All events in Eastern Standard Time
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 6:30am Morning Zazen – 40 minute period of zazen followed by a short service. In person and online see www.allbeingszen.org home page to sign in
Thursday April 24, 2025 7- 8:15pm Evening Zazen – Evening Service with one period of Zazen and one interval of 5 minute kinhin (slow walking) followed by Dharma Talk. In person and online – visit www.allbeingszen.org home page to sign in.
***ABZS Affinity Groups ***
Sundays 5-6pm Healing Circle – every Sunday. Contact Shinren markstone1924@gmail.com Online only
Monthly Dharma Book Club – contact Shoku @ cristinamariabenavides@gmail.com Online only.
May 19, 6pm — Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi that tells the story of a café in Tokyo where customers can travel back in time, but they must return before their coffee gets cold. The book, originally a play, is described as a quirky and life-affirming tale that explores themes of love, loss, and the choices we make. It has gained popularity for its unique premise and emotional depth, making it a beloved read for many.
June 23, 6pm — Tokyo Ueno Station by Yu Miri, translated by Morgan Giles
Born in Fukushima in 1933, the same year as the Emperor, Kazu’s life is tied by a series of coincidences to Japan’s Imperial family and to one particular spot in Tokyo; the park near Ueno Station – the same place his unquiet spirit now haunts in death. It is here that Kazu’s life in Tokyo began, as a labourer in the run up to the 1964 Olympics, and later where he ended his days, living in the park’s vast homeless ‘villages’, traumatised by the destruction of the 2011 tsunami and enraged by the announcement of the 2020 Olympics. Akutagawa-award-winning author Yū Miri uses her outsider’s perspective as a Zainichi (Korean-Japanese) writer to craft a novel of utmost importance to this moment, a powerful rebuke to the Imperial system and a sensitive, deeply felt depiction of the lives of Japan’s most vulnerable people.
August 24, 6pm — The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson **please note this is a fairly complex book which is why we are taking two months for it.
The Years of Rice and Salt is an Alternate History novel by writer Kim Stanley Robinson. The story spans hundreds of years, from the army of the Muslim conqueror Timur to the 21st century. The novel depicts world history in an alternate timeline where the Black Plague epidemic that ravaged Europe in the 14th century was even more destructive, killing 90% of the European population. The story includes Europe being re-populated by Muslim pioneers, the indigenous peoples of the Americas forming a league to resist Chinese and Muslim invaders, and a 67-year-long world war being fought primarily between Muslim states and the Chinese and their allies
Baikaryu Eisanka – Japanese Plum Blossom Style Hymns with bells. in person only Tuesdays – 1st and 3rd monthly 6-7pm – The current song we are learning is “Magokoro ni Ikiru” which means “Living with a Sincere Heart” Contact Zen’etsu @ zenjoyclay@gmail.com for more information.
2025 – this week
Ongoing Zen Sewing Class First and Third Thursdays and Sunday- 10am to noon – urban zendo In person only. Next class is 5/8 rsvp to inryu@allbeingszen.org
Saturday May 24, 2025 10am-2pm – Half Day Zen Retreat and Vegetarian Lunch at Woodburn Hill, MD – Join All Beings Zen Sangha members for a half day retreat followed by a Potluck Lunch in the Main House. Email Inryū for questions, carpool info or to sign up. Inryu@allbeingszen.org. In-person only
Zazen and Chanting in the Great Room of the Phoenix House followed by an hour of work practice (both outdoor and indoor work activities are available).
May 25, 2025 – Forest Bathing 10-12am – Immerse yourself in the practice of forest bathing led by Zen’etsu Clay, where we will be entering into several different sensory-based innovations in nature. This gentle, meditative walk fosters connection with the more-than-human world and with one another, including time for sharing circles. The morning will conclude with tea and a light snack (will both be provided). Location TBD, please contact Zen’etsu if interested in attending – a notice of further information will be sent out in the weeks prior.
June 25-29, 2025 – ABZS Visit to Green Gulch Farm/Green Dragon Temple Daily work practice and Dharma study activities. Registration details: $90/night for private room. Here is the booking link for sangha week at GGF.
Here is additional information about Sangha week. Saturday June 28 schedule below:
August Saturday 2nd – Wednesday 5th, 2025 – 5 day Summer Zen Retreat – Woodburn Hill, MD – Join All Beings Zen Sangha members for a five day retreat at our un-urban practice place in Southern Maryland. In-person only
September 15-18, 2025 – Suzuki Roshi Branching Streams Conference, Loyola University’s Retreat and Ecology Center, Woodstock, IL. More details to follow
October 23-26, 2025 – Annual U.S. Soto Zen Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii
Interested in attending? Please visit www.sotomission.com or www.sotomission.org to sign up for updates. Or register your interest by filling out this form