Presently, the Buffalo Zen Dharma Community is meeting for their weekly Tuesday night meditation program via Zoom instead of at Westminster Presbyterian Church. For more information, please see the contact information at the bottom of this page.
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:
In the past, newcomers were asked to join us on the first Tuesday evening of each month for meditation (zazen) instruction and orientation to our practice. However, due to the COVID pandemic, we have suspended our Tuesday night program at Westminster Presbyterian Church until further notice. We have been meeting via Zoom Tuesday nights through email invitations and a Zoom link. If you have little to no meditation training, then please click on the two links ("Zazen instructions," and "Arranging the body for zazen") and watch the video below. Also please contact us through the "INFO@BUFFALOZEN.ORG" button below. 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
In the past, newcomers were asked to join us on the first Tuesday evening of each month for meditation (zazen) instruction and orientation to our practice. However, due to the COVID pandemic, we have suspended our Tuesday night program at Westminster Presbyterian Church until further notice. We have been meeting via Zoom Tuesday nights through email invitations and a Zoom link. If you have little to no meditation training, then please click on the two links ("Zazen instructions," and "Arranging the body for zazen") and watch the video below. Also please contact us through the "INFO@BUFFALOZEN.ORG" button below. 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. In the past, we would meet at the Network of Religious Communities and use a room in their basement for that purpose. However, due to the Network of Religious Communities building being closed during the COVID pandemic, we have been meeting via Zoom for this. 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, helping out on Refugee Day in Buffalo, participation in demonstrations, and tours. 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 many important events all of which are only available online during COVID for those interested in Buddhist practice. Please explore the link below:
Zen Mountain Monastery Online Programs