For those who may have missed it, Shinren Mark Stone’s talk about zen practice and technology was recently profiled by NPR. It’s an excellent write up.
For those who may have missed it, Shinren Mark Stone’s talk about zen practice and technology was recently profiled by NPR. It’s an excellent write up.
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.
Using the button or QR code below, you can make a one-time donation or set up a recurring monthly donation.
We now accept donations through Venmo. Get the app and search for “All Beings Zen Sangha.”
Checks can be mailed to:
All Beings Zen Sangha
27290 Woodburn Hill Road
Mechanicsville, MD 20659
or to:
All Beings Zen Sangha
C/O Rev. Inryū Ponce-Barger,
2801 Adams Mill Road NW 402
Washington DC 20009
To join us via zoom use this link. If asked for a password use 464108
Way Seeking Mind Talk by Eishin Mike Barreda following a brief period of zazen.
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.
Tuesday Dharma Tea: 2pm – 2:45pm led by Eshō Beth Milligan. Topic “Let’s Talk About Sangha” based on the book ‘Buddhism After Patriarchy’ Use this link to join. If asked for a password use 842721
We start with 5 minutes of silent tea drinking. Shōku Cristina will offer information on the topic.
The dharma tea concludes at 2:45pm Eastern. All are welcome.
For the All Beings Zen Sangha Tuesday Teas at Two, a topic is introduced and then a few questions are proposed for discussion by those present. The Teas are online only.
We start with 5 minutes of silent tea drinking. Shōku Cristina will offer information on the topic.
The dharma tea concludes at 2:45pm Eastern. All are welcome.
*** Please support the sangha financially if you can*** See sidebar for methods to donate.
Here is the Zoom link to join in the cloud zendo, password if needed: 955165
Tonight we will have a short service followed by one period of Zazen with an interval of Kinhin (5 minutes of slow walking in between). Then Shõku Cristina Benavides will offer a Way Seeking Mind Talk. We will 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.
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)
Greeting by the Kokyo
26 Minute Zazen Period
5 minutes of Kinhin (slow walking)
Way Seeking Mind Talk by Shõku
Refuges in Pali
Brief Check in and announcements
To join us via zoom use this link. If asked for a password use 792230
Morning zazen and service order can be found here and the Frequently Used Chants page also has the chants used in the service.
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.
*ABZS does keep attendance for events to support programing and the welfare of the sangha.*
Tuesday November 14, 2023 – Tuesday Dharma Tea “Enjoy Your Life” by Shōku Cristina Benavides. Come join our Tuesday Dharma Tea talk as we learn about Shunryu Suzuki Roshi’s talk about “Enjoying your Life”. Online only. Join by using this link. If asked for a password use 842721.
We start with 5 minutes of silent tea drinking. Shōku Cristina will offer information on the topic.
The dharma tea concludes at 2:45pm Eastern. All are welcome.
For the All Beings Zen Sangha Tuesday Teas at Two, a topic is introduced and then a few questions are proposed for discussion by those present. The Teas are online only.
We start with 5 minutes of silent tea drinking. Shōku Cristina will offer information on the topic.
The dharma tea concludes at 2:45pm Eastern. All are welcome.
*** Please support the sangha financially if you can*** See sidebar for methods to donate.
Sunday November 12, 2023 – Full Day Sit – Starting at 6:30am for early-birds (includes breakfast and lunch) or 9:00am for late-joiners (includes lunch) ending at 4:30pm at Urban Zendo in person and online – Zazen, kinhin, oryoki breakfast and lunch. Use this link to join. If asked for a password use 566800 . In person and onlline only.
To join us via zoom use this link. If asked for a password use 693631
Way Seeking Mind Talk by Suzanne Ehrenhalt in the morning, following a brief period of zazen. in person and online.
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.
*ABZS does keep attendance for events to support programing and the welfare of the sangha.*
American Buddhists Call on President Joe Biden for an Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza. See link below
Tuesday November 7, 2023 – Tuesday Dharma Tea “The Life of Mahaprajapati pt 2” by Zen’Etsu Clay Crowell. Come join our Tuesday Dharma Tea talk as we unravel second-part of the life of Mahaprajapati, the Buddha’s Aunt/Mother. Online only. Join by using this link. If asked for a password use 842721.
For the All Beings Zen Sangha Tuesday Teas at Two, a topic is introduced and then a few questions are proposed for discussion by those present. The Teas are online only.
We start with 5 minutes of silent tea drinking. Zen’etsu Clay Crowell (our Fall 2023 Benji) will offer information on the second half of the life of “Mahaprajapati”.
The dharma tea concludes at 2:45pm Eastern. All are welcome.
Take a peak into our annual Sejiki Ceremony, 2023!
Sejiki is a traditional Soto Zen ceremony in which participants come to appease what are known as pretas, or “hungry ghosts” in Buddhist cosmology. These hungry ghosts are beings who have an abundance of cravings, yet are unable to get any satisfaction. This type of being can represent not only these ghosts, but also the inexhaustible desires that we may have in ourselves/society as well.
In this ceremony, it is custom to invite various instruments to cling-clang-bang (bottom left photo), in order to invoke these hungry ghosts to come to our peaceful offering. From here, we recite well-wishing chants such as ‘Gate of Sweet Dew,’ have sweets and treats displayed as offerings, and finally send them off, hoping that they were nourished. At this time, we also say aloud and burn the name-cards from our Zendo altar of those who have departed within the year.
Below are pictures from our All Beings Sejiki Ceremony, and if you would like to see the music video of our gathering, please go to our facebook page here: All Beings Zen Sejiki Ceremony 2023