porch. Shoes are removed before entering the building. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Jeans are difficult to sit in, and shorts and tank tops are not considered appropriate attire in the zendo. Zazen instruction is not offered every Wednesday. Please check the dates below.

Sunday Morning, October 5 at 8:00 AM

On October 5th zazen instruction will be offered on a Sunday morning in the sangha room. This is in the barn at the end of the parking lot. Enter through the gate closest to the barn. There is a shoe rack in the entry room of the barn. Shoes are removed before entering the sangha room. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Jeans are difficult to sit in, and shorts and tank tops are not considered appropriate attire. After zazen instruction, we will join the rest of the Sunday schedule in the zendo, which is in the front house.

Welcome.

Zazen instruction will be offered on the following dates through the rest of 2025:

October 1

October 5 (Sunday)

October 8

October 15

October 22

November 5

November 12

November 19

December 3

During the Omicron surge zazen instruction will take place over Zoom. When you fill out and send the RSVP form above you will receive a unique Zoom link and passcode from the person offering instruction. Instruction is offered from 6:20-7:00 p.m. and then newcomers are invited to join the sangha for zazen, service and the dharma talk that evening.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing.

Set up your device in a room that is free from other activities and quiet enough that you will be able to focus on the instruction.

Have a cushion, meditation bench or chair ready that you can use for meditation.

Zazen instruction is offered free of charge but donations are gratefully accepted. For newcomers a suggested donation is $5-$20. Your offering helps maintain the Buddha Way and pays forward the opportunity for others to practice in the future.

During the Omicron surge zazen instruction will take place over Zoom. When you fill out and send the RSVP form above you will receive a unique Zoom link and passcode from the person offering instruction. Instruction is offered from 6:20-7:00 p.m. and then newcomers are invited to join the sangha for zazen, service and the dharma talk that evening.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing.

Set up your device in a room that is free from other activities and quiet enough that you will be able to focus on the instruction.

Have a cushion, meditation bench or chair ready that you can use for meditation.

Zazen instruction is offered free of charge but donations are gratefully accepted. For newcomers a suggested donation is $5-$20. Your offering helps maintain the Buddha Way and pays forward the opportunity for others to practice in the future.