The Buffalo Zen Dharma Community is meeting in person with full services at Westminster Presbyterian Church just as we did before COVID. For more information, you can use the contact information at the bottom of this page to ask questions or keep in touch with the latest news.
What is Zen practice?
The study and practice of Zen can be done in different ways. Here at the Buffalo Zen Dharma Community, the main practice is meditation (zazen). For formal students of the Mountains and Rivers Order there are eight "gates" or ways of practicing Zen. The seven other ways of practicing Zen are: studying with a teacher, Buddhist academic study, liturgy, right action, art practice, body practice and work practice. The practice of zazen is emphasized here since it is the most important practice.
For those interested in visiting and possibly joining us:
Please join us in person on the first Tuesday of the month for an introduction and orientation to our practice. To do this, please click [email protected] here or below in the "Contact us" footer below. Please also click Join our mailing list today here or below so that basic contact information can be collected and you contacted by us to give you the latest meeting information. If you have little to no meditation training, then please click on the two links below ("Zazen instructions," and "Arranging the body for zazen") and watch the video. A dedicated sangha member will contact you about how you can join us on Tuesday night for our weekly program and our other practice events.
Zazen instructions
Arranging the body for zazen
Please join us in person on the first Tuesday of the month for an introduction and orientation to our practice. To do this, please click [email protected] here or below in the "Contact us" footer below. Please also click Join our mailing list today here or below so that basic contact information can be collected and you contacted by us to give you the latest meeting information. If you have little to no meditation training, then please click on the two links below ("Zazen instructions," and "Arranging the body for zazen") and watch the video. A dedicated sangha member will contact you about how you can join us on Tuesday night for our weekly program and our other practice events.
Zazen instructions
Arranging the body for zazen
To watch a short introduction to Zen meditation by John Daido Loori, Roshi Zen Mountain Monastery's former and founding abbot, click on the video below.
Other practice events within the Buffalo Zen Dharma Community:
Almost every month we have a half-day meditation event on a weekend day. An email notice goes out to Buffalo Zen Dharma Community members the week of the event. In addition there have been occasional events such as outside nature walks, other meditation events, and social events. Announcements for these events come in an email put out prior to the events
Other practice events through the Mountains and Rivers Order:
Through our affiliation with the Mountains and Rivers Order and its home at Zen Mountain Monastery there are various events available online during COVID for those interested in Buddhist practice. Please explore the link below:
Zen Mountain Monastery Online Programs