Brooklyn Zen Center | A New York City Soto Zen Buddhist Temple
Introduction to Zen Buddhism Class

Registration is closed.

Six-week class led by Teah Strozer

Mondays, March 25th through April 29th, 7:00pm to 8:15pm

 $60 BZC members/$120 non-members

Zen Buddhism is a path to freedom from unnecessary suffering for ourselves and others. It is based on a few basic behaviors and principles. Most fundamentally, we all live one life. To realize and live that understanding is the reason we practice meditation and mindfulness. To encourage ourselves, we study Buddha's teachings together.

In this class we'll get a taste of Buddha's basic teachings and experience basic practices that lead to freedom from unnecessary suffering and dissatisfaction. The purpose of this class is to teach students the practice and, for those who are interested, to help them get started on the path.

It's simple but not easy. So the sooner we get started the better.

 

 

The Foundations of Mindfulness

Registration is closed.

Eight-week class led by Catherine Gammon

Thursdays, April 4 through May 23, 8:00pm to 9:15pm

$60 BZC members/$120 non-members

In this class we turn our attention to Shakyamuni Buddha's teaching for arousing mindfulness as the basis for the practice that leads to liberation from suffering.

The foundations of mindfulness that Shakyamuni Buddha taught are mindfulness of body, mindfulness of feeling (or sensation), mindfulness of mind, and mindfulness of objects of mind.

Our study of these teachings in class, beginning with mindfulness of the body, will be an exploration into how we can establish and cultivate mindfulness in our everyday lives, and a reflection on the consequences of making this effort. Our study will be grounded in meditation practice, and will include directed meditations in class and sharing in small groups.

Our text will be the Satipatthana Sutta (Majjhima Nikaya No. 10) and its expanded version, the Mahasatipatthana Sutta (Digha Nikaya No. 22). The basic text will be distributed to those who register for the class. No purchase of books will be necessary. Additional resources will be suggested along the way.

The class is particularly recommended for those who are new to Buddhist practice or to meditation. It will also be suitable for experienced practitioners. All that is required is the willingness to meet oneself and one another in the stillness of practice.

Regular zazen practice supports the development of mindfulness. Participants are encouraged to establish a sitting practice at home and to sit regularly with the sangha at the Zen Center. Saturday morning zazen instruction is recommended, as is attendance at evening zazen before class.


 

Practicing With the Precepts

Starting on September 29th, 2012, Laura O’Loughlin and Greg Snyder will be leading a discussion group on the Bodhisattva precepts. The class will be using Tenshin Reb Anderson's book, Being Upright, and Diane Eshin Rizetto's book, Waking Up to What You Do: A Zen Practice for Meeting Every Situation with Intelligence and Compassion, as texts for the group. 

Our Buddhist precepts are specific ethical guidelines meant to support the everyday actualization of the wisdom and compassion that is born of meditation practice. When viewed from the truth of interdependence, the precepts teach us, as Reb writes, “how to protect and bring the spirit of compassion to complete maturity [and allow] compassion to enter all aspects of our lives.” Participants will be asked to commit to an ongoing engagement with the precepts. Discussions will not be theoretical and will arise from direct, personal experience with this rich ethical practice.

The class will take place on Saturdays, from 1:30pm to 2:45pm through May 2013. The class will meet on eight Saturdays during the fall. The spring schedule for the second part of the class will be announced in December. Participants are expected to attend regularly and begin and end the class together. In order to support the group process, participants are required to miss no more than one class in the fall and one in the spring.

This class is designed for those who have had a regular meditation practice for at least a year and have already taken the mindfulness class or have formal experience with mindfulness practices. Participants are also strongly encouraged to sit at least twice per week with the sangha at Brooklyn Zen Center.

Brooklyn Zen Center is committed to trying to provide classes at no extra charge. We do encourage everyone to consider giving dana to BZC for any class.

If you are interested in signing up for this class or have any questions, please email Laura through the contact form linked here.

Zazen Instruction (ongoing)

Zazen (Zen meditation) instruction is given on most Saturdays at 9:15 am before zazen. We welcome all to come and learn about Zen meditation. Attending zazen instruction prior to sitting with the community is strongly encouraged for those who have not meditated before. Coming to instruction several times during the early months of sitting practice can also be beneficial. A donation of $10.00 is appreciated. All donations go toward covering the daily operations of Brooklyn Zen Center.
 
Please note that zazen instruction will not be offered on May 11th, May 25th, and June 8th due to retreats on those Saturdays.