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!
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 June 2026
THE EASE AND JOY OF MORNING MEDITATION: Online Only
Every day (7 Days/week, at 5:30am Online)
Zazen is the dharma gate of great ease and joy
— this is the standard that Master Dogen lays down.
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.
REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED. DONATIONS WELCOME AND APPRECIATED.
THE EASE AND JOY OF EVENING MEDITATION
Meditation and a brief Evening Dharma Discussion: Online Only
Every Tuesday & Thursday Evening, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
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."
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.
REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED. DONATIONS WELCOME AND APPRECIATED.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE 7:00PM MEDITATION
ZEN STUDIES PROGRAM: ONLINE and *IN-PERSON
Wednesday June 3rd 2026, 7:00PM- 9:00PM
Join us in community for presentations by...
Peter Jasko:
Mokugyo: The Wooden Fish
How can a little fish save sentient beings from suffering (dukkha) ? A form so simple, yet highly symbolic in Buddhism, waking us up to our True (Buddha) Nature. Peter will provide an introduction to the mokugyo, its history, legend, symbolic purpose, and why a fish? The mokugyo asks but a simple question each time it sounds: "Are You Awake"?
Barbara Seishin Patrizzi :
Bahiya Understands Urgency
In ancient times, storytelling served as the vehicle to communicate Buddhist teachings to those outside the monastic community. We will hear one of the most retold stories from the Pali Canon and reflect on its message which still resonates today across time and space.
Join us for an evening of Zazen, (seated meditation) Kinhin (walking mediation), and a Koan discussion...both in-person and online.
REGISTER FOR THE ONLINE EVENT (CLICK HERE)
*IN-PERSON NEED NOT REGISTER
ZEN STUDIES PROGRAM: ONLINE and *IN-PERSON
Wednesday June 10th 2026, 7:00PM - 9:00PM
Join Sensei Richard Emyo Bizub for one of our monthly dharma talks...
A Tribute to Seijaku Roshi
Five years ago, our founder Seijaku Roshi died. As time passes the number of people who actually knew Roshi steadily decreases. But his presence is still here with us and will always be with us. Last year the Jizo-an Zen Community celebrated its 40-year anniversary. There have been a number of changes since Roshi's passing, primarily to make the Dharma available to more people. Roshi had a vision of planting the dharma here in South Jersey. Creating a place where community members, students and monks, could come together to train and realize themselves. Please join the monks as we pay tribute to our founder and his vision.
Join us for an evening of Zazen, (seated meditation) Kinhin (walking mediation) chanting of Sutras and a Dharma discussion...both in-person and online.
REGISTER FOR ONLINE EVENT (click here)
*IN PERSON NEED NOT REGISTER
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FULL-DAY ZAZENKAI: ONLINE and *IN-PERSON
Saturday June 13h, 2026 9:00am - 4:00pm
Join the Monks of Jizo-an Zen Community for an extended period of sitting meditation and sutra service
Zazenkai & Sutra Service
You are invited to sit with the community for a full-day of zazen and chanting of the sutras. Lunch will be provided for participants at no cost, but you must notify our tenzo in advance via email.
Please arrive 10-15 mins early so we can all begin together on time...cushions and chairs are provided.
REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED. DONATIONS WELCOME AND APPRECIATED.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE 9:00AM MEDITATION
ZEN STUDIES PROGRAM: ONLINE and *IN-PERSON
Wednesday June 17th 2026, 7:00PM- 9:00PM
Join Reverend Richard Daiko Smykla for one of our monthly Dharma Presentations...
Pattern and Novelty: Transcending our Stories
Our lives are constructed of stories. Some are handed down to us, others take form from the outcome of events in our lives. Stories are the stuff of our sense of self, and when habits develop around them, we are constrained, we suffer. To realize new possibilities is how we transform our lives and discover new meaning.
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 THE ONLINE EVENT (CLICK HERE)
*IN-PERSON NEED NOT REGISTER
