Jizo-an Zen Community
Meditation - Mindfulness - Benevolent Service - Community
Jizo-an Zen Community now makes its home in Cherry Hill, NJ, offering all our events at the new Zendo. Please see below for the latest information on In-Person and Livestreamed Zendo Events, and other ways to connect. You can also keep up with us through our Newsletter, our podcast, as well as Patreon and social media. If you are not currently receiving our Newsletter, you can add your name to our mailing list.
All of the following programs are offered at low cost or without a fee requirement. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so through the registration process, or via our Donation Page. Thank you for your support!
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Please note that if you are planning on attending any program in person, you can pay the program registration fee in person at the door. Registration online is only required if you will be attending the program online via Zoom. In-person registration can be paid by cash, or check made out to The Zen Society.
Upcoming In-Person & Online Zendo Programs (Zoom) for February 2026
THE EASE AND JOY OF MORNING MEDITATION: Online Only
Every day (7 Days/week, at 5:30am Online)
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​Zazen is the dharma gate of great ease and joy
— this is the standard that Master Dogen lays down.
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Join us for a morning of meditation where we sit with ease and intimacy. We spend this time together in self-exploration and investigation. It is ideal for beginners, intermediate, and experienced meditators who wish to deepen their practice. The Ease and Joy of Mornings is open to everyone.
We come together as community to sit Zazen, or silent illumination, for 25-30 minutes. On some mornings, Zazen is followed by a short reading and reflection, and we close with a recitation of the Four Great Vows and the Benefit for All. ​
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REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED. DONATIONS WELCOME AND APPRECIATED.
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THE EASE AND JOY OF EVENING MEDITATION
Meditation and a brief Evening Dharma Discussion: Online Only​
Every Tuesday & Thursday Evening, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
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Practice and enlightenment, the masters have long said, are both solitary and social endeavors. We need each other for reflection, encouragement and inspiration. Though some may have a strong capacity for seclusion, Sangha is one of the three precious gems for a very good reason—we depend on each other to wake up. "We Are More Together Than Alone."
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Guidelines for Participating (Zazen) Meditation Over Zoom:
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Please join sittings a few minutes before the scheduled time, so as to be seated and settled in place before the period of zazen begins.
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Please keep your microphone muted until the very end.
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The group leader will ring three bells to begin zazen & one bell to signal the end of zazen.
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​​​REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED. DONATIONS WELCOME AND APPRECIATED.
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​CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE 7:00PM MEDITATION
ZEN STUDIES PROGRAM: ONLINE and *IN-PERSON
Wednesday February 4th 2026, 7:00PM - 9:00PM
Join Sensei Richard Emyo Bizub for one of our monthly dharma talks...
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Hui-Neng - Know Your Mind, See Your True Nature
The Platform Sutra of Hui-Neng, the sixth patriarch of Chinese Zen is one of the most influential texts of Chan Buddhism. According to Hui-Neng, Buddha nature is the true nature of all beings. We therefore don't need to purify our minds, rather we need to shift our perspective so we can see our true nature. Hui-Neng was an illiterate woodcutter who attained enlightenment, and who went on to demonstrate the depth and clarity of this insight. His example has demonstrated to generations of Zen students and spiritual seekers that awakening is attainable in this lifetime regardless of education or social standing.
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Join us for an evening of Zazen, (seated meditation) Kinhin (walking mediation) chanting of Sutras and a Dharma discussion...both in-person and online.
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REGISTER FOR ONLINE EVENT (click here)
*IN PERSON NEED NOT REGISTER
​​​ZEN STUDIES PROGRAM: ONLINE and *IN-PERSON
Wednesday February 11th 2026, 7:00PM- 9:00PM
Join Reverend Orlando Donen Nieves for one of our monthly Dharma talks...
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Samsara and Nibbana - Understanding Our Suffering and Our Happiness
As human beings, we all wish for happiness and peace in our lives, and we wish not to suffer. Yet, we experience so much sorrow, discontent, and suffering, and we are often left feeling hopeless or helpless, unable to comprehend this suffering. The Buddha's teachings are about liberation from suffering. But what does it really mean to be liberated? Perhaps the fundamental obstacle is that we do not really understand our suffering, nor how to truly cultivate happiness. This evening, we will look at suffering, happiness, peace, and liberation - how to see them more clearly.
Join us for an evening of Zazen, (seated meditation) Kinhin (walking mediation) chanting of the Sutras and a Dharma discussion...both in-person and online.
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REGISTER FOR THE ONLINE EVENT (CLICK HERE)
*IN-PERSON NEED NOT REGISTER
​​HALF-DAY ZAZENKAI: ONLINE and *IN-PERSON
Saturday, February 14th, 2026 9:00am - 12pm
Join the Monks of Jizo-an Zen Community for an extended period of sitting meditation and sutra service
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​Zazenkai & Sutra Service
You are invited to sit with the community for a half-day of zazen and chanting of the sutras.
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Please arrive 10-15 mins early so we can all begin together on time...cushions and chairs are provided.
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​REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED. DONATIONS WELCOME AND APPRECIATED.
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CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE 9:00AM MEDITATION
​​​ZEN STUDIES PROGRAM: ONLINE and *IN-PERSON
Wednesday February 18th 2026, 7:00PM- 9:00PM
Join Reverend Betsy Gessho Nieves for one of our monthly Dharma talks...
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Why The Practice Works For Me?
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When we embrace a practice like Zen, we realize how difficult it can be to stay on a path that is so radically different from how we have been conditioned to show up. Deep inside, we know that we are not truly being our authentic selves and we consciously decide to search for something that can lead us to be who we naturally are. This practice is not for our personal development or growth. However, that is something that naturally happens. This practice offers the opportunity to show up in the world the way we are truly meant to, and when we do this, we are transformed and liberated.
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Join us for an evening of Zazen, (seated meditation) Kinhin (walking mediation) chanting of the Sutras and a Dharma discussion...both in-person and online.
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REGISTER FOR THE ONLINE EVENT (CLICK HERE)
*IN-PERSON NEED NOT REGISTER
