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 November 2025
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THE EASE AND JOY OF MORNING MEDITATION
(Virtual Meditation Online Only)
Livestream Meditation Schedule:
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
​Virtual Meditation and a brief Evening Dharma Discussion
(Online Only)​
Tuesday & Thursday Evenings 7:00pm - 8:00pm
EVERY WEEK OF THE MONTH
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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 November 5th 2025, 7:00PM - 9:00PM
Join THE MONKS OF JIZO-AN for a special ceremony:
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​"DAI SEGAKI: A ceremony for the deceased and all who suffer in the realms of the Hungry Ghosts.
Bodhicitta is the raising of the heart and mind to all sentient beings of the past, present and future and it is accomplished through several practices; chanting being one of them. Chanting's purpose is less about the words and meanings, than it is about the raising of the heart and mind...and so our voices become a vessel through time and space. Imagine if every human, at the same time sang together for all those who suffer to be released!!!
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We come together to raise our hearts and minds to all the departed and their loved ones and for those who still suffer from the myriad 'hungers' of the human realm.
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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 ONLINE EVENT (click here)
*IN PERSON NEED NOT REGISTER
​HALF-DAY ZAZENKAI- ONLINE and *IN-PERSON
Saturday, NOVEMBER 8th, 2025 9:00am - 12:00pm
Join the Monks of Jizo-an Zen Community for an extended period of Zazen
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HALF-DAY ZAZENKAI
Zazenkai is the coming together of the Sangha as well as anyone with an interest in Zen and to experience Zazen in the Meditation hall. It allows those who have never sat for an extended period to do so with other practitioners so as to give support and a conducive space for that purpose. It seems also that without these extended periods of meditation, finding ease and joy in Zazen can take a very long time.
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Suggested donation of $15 is appreciated.
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​​JOIN THE ONLINE EVENT (CLICK HERE)
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*IN-PERSON NEED NOT REGISTER
​​​ZEN STUDIES PROGRAM- ONLINE and *IN-PERSON
Wednesday NOVEMBER 12th, 2025, 7:00PM- 9:00PM
Join REVEREND ORLANDO "DONEN" NIEVES for one of our monthly Dharma talks...
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"The Changing Chords in the Flowing Rhythm of Life"
Much like creating music, life is of the nature of change and flow. Just as chord changes and progressions constantly create and re-create the flowing rhythms of music, life too unfolds and is constantly in creation according to the ever changing nature of life's flowing rhythms. When we wrestle against that unfolding flow, then life, like music, becomes stagnant and its natural evolution and creative aspect is diminished within us.
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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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JOIN THE ONLINE EVENT (CLICK HERE)
*IN-PERSON NEED NOT REGISTER
​​SUNDAY MORNING ZAZEN- ONLINE and *IN-PERSON
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16th, 2025 9:00am - 10:30am
Join the Monks of Jizo-an Zen Community for a morning of silent meditation
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ZEN MEDITATION
Zazen is at the core of Soto Zen Buddhism. It has been refined and well honed over thousands of years and because of these endless offerings down through the ages, we are invited to a way to show up to ourselves that actually works. It has been said that a Zendo (meditation hall) is a conducive space for enlightenment and so we come together in community, for community, for that very purpose.​
Open to both beginners and experienced practitioners.
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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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JOIN THE ONLINE EVENT (CLICK HERE)​
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*IN PERSON NEED NOT REGISTER
ZEN STUDIES PROGRAM- ONLINE and IN-PERSON*
Wednesday NOVEMBER 19th, 2025, 7:00PM - 9:00PM
Join REVEREND RICHARD "DAIKO" SMYKLA for one of our monthly Dharma Talks...
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"Choosing Gratitude"
Our social contract is based on mutual respect and recognition of our common interest. There are those who have become quite adept at pitting ourselves against ourselves; against each other when we are all truly dependent on each other. There are some who find advantage in focusing on superficial differences rather than our profound shared identity. The Eye of the Heart knows better- we all share a common heritage in the earth, the sea and the stars. We must vow to reinvigorate a view of the sacredness of all things if we are to survive and even thrive in this life.
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.
REGISTER FOR ONLINE EVENT (CLICK HERE)
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*IN PERSON NEED NOT REGISTER