Sitting Schedule
Meetings and Sittings
Even though Shinge Roshi and the Sangha are now meeting in person for zazen, ceremonies, talks, and dokusan, we continue to offer online accessibility.
For those new to the Zen Center, instruction in zazen techniques and zendo etiquette will be given Thursday evenings in the Forman House starting at 6 p.m. Please email admin@hoenji.org if you are coming for the first time, and arrive at the front door of the Forman House (main building) by 5:50 p.m. After the instruction period newcomers will join everyone in the Carriage House Zendo.
Please review our Covid protocols before coming to the Zen Center. If you have symptoms of any illness, we ask you not to come until you are well.
Intro to Zen Meditation is offered online each Wednesday evening from 7-8:30 p.m. ET via Zoom. There will be no classes on Sep 27 and Oct 18.
Dharma Study is offered both in-person and via Zoom. It is usually held on the first or second Sunday of the month, from 2-3:30 p.m. ET. Please click here for more information.
See schedules below for in-person and online sittings and meetings.
In-Person Meditation Schedule
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If you plan to visit in person, please be sure to review the Zen Center's Covid protocols.
| First Sunday of the month | 10 am - 11:45 am | Morning Service Chanting (Choka), Zazen (Meditation) |
| 12 pm - 12:45 pm | Samu (silent work practice/temple cleaning) | |
| 1 pm - 2 pm | Tea and refreshments | |
| Mandala Day Sunday (Sunday closest to the 21st of the month) | 10 am - 12:15 pm | Mandala Day Ceremony, Zazen, Teisho or Dharma Talk |
| 12:15 pm - 1 pm | Samu | |
| 1 pm - 2 pm | Potluck Celebration | |
| Other Sundays | 10 am - 12:30 pm | Choka and Zazen, plus dokusan (private interview with the teacher) unless Shinge Roshi is away. |
| Monday - Saturday | 6-6:40 am and 7-7:40 am | Zazen |
| Tuesday | 8:30 am - 9:30 am | Zazen (Volunteer staff meeting after.) |
| Thursday | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Zazen and instruction for first-time visitors and anyone new to meditation. Please email admin@hoenji.org if you are coming for the first time, and arrive at the front door of the Forman House (main building) by 5:50 p.m. Tea and discussion on the first Thursday of the month led by Shinge Roshi or an advanced practitioner. |
| Saturday | 10 am - 11:30 am | Tibetan service (Dunkar Sangha, in the Tibetan Gelugpa lineage) Dharma Study, First Saturday of the month at 11:30 am. Call Andy at (315) 559-2785 to inquire. |
Online Meditation Schedule
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Please note that all times are in Eastern Time.
Sunday Mornings (except during Zen Center of Syracuse Sesshin)
Please join us at 10 am for Choka (Morning Chanting Service, click here for the ZCS Sutra Book) then zazen. On the first Sunday, zazen ends at 11:45 am. On the second, fourth, and fifth Sundays, Zazen ends at 12:30 pm. On the third Sunday of the month, we begin with the Mandala Day Ceremony (click here for the Lotus Sutra) and kinhin (walking meditation), followed by a Teisho or Dharma Talk at 11:30 am, ending at about 12:15 pm.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 707 637 406
Password: 242603
Introduction to Zen Meditation
Wednesday 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. ET
Online introductory instruction in Zen meditation, followed by meditation and an informal discussion. No experience is necessary. Intro to Zen will not be held on Sep 27 and Oct 18.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 830 5980 9854
Password: intro2zen
Zazen from Hoen-ji (except during Zen Center of Syracuse Sesshin)
Monday through Saturday morning
6 – 6:40 am
7 – 7:40 am
Two 40-minute periods of zazen
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 742 716 369
Password: 444630
Tuesday morning
8:30 – 9:30 am hosted by ZCS
Two 30-minute periods of zazen, ending with Metta Sutta chanting. Click here to download the Metta Sutta chant.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 622 175 686
Password: 049393
Thursday evening
6 pm – 8 pm
Three periods of zazen, except first Thursday only two periods
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 742 716 369
Password: 444630
Zendo Procedure
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Welcome! Our zendo is open to all. Please click here if this is your first visit. Below are some brief guidelines.
Before coming to the Zendo
- Attire should be clean, dignified, and low-key (leave shorts, tank tops, distracting patterns or colors, and skin-tight clothing at home).
- Avoid wearing perfume, aftershave, or other fragrances.
- Arrive early, allowing enough time to transition to the dynamic stillness of the zendo.
- If you do bring food to the Zen Center at any time, please be sure it's vegetarian.
Once you're there...
- Silence your cell phone.
- Leave any valuables in the changing room, not in the zendo entryway.
- Remove watches and noisy jewelry before entering the zendo.
- Observe silence. Moving during zazen not only disturbs others, it hinders your concentration and creates more discomfort.
- Participate! You’ll find that the more you give yourself to the practice, the deeper your understanding grows.
Sittings at Syracuse University
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The Zen Center of Syracuse and the Syracuse University Buddhist Meditation Association together offer meditation at Syracuse University. All sittings are held at Hendricks Chapel in the small chapel in the basement unless otherwise noted. Each includes instruction and discussion, with half an hour of meditation.
These sittings are offered daily, except for days when Syracuse University is closed (generally, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the Friday following, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve).
All are welcome to attend -- you do not need to be affiliated with Syracuse University to join us!
Meditations will be offered live in the Small Chapel in the lower level of Hendricks, The Barnes Center Meditation Room (room 308) and on Zoom as indicated (link provided below). If you would like to attend a meditation on Zoom that does not currently offer a remote option, contact JoAnn at jmcooke@syr.edu and we will add a zoom option.
To join any of the Buddhist Meditation Association's online meditations, follow this Zoom link:
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 953 9890 1378
Passcode: BMASUESF
Co-sponsored by the Buddhist Meditation Association and the Zen Center of Syracuse
For more info or if having difficulty joining, contact the Buddhist Chaplain, JoAnn Cooke, at 315-559-7013 or jmcooke@syr.edu
| Monday | 12:00 pm, Small Chapel with Mahmoud |
| Tuesday | 11:00 am, Small Chapel with Olivia |
| Wednesday | 11:30 am, Small Chapel with Doshin |
| Wednesday | 3:45 pm, Small Chapel with Murphy |
| Thursday | 9:30 am, Small Chapel with Ryan |
| Thursday | 12:00 pm, Small Chapel and on Zoom with JoAnn |
| Thursday | 6:30 pm, Small Chapel with Joe |
| Friday | 8:00 am, Small Chapel with Hayden |
| Friday | 4:30 pm, Small Chapel with Elan |
