Baikaryu Eisanka 6-7pm– Japanese Plum Blossom Style Hymns with bells. Today we will be reviewing and singing ‘Sanbo Gowasan – English: Hymns of the Three Treasures’ .. as well as continuing to learn ‘Magokoro Ni Ikiru – English: Living with a True Heart’ in person only – Contact Zen’etsu @ zenjoyclay@gmail.com for more information
Baika Vows we chant before beginning of practice:
We will live according to proper teachings through baikaryu eisanka.
We will live in harmony with others through baikaryu eisanka.
We will create a cheerful world around us through baikaryu eisanka.
Dharma Tea on Tuesdays led by Rev. Seido David Sarpal on the topic “The Citrus Experience: A Visit to the Todolí Foundation” – online only
Todolí Citrus Fundació is a project born from the natural reaction of Vicente Todolí to his family’s link to citrus growing and the urbanistic threat that could put an end to that memory. Today, with nearly 500 varieties from all corners of the planet, this orchard is probably the largest collection of citrus fruits grown outdoors in the world.
Twelve ABZ members met up at the NorthEast side of Farragut Park NW for a sunlit walk to the Lincoln Memorial Grounds. Over the past months many people had been following the travels of the Peace Monks on Pilgrimage from Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas to Washington D.C. Wednesday at 2:30pm they were slated to arrive at the Lincoln Memorial grounds where thousands of Washingtonians were gathered to silently greet the monks and offer support for their message of practicing peaceful behaviors to create a peaceful world. It was a lovely day!
Meet up at Farragut Park NW
Photo by Kim Downes
Our ABZS Ino Seidō and our recent Benji Marcella enjoying the bright winter light reflected off the snow and Washington Monument.
Thursday evening practice . Jan 15th, 2026 7:00pm in person and online. – Join All Beings Zen Sangha for a short period of zazen and a talk from our guest speaker Rev. Shudo Paula Lazarz.
Rev. Shudo Paula Lazarz is a 6th degree Black Sashōin Shaolin Kung Fu and an ordained priest in the Soto Zen lineage of Shunryu Suzuki. Her over two decades of study in the martial arts and Buddhist practice has been an exploration of the idea of the historical Shaolin Temple, culminating in Warrior’s Path Buddhist Academy. Paula is a co-owner of Energy Fitness, Inc., Head Instructor at HealthKick Kung Fu and a Practice Leader at Ancient Dragon Zen Gate.
Tonight we will have a short service followed by two periods of Zazen with an interval of Kinhin (5 minutes of slow walking in between). We will have our monthly pass the feather sharing and conclude by chanting the refuges in Pali. Please feel welcome to stay on zoom if you are able to share greetings with the sangha.
Please put your zoom in gallery mode, and keep your video link on while muting your mic until the end of the service – Feel welcome to face away from your device camera while keeping your presence visible in the frame for others in attendance to see and know you are there. Please refrain from moving your device around while others are sitting zazen with you.
Order of Service (text available at highlighted links)
Taken refuge with All Beings Zen Make a year end contribution to keep the lights on
For 22 years the All Beings Zen Sangha has supported the practice of Zen in the Metropolitan Washington DC area. In 2025 we hosted Sesshins (zen meditation retreats), forest bathing, mountain and beach zen group gatherings, dharma study events and temple arts activities. Members of the sangha have represented ABZS at both the National and International level. We brought back knowledge on ways to support and sustain the thriving zen community we all desire. Help us continue to thrive by providing a financial donation as we move into the new year of 2026.
In addition to supporting these activities and events, your dana also allows us to offset basic expenses associated with the zendo such as food and materials for retreats, maintenance, utilities and other fees.
Below are just a few photos of our diverse and engaging practice opportunities during the year 2025.
***Zendo Closed and most activities are cancaled from Tuesday December 23nd, 2025 – Thursday January 1st, 2026 ***Our normal schedule will resume on Friday January 2nd, 2026
The All Beings Zen Sangha welcomes and affirms all who come here to seek the Way, and who will work toward respectful acceptance of others across our many differences, harmonizing the one and the many.
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