Sitting Schedule
Meetings and Sittings
In addition to opening our zendo for in-person sittings, we continue to meet online to support each other during this challenging time for zazen, programs, Dharma talks and more. Shinge Roshi continues to teach, giving Dharma Talks and dokusan via Zoom meetings. We look forward to seeing you; all are welcome!
Newcomers are encouraged to attend (via Zoom) Introduction to Zen Meditation on Wednesday 7-8:30 p.m. EST before joining one of the regularly scheduled events.
If you plan to visit in person, please be sure to review the Zen Center's covid protocols.
Dharma Study is offered both in-person and via Zoom and will be held on the first Sunday of the month from 2-3:30 p.m. EST. Please click here for more information.
See schedules below for in-person and online sittings and meetings.
In-Person Meditation Schedule
If you plan to visit in person, please be sure to review the Zen Center's covid protocols.
Sunday | 10am - 12:30pm | Chanting, Zazen, Dharma talk on Sunday closest to the 21st. Dokusan is on the second and fourth Sunday when Shinge Roshi is in town. |
Monday - Saturday | 6-6:40am, 7-7:40am | Zazen |
Tuesday | 8:30am - 9:30am | Zazen (Volunteer staff meeting after.) |
Thursday | 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Heart sutra chanting and three periods of Zazen First Thursday of the month: two periods of zazen and then an informal tea and discussion in the Forman House. |
Saturday | 10am - 11:30am | Tibetan service (Dunkar Sangha, in the Tibetan Gelugpa lineage) Dharma Study, First Saturday of the month at 11:30 a.m. To inquire, call Andy, (315) 559-2785 |
Online Meditation Schedule
Please note that all times are in Eastern Time.
Threefold Sangha Sunday Mornings (except during Sesshin)
On the Sunday closest to Mandala Day (the 21st of each month), we’ll start at 10 a.m. with the Mandala Day celebration (click here for Lotus Sutra), followed by kinhin and a period of zazen. At 11:55 a.m., a teisho or Dharma talk will be offered, concluding at 12:30 p.m. On all other Sundays please join us at 10 a.m., for choka (morning service, click here for chanting sutra book) followed by two periods of zazen, ending at 12:30 p.m. Shinge Roshi will be in attendance as her schedule allows.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 707 637 406
Password: 242603
Introduction to Zen Meditation
Wednesday 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. EST hosted jointly by ZSS and ZCS.
Introductory instruction in Zen meditation, followed by meditation and informal discussion. No experience necessary. Classes will not be held during sesshin. There will be no class on May 10.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 830 5980 9854
Password: intro2zen
Open Zazen
Monday through Saturday
6 – 6:40 a.m. hosted by ZCS
7 – 7:40 a.m. hosted by ZCS
40-minute periods of zazen
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 742 716 369
Password: 444630
Tuesday
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. hosted by ZCS
60 minutes of zazen
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 622 175 686
Password: 049393
Thursday
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. hosted by ZCS
Heart sutra chanting and three periods of Zazen. First Thursday of the month: two periods of zazen.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 742 716 369
Password: 444630
Tibetan Practice
Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. Tibetan practice sitting on Zoom only
Meeting ID: 886 339 959
Password: Dunkar2785
Zendo Procedure
Welcome! Our zendo is open to all. Please click here if this is your first visit. Below are some brief guidelines.
- Arrive early. Allow time to make the transition to the dynamic stillness of the zendo.
- Avoid wearing perfume, aftershave, or other fragrances.
- Remove watches and noisy jewelry before entering the zendo.
- Silence cell phones.
- Leave any valuables in the changing room, not in the zendo foyer.
- Attire should be clean, dignified and restrained - no shorts, tank tops, distracting patterns and colors, or skin-tight clothing.
- If you bring food to the Zen Center at any time, be sure it's vegetarian.
- Observe silence. Moving during zazen not only disturbs others, it hinders your own concentration, creating even more discomfort.
- Participate! You will find the more you give of yourself, the more your understanding will deepen.
Sittings at Syracuse University
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 (rm 308) and on Zoom.
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
Monday | 12:30 p.m., Live in the Small Chapel with Joy |
Tuesday | 11:00 a.m., Live in the Small Chapel with Moahmoud |
Tuesday | 5:30 p.m., Live in the Small Chapel with Maya |
Wednesday | 9:30 a.m., Live in the Small Chapel with Hayden |
Wednesday | 11:45 a.m., Live in the Small Chapel with Ryan |
Wednesday | 6:45 p.m., Live in the Small Chapel with Joe and on Zoom |
Thursday | 10:00 a.m., Live in the Small Chapel with JoAnn and on Zoom |
Friday | 8:00 a.m., Live in the Small Chapel with Adria |
Friday | 5:30 p.m., Live in the Small Chapel with Elan |
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