Sunday, October 18, 2009

Meditate NYC 2009


Meditate NYC 2009 Kick-Off Event:

Sunday, Nov. 8, 3 – 7 PM Judson Church


New York Meditate NYC begins on Sunday, November 8 with an afternoon of meditation instruction by Buddhist teachers from a great variety of traditions. The event is free and open to all.


After the kick-off the Buddhist community of New York City will join together to sponsor a full week of free meditation instruction, November 9 – 15. People from all faiths, backgrounds, and experience are welcome at Open Houses hosted by meditation groups and dharma centers throughout the NYC area.


What: Meditate NYC Kick-Off Event


When: Sunday, November 8, 3:00 – 7:00 PM


Where: Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South (on the south side of Washington Square Park, between Thompson and Sullivan Streets.)


Presenters include: Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara, Michele Laporte, Josh Korda, Ellen Scordato, Donna Walker-Kuhne, Koshin Paley Ellison, Myoji Sunim, Janet Jiryu Abels Sensei, Rev. Dr. Chung Ok Lee.



Free Meditation Instruction at Open Houses Throughout NYC:

November 9 – 15



For 2500 years, Buddhism has taught meditation as a means of cultivating tranquility, kindness, and wisdom. Ongoing scientific research confirms meditation’s positive effects on body and mind. With instruction by teachers from myriad Buddhist schools, Meditate NYC is an accessible way to find out what various approaches to meditation involve and what the benefits are.


Anyone who is interested in meditation is encouraged to attend any and all events. More information, including detailed locations for the Open Houses, is available at  HYPERLINK "http://meditatenyc.org/" http://meditatenyc.org/ .


Meditate NYC is sponsored by the New York Buddhist Council

and co-sponsored by Tricycle: The Buddhist Review


Wednesday, October 7, 2009

That Was Zen, This is Now

I was walking through the meatpacking district on my way home from the zendo last evening.

There I saw two billboards, one on top of the other, which caught my eye:




Blanche Hartman Roshi often says that she really has only one teaching: "Just this is it."

Her student, Jana Drakka, has shortened it to: "This!" 

Even Zen kitsch is "it."




A student once asked Suzuki Roshi: "If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound?"

Suzuki Roshi answered: "It doesn't matter."