Jun
23
to Jul 28

The Ten Ox-Herding Pictures

  • Milwaukee Zen Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

One of the traditional supports for Zen training are the Ten Oxherding Pictures with accompanying poems and commentaries from ancient and modern Chan and Zen masters. They describe the practitioner’s progress towards enlightenment and the return to ordinary life with ‘gift-bestowing hands’.

In this six-week class we will use John Daido Loori’s translation and commentary:
RIDING THE OX HOME. Stages on the Path of Enlightenment
(Unfortunately this book is fairly old. Please let me know if you have trouble buying it.)

Class Fee for non-members: $60.00
Please sign up by email to info@mkzen.org

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Jul
5
7:00 AM07:00

Interdependence One-Day Sesshin

Join us for a celebration of INTERDEPENDENCE by sitting in silence, contemplating our interbeing with all there is. Depending on the weather, there will be a silent river walk in the afternoon.

We will have two formal vegan meals. Please bring you own oryoki bowls or borrow them from us.

Please register by sending an email to info@mkzen.org.

Fee for non-members is $30, and membership discounts apply.

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Jul
10
7:40 AM07:40

FULL MOON Bodhisattva Ceremony

Every month, on the full moon morning, we renew our bodhisattva precepts in an ancient ceremony:
this month, on Monday, July 10, at 7:40 am, in the place of morning service, after zazen.
The whole morning will be available on ZOOM.

The full moon has a special meaning in Zen: As it is reflected in each dewdrop, so is buddhanature reflected in each of us.

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Jul
22
6:30 PM18:30

BOOK CLUB: Becoming Yourself

A BOOK CLUB is a new teaching/learning format for us. It will be ongoing, every second and fourth Tuesday evening, from 6:30 until 7:30 pm. Please make a commitment to attend whenever you can. No fee.

Note: I have pre-ordered the book from SFZC Bookstore, where we will get a discount.

A new book of talks by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi is coming out that has been in the works for seven years. The current abbot at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, write this:

In 2018, I had the good fortune to begin work with Sojun Mel Weitsman on a new book of talks by Suzuki Roshi, drawn from jewels of his teachings that Sojun had been squirreling aside over the decades to someday publish. In the years that followed, we spent countless hours at his desk at Berkeley Zen Center, over tea at Green Gulch, and, through the pandemic, over Zoom, puzzling over Suzuki Roshi’s words, laughing, appreciating—always moved by the depth, joy, and subtlety of his teaching. After Sojun’s death in 2021, I continued as best I could to complete the project in the spirit that he had so kindly shown me.

Now, finally, the fruit of our efforts is ready to share: Becoming Yourself: Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki will be published by Tarcher/Penguin Random House on July 15, 2025. This first new collection of Suzuki Roshi’s talks in over two decades—which, in addition to sections on zazen and daily life practice, collects for the first time his teachings on the Bodhisattva Precepts—is truly a big moment for our sangha and lineage.

In deep gratitude to all those who have kept Suzuki Roshi’s words and practice alive over the decades,

Abbot Jiryu

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Jun
21
10:30 AM10:30

Summer Solstice Celebration

The Summer Solstice will occur on Friday, June 20, and it will be both the longest day and shortest night of 2025 in the Northern Hemisphere. The earth’s north pole will be tilting towards the sun at 23 degrees, and we will experience more than 15 hours of sunlight. This marks the beginning of summer, and temperatures rise. Many culture celebrate this annual occurrence with joyful festivals.
The exact time of the solstice will be 9:42 CT, and we will celebrate it during the Half-Day Sitting on Saturday.

Please feel free to bring contributions!

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Jun
21
7:00 AM07:00

HALF-DAY Sitting

Enjoy a morning of Zen practice in noble silence.
Beginning students are welcome.

There will be periods of zazen (sitting meditation), kinhin (walking meditation), bowing and chanting services, a period of soji (work practice) and oryoki practice (formal meal).

In the place of the dharma talk, we will celebrate the Summer Solstice. Please bring words of the season to share!

We offer a vegan breakfast. Let us know if you have any dietary needs. Bring your own oryoki bowls or borrow some from us.

Fee: $20 for non-members; membership discount applies.
Please register by email: info@mkzen.org

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Jun
11
7:40 AM07:40

FULL MOON Bodhisattva Ceremony

Every month, on the full moon morning, we renew our bodhisattva precepts in an ancient ceremony:
this month, on Monday, June 11, at 7:40 am, in the place of morning service, after zazen.
The whole morning will be available on ZOOM.

The full moon has a special meaning in Zen: As it is reflected in each dewdrop, so is buddhanature reflected in each of us.

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May
17
7:00 AM07:00

HALF-DAY Sitting

Enjoy a morning free from the usual hustle and bustle and sit with us in serene stillness!
There will be periods of sitting meditation, walking meditation, bowing and chanting services and formal meal practice (oryoki)

We offer a vegetarian breakfast. Let us know if you have any dietary needs. Bring your own oryoki bowls or borrow some from us.

Fee: $20 for non-members; membership discount applies.
Please register by email: info@mkzen.org

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May
12
7:30 AM07:30

FULL MOON Bodhisattva Ceremony

Every month, on the full moon morning, we renew our bodhisattva precepts in an ancient ceremony:
this month, on Monday, May 12, at 7:30 am, in the place of morning service, after zazen.
The whole morning will be available on ZOOM.

The full moon has a special meaning in Zen: As it is reflected in each dewdrop, so is buddhanature reflected in each of us.

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May
11
2:00 PM14:00

BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAY Celebration

BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

MAY 11, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
at THE OAKS of Shorewood
3900 Estabrook Parkway, Shorewood

After the traditional ceremony of bathing the baby buddha,
there will be birthday cake, music, poetry etc.
for everyone (you need not be a Buddhist)!
Children are very welcome!

contact for more information: Reirin at info@mkzen.org



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May
4
10:15 AM10:15

DANCING with the BENEFACTORS

Today’s Dharma talk will be given by guest speaker Rev. Taizen Dale Verkuilen, He will introduce a book by his late wife and collaborator Rev. Renshin Barbara Verkuilen:
Dancing with the Benefactors: Exploring the Wisdom of the Flower Ornament Sutra.

You may familiarize yourself beforehand with the book:
a free PDF of the book is available on
firethroatpress.com in Study Guides

About Renshin Verkuilen
The author trained as a psychotherapist, practicing for twenty years in various Wisconsin locations. She studied and practiced Zen Buddhism for fifty-five years under a number of teachers. She co-founded the Midwest Soto Zen Community and it publishing arm, Firethroat Press. She is also the author of four books and numerous study guides. Her association with the psychotherapist, David Grove, and his non-interpretative, supposition-free approach to accessing intuitive knowledge, produced two innovative adaptations – Metaphor Awareness and Enhanced Emergent Knowledge – both of which were integral to her counseling therapy and Zen practice.

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May
3
7:00 AM07:00

ZAZENKAI and WORK Day

Join us for a peaceful day of silent sitting, walking meditation, a short dharma talk, moving meditation, chanting services and two formal meals, oryoki breakfast and lunch. Oryoki bowls can be borrowed.
The food is vegetarian, and you may contact Reirin with special needs.

In the afternoon, there will be soji, work practice. We will be working at several tasks in silence.

The day ends with one period of zazen and evening service.

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Apr
22
9:00 AM09:00

EARTH DAY Ceremony and River Walk

Please join us for a short ceremony in honor of EARTH DAY 2025 and a leisurely walk along the Milwaukee River. We’ll meet at 9 am at the Arch in the parking lot west of Urban Ecology Center.

You may join us in the zendo for our usual morning program at 6:10 am (or 7:00 for the second zazen period) and an informal breakfast.

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Apr
19
10:30 AM10:30

FULL MOON Bodhisattva Ceremony

Every month, on the full moon morning, we renew our bodhisattva precepts in an ancient ceremony. It is not necessary to have received the Buddhist precepts in order to join in this celebration, as these are universal values.

This month it will take place on Saturday, April 19, at 10:30am, during the Half-Day Sitting.
The whole morning will be available on ZOOM.

The full moon has a special meaning in Zen: As it is reflected in each dewdrop, so is buddhanature reflected in each of us.

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Apr
19
7:00 AM07:00

HALF-DAY Sitting and FULL MOON Bodhisattva Ceremony

You are invited to a peaceful morning of silent sitting. This is a good start for a beginning sitter, to try out a longer period.

The FULL MOON CEREMONY that was scheduled for April 12 will be conducted today, in place of the moving meditation (plenty of moving due to the many bows!). You need not have any experience to join in.

We offer a vegetarian oryoki breakfast. Let Reirin know if you have any dietary needs. Bring your own oryoki bowls or borrow some from us.

Fee: $20 for non-members
Please register by email: info@mkzen.org



SCHEDULE
7:00 am zazen
7:30 kinhin
7:40 zazen
8:10 morning service
8:20 oryoki breakfast
9:00 soji and break

9:40 zazen
10:10 dharma talk
10:30 Full Moon Ceremony
11:00 break

11:10 zazen
11:40 kinhin
11:50 zazen
12:20pm noon service
12:30 end of day

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Apr
1
to May 20

The Roots of Goodness

  • Milwaukee Zen Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Three eras of Buddha Dharma are combined in this new publication:
THE ROOTS OF GOODNESS

The Buddha taught that every person is capable of greatness by practicing eight key qualities in their life, from having few desires and not engaging in useless arguments to knowing what is enough. These timeless teachings were later expanded upon by the prolific thirteenth-century Zen master Eihei Dōgen in his final teaching before his death—values that, despite their age, perennially ring true.
In The Roots of Goodness, the late Japanese Zen teacher Kōshō Uchiyama Rōshi bridges the gap between the eras of these ancient masters and today, delivering insightful, relatable, and rich commentary that brings these eight qualities into focus and directly applies them to the complexities of modern life.

DAITSŪ TOM WRIGHT was born and raised in Wisconsin. After being active in the civil rights and anti–Vietnam War movements, he went to Japan in 1967 and lived there for over forty years, teaching English and other subjects at Ryukoku University in Kyoto. He was ordained by Uchiyama Kōshō Rōshi as a Buddhist priest in 1974 and continued to receive his teachings until 1998, the same year that Wright received transmission from Takamine Dōyū Rōshi.
(quoted from Shambala Publications)

The course text, the book by Daitsu Tom Wright, The Roots of Goodness. Zen Master Dogen's Teaching on the Eight Qualities of a Great Person, will be available for $20.00 at MZC.

Please sign up by email at info@mkzen.org
Suggested donation $60.00 for non-members of MZC

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Mar
20
11:30 AM11:30

VERNAL EQUINOX and Potluck Lunch

Celebrations of the year’s seasonal milestones is an important part of the Buddhist liturgy.

The Vernal Equinox marks the beginning of Spring in the Northern hemisphere, and from now on the days will be getting longer again. Animals and plants respond to the increase in sunlight and get ready for life and procreation.

Buddhists are aware of our deep connection with all other creatures, and we joyfully take part in a ceremony of gratitude for the generous offerings that we are receiving all year around.

Please be prepared to share a poem or song in the special service on this auspicious day, as we reflect on the teachings of impermanence and interdependence.

After the celebration, we will meet for a potluck lunch.

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Mar
15
7:00 AM07:00

Half-Day Sitting and FULL MOON Ceremony

Today we will celebrate the Full Moon Bodhisattva Ceremony after the dharma talk.
Everybody is welcome to join!

We offer a vegetarian oryoki breakfast. Let Reirin know if you have any dietary needs. Bring your own oryoki bowls or borrow some from us.

You may also join by zoom. Please use the button on the homepage.


Suggested donation: $20 for non-members.
Please register by email: info@mkzen.org

SCHEDULE
7:00 am zazen
7:30 kinhin
7:40 zazen

8:10 morning service
8:20 oryoki breakfast
9:00 soji and break

9:40 zazen
10:10 dharma talk
10:30 Full Moon Bodhisattva Ceremony

11:00 break
11:10 zazen
11:40 kinhin
11:50 zazen

12:20 pm noon service
12:30 end of day

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Feb
18
to Mar 25

THE HEART SUTRA - Gone Beyond

  • Milwaukee Zen Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Heart of Great Perfect Wisdom Sutra (Prajna Paramita Hridaya Sutra in Sanskrit) is the shortest of all Mahayana sutras and is chanted daily in temples all over the world. It presents the teaching of emptiness as the major doctrine of the Mahayana schools, but is not easy to understand for an uninitiated practitioner. “The popularity of the Heart Sutra … lies not only in its brevity but also in the elusiveness of its meaning.” (Mu Soeng)

This class seeks to clarify the seemingly mysterious content, which promises awakening to the true nature of reality and freedom from suffering once and for all. Thich Nhat Hanh, the late Vietnamese Buddhist teacher offered a new translation and commentary in an attempt to make the Heart Sutra accessible for us.

This course can be understood as a continuation of the previous class on Buddhist Psychology, but can also be taken on its own.

Course Text: Thich Nhat Hanh, THE OTHER SHORE. A New Translation of the Heart Sutra With Commentaries

Class fee: $60.00
Registration by email to info@mkzen.org

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Feb
15
10:30 AM10:30

BUDDHA'S PARINIRVANA

February 15 is the traditional date for the commemoration of Shakyamuni Buddha’s death and his passing into Parinirvana. It is a solemn ceremony with offerings, a reading, chanting and circumambulation of the altar. It will take place during the Half-Day Sitting, in the place of the moving meditation at 10:30 am.

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Feb
15
7:00 AM07:00

HALF-DAY SITTING and Parinirvana Ceremony

You are invited to a peaceful morning of silent sitting. This is a good start for a beginning sitter, to try out a longer period.

Today, on the day of the Buddha’s death, we will celebrate his entry into Parinirvana.

We offer a vegetarian oryoki breakfast. Let Reirin know if you have any dietary needs. Bring your own oryoki bowls or borrow some from us.

Fee: $20 for non-members; membership discount applies.
Please register by email: info@mkzen.org

You may also join by Zoom: 349 905 3117 password: 2825

SCHEDULE
7:00 am zazen
7:30 kinhin
7:40 zazen

8:10 morning service
8:20 oryoki breakfast
9:00 soji and break

9:40 zazen
10:10 dharma talk
10:30 Parinirvana Ceremony

11:00 break
11:10 zazen
11:40 kinhin
11:50 zazen

12:20 pm noon service
12:30 end of day

View Event →
Feb
12
7:30 AM07:30

FULL MOON Bodhisattva Ceremony

Every month, on the full moon morning, we renew our bodhisattva precepts in an ancient ceremony. It is not necessary to have received the Buddhist precepts in order to join in this celebration, as these are universal values.

This month it will take place on Wednesday, February 12, at 7:30 am, in the place of morning service, after zazen.
The whole morning will be available on ZOOM.

The full moon has a special meaning in Zen: As it is reflected in each dewdrop, so is buddhanature reflected in each of us.

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Feb
1
7:00 AM07:00

ONE-DAY SESSHIN

Join us for a peaceful day of silent sitting, walking meditation, a short dharma talk, moving and/or outdoor walking meditation, chanting services and two formal meals.

There will be time for dokusan. Please sign up.

This event will be broadcast by zoom teleconferencing.
Use the same zoom link as usual by clicking on the button on the website.

We will have formal oryoki breakfast and lunch. Oryoki bowls can be borrowed.
The food is vegetarian, and you may contact me with special needs.

Please register by sending an email to info@mkzen.org.

Fee for non-members is $30, and membership discounts apply.

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Jan
18
7:00 AM07:00

Half-Day Sitting

You are invited to a peaceful morning of silent sitting. This is a good start for a beginning sitter, to try out a longer period.

We offer a vegetarian oryoki breakfast. Let Reirin know if you have any dietary needs. Bring your own oryoki bowls or borrow some from us.

Fee: $20 for non-members; membership discount applies.
Please register by email: info@mkzen.org

You may also join by Zoom: 349 905 3117 password: 2825

SCHEDULE
7:00 am zazen
7:30 kinhin
7:40 zazen

8:10 morning service
8:20 oryoki breakfast
9:10 soji and break

10:00 zazen
10:30 dharma talk
11:00 short break

11:10 zazen
11:40 kinhin
11:50 zazen

12:20 pm noon service
12:30 end of day

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Jan
13
7:30 AM07:30

FULL MOON Bodhisattva Ceremony

Every month, on the full moon morning, we renew our bodhisattva precepts in an ancient ceremony:
This month, we will celebrate it on Monday, January 13, at 7:30 am, in the place of morning service, after zazen.
The whole morning will be available on ZOOM.

The full moon has a special meaning in Zen: As it is reflected in each dewdrop, so is buddhanature reflected in each of us.



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Jan
6
to Feb 10

The SIX REALMS - Buddhist Psychology

  • Milwaukee Zen Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

This six-weeks’ class deals with the problems of our lives and how we can learn to overcome them, in fact create a permanently peaceful mind.
At any time in our lives we may find ourselves in one of several mind states that Buddhist psychology compares to the Six Realms of Samsara: the realm of hungry ghosts, hell realm, animal realm, the realm of the jealous titans, the gods or that of humans. All these are ruled by Yama, the God of Death.

Please familiarize yourself with the course Text by Karuna Cayton, THE MISLEADING MIND. How We Create Our Own Problems and How Buddhist Psychology Can Help Us Solve Them

It is recommended to participate in person, which makes the discussion more lively and enjoyable, but zoom will also be available. Please use the button on the homepage.

Registration by email to info@mkzen.org
Suggested Donation: $60.00

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Jan
1
11:00 AM11:00

BPF New Year's Peace Gathering



2025 New Year's Peace Gathering
and Potluck

January 1, 2025, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
hosted by Milwaukee Zen Center
2825 N Stowell Ave, Milwaukee

11:00 am Welcome and Introduction
11:10 Silent Meditation
11:15 Loving Kindness Meditation
11:20 Sangha Leaders present teachings from their tradition
11:40 Open Sharing
12:15 pm Lunch and Socializing

Donations to BPF are greatly appreciated!

(checks may be made out to Milwaukee Zen Center, marked BPF)



The Buddhist Peace Fellowship
of Milwaukee

You may bring to share:

  • reflections or readings on peace

  • a dish for lunch

  • clean socks for unhoused people

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Dec
31
to Jan 1

NEW YEAR'S EVE Sitting

  • Milwaukee Zen Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Everyone is invited to our traditional New Year’s Sitting with alternate periods of zazen and walking meditation from 8:00 pm until midnight. In this last night of the year, let us reflect on the past 12 months, and consider our intentions for the future.

At around 9:30 pm there will be a break for a snack of Japanese noodles.
At 11:45 pm the bell will be struck 108 times by the attendees.

Afterwards everybody is invited to write on a piece of paper what they would like to let go of, and these items will be offered in a fire ceremony at the end.

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Dec
21
5:30 PM17:30

WINTER SOLSTICE

Nature’s great cycle is celebrated in Buddhist practice with acknowledgement of impermanence and change, and also the wisdom that is behind our experience. We are aware that our inner light shines bright with wonder, awe, and gratitude for the life that we have been given and that we share with the universe.

As we celebrate the Winter Solstice, we recognize darkness as a necessary part of the yearly renewal, and we know that this darkness is not absolute: in the dark there is light, even if we don’t see it as light.

At this time, we value our intimate relationship with friends and family and gather to share meals and stories.

This year, just like last year, I would like to invite the whole sangha for 20 minutes of zazen, ceremony and potluck! If you can, please bring music, a poem or story of the season, as well as a vegetarian dish to share!

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Dec
16
7:30 AM07:30

FULL MOON Bodhisattva Ceremony

Every month, on the full moon morning, we renew our bodhisattva precepts in an ancient ceremony:
This month, we will celebrate it on Monday, December 16, at 7:30 am, in the place of morning service, after zazen.
The whole morning will be available on ZOOM.

The full moon has a special meaning in Zen: As it is reflected in each dewdrop, so is buddhanature reflected in each of us.

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Dec
8
10:30 AM10:30

BUDDHA'S ENLIGHTENMENT CEREMONY

Shakyamuni Buddha made a vow that he would sit in meditation until he found the truth. On the morning of the seventh day of his meditation, he saw the morning star and experienced enlightenment. This ceremony commemorates that moment. It includes chanting accompanied by a drum during a circumambulation of the Buddha Hall, while flowers rain from the sky.

At Milwaukee Zen Center we continue the tradition to emulate the Buddha’s Awakening on December 8. Please join us this year for Sunday zazen at 9:30 am, a short talk and the ceremony at 10:30 am. Afterwards we will share tea and cookies as usual. No registration is necessary.

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Dec
2
to Dec 7

ROHATSU SESSHIN at Hokyoji

  • Milwaukee Zen Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Milwaukee Zen Center joins Hokyoji Zen Community in this year’s ROHATSU SESSHIN. We will be leaving early, on Saturday, December 7, in order to be back in our zendo on December 8, for the Rohatsu (Enlightenment) Ceremony.
Please register directly at https://hokyoji.org/event/rohatsu-sesshin/
We are granted a discount. You may click 20% membership discount when you sign up.

Photo by Hoko Karnegis

What a world we are living in! The ancient sages knew this too, including the Buddha. The beautiful line from the Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi reads, "The ancient sages grieved for them (us), and offered them the Dharma." This line will be our overarching theme for Rohatsu sesshin this December. We will explore stories of the Buddha’s spontaneous teaching as he wandered the countryside, meeting living beings just as they were, and offering them illumination, not separate from the very world they found themselves living in. Together may we be inspired to receive the Dharma that melts away the root of suffering.

Retreat Leaders

Rev. Myo-O Habermas-Scher practiced with Katagiri Roshi from 1975 until his death in 1990; she also trained for twelve years in the Vipassana tradition. She received Dharma transmission in 2012 from Dokai at Hokyoji. Myo-O is a master movement teacher and teaches somatically based vocal training. In 2021 she retired after fourteen years as an interfaith staff chaplain at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, MHealth Fairview. She is also a mom and a grandmother to two little grandsons.

Rev. Kyoku Tracey Walen was ordained in 2008 and given Dharma transmission by Byakuren Judith Ragir in 2015. Her training included three years at Great Vow Zen Monastery and study with Thich Nhat Hanh at Plum Village. She lives at Hokyoji where she is a staff member and is also a teacher at Clouds in Water Zen Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

View Event →
Nov
16
7:00 AM07:00

HALF-DAY Sitting

You are invited to a peaceful morning of silent sitting. This is a good start for a beginning sitter, to try out a longer period.

We offer a vegetarian oryoki breakfast. Let Reirin know if you have any dietary needs. Bring your own oryoki bowls or borrow some from us.

Fee: $20 for non-members; membership discount applies.
Please register by email: info@mkzen.org

You may also join by Zoom: 349 905 3117 password: 2825

SCHEDULE
7:00 am zazen
7:30 kinhin
7:40 zazen

8:10 morning service
8:20 oryoki breakfast
9:10 soji and break

10:00 zazen
10:30 dharma talk
11:00 short break

11:10 zazen
11:40 kinhin
11:50 zazen

12:20 pm noon service
12:30 end of day

View Event →
Nov
15
7:30 AM07:30

FULL MOON Bodhisattva Ceremony

Every month, on the full moon morning, we renew our bodhisattva precepts in an ancient ceremony:
This month, on Friday, at 7:30 am, in the place of morning service, after zazen.
The whole morning will be available on ZOOM.

The full moon has a special meaning in Zen: As it is reflected in each dewdrop, so is buddhanature reflected in each of us.

View Event →