Online class: Introduction to Zen through Ancestor Stories, starting March 23


Event Details

This event finished on 27 April 2021


Six-week class led by Laura O’Loughlin

Class dates: Tuesdays 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27

Class time:  7:00 to 8:30pm. Students are encouraged to sit zazen before the class starts, if possible.

This class will be offered online via live stream. Participants will receive log in details after registering.


Introduction to Zen through Ancestor Stories

This class is an introduction to the practices and teachings of Zen Buddhism, a school of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China and later spread to other parts of the world. At Brooklyn Zen Center, we practice in the Soto Zen Buddhist tradition which was transmitted to us from Japan by our lineage’s founder, Suzuki Roshi.

We will study a few of the essential teachings of Zen through ancestor stories, exploring what this ancestral compassion and wisdom has to offer our own lives. As zazen (meditation) is foundational to Zen, instruction and guidance on meditation practices and Zen forms will also be offered. The class will include weekly readings as well as group discussion.


Class fee:  $160 Sustaining / $120 Base / $80 for BZC members (more than 3 months)

To register, please click here. Please note that registration for this class closes March 30.

Please note our cancellation policy for this offering: To request a refund for this class, you must notify BZC in writing by the start of the first class. Refunds will be issued in the total paid less a $15 processing fee. Please note that there are no refunds for events with registration fees under $50. Please see our complete cancellation policy here.


About Laura O’Loughlin

Laura O’Loughlin is a dharma teacher and senior lay practitioner at Brooklyn Zen Center, as well as its co-founder. Before she began training with Teah Strozer, Laura was a student of Darlene Cohen’s. She is currently a psychotherapist, affiliated with the Buddhist Psychotherapy Collective, with her own practice in Manhattan. As a clinician, Laura uses mindfulness and body-oriented practices to support healing and transformation. Before co-founding Brooklyn Zen Center, Laura had trained and lived in various Buddhist communities since 1997, including Tassajara Zen Mountain Monastery and San Francisco Zen Center. Laura was also Director of Austin Zen Center, where among other things she studied the interface between eastern and western psychologies. Laura received lay dharma entrustment from Teah Strozer in 2017.