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Dogen Sangha Tokyo

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About us

Complete beginners; people from other strands of Buddhism; enlightened masters; those who are simply curious about meditation-- our zendo welcomes all. We sometimes get twenty+ people show up, we sometimes get only four. On average we get around 6 ~ 12 people attending, which includes regulars and sometimes a couple through Meet-up too. We are an international Zen Buddhist group that has been meeting weekly in the middle of Tokyo on Saturdays for many years. Our main practice is zazen meditation, but we also have lectures by our teachers Peter Rocca and Gerhard Wolfram (and sometimes Oli) where we look at Zen Buddhist philosophy together. It's a relaxed atmosphere. We don't use a kyosaku (the stick you get hit with). Meetings are in English. Discussion and questions are encouraged. There are no fees for the Saturday meetings. We also occasionally go to temples on long holiday weekends for some short retreats, which cost accordingly. Welcome!

Upcoming events

2

Zen Meditation and Talk
Sat, Oct 10 · 10:50 AM JST
Tokyo University Young Buddhists Association, 3 Chome-33 Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo, JP
Hi, and thanks for checking out our zen meditation meetup.
We hold our meetings in the mediation rooms at the Tokyo University Buddhists Association (see map below). Our meetings are free of charge and anyone interested is welcome. The meetings are suitable for beginners and anyone interested in Zen meditation and Zen Buddhism.

We start off with an hour of sitting meditation (zazen) combined with walking meditation (kinhin) from 11:00 to 12 noon. (I put the start time as 10:50 in case anyone needs some instruction before sitting). The meditation is suitable for beginners. Then we have a break for about 50 minutes. Then from 1:00 pm we do zazen meditation again for 30 minutes. After that we have an (optional) talk for about 50 minutes where we discuss a little bit about Zen meditation and some aspect of Buddhist philosophy based on the teachings of a 13th century Buddhist monk named Dogen.

The schedule is:
10.50 - 11.05 Arrival and introduction
11.05- 11.25 Zazen (Sitting meditation )
11.25 - 11.40 Kinhin (Walking meditation)
11.40 - 12.00 Zazen

12.00 - 12.50 Break

12.50 - 13.00 Instruction (if needed)
13.00 - 13.30 Zazen
13.40 - 14.30 Talk about Zen Meditation & Buddhism (optional)

It's fine to come to only the first part (10.50-12.00) or the second part (13.00-14.30), or to both.

Directions:
From Hongo-sanchome station on the Marunouchi line, turn right after passing through the ticket barrier, and follow the alley out to the main street. The building where the meetings are held is across the street.
If you're coming from Hongo-sanchome station on the Oedo line, take exit no. 5 and turn to the left after leaving the station. Follow the main street and then turn left again at the corner with the traffic lights.
The entrance to the Tokyo University Buddhists Association is next to the Nicos travel agency (just behind the bus stop).

Here is a link to the place on Google Maps:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MZyf6ZTnYB9v2LA88
Also, check the map at: http://www.zen.ie/hongomap.pdf

There's a video with directions at: https://youtu.be/kQ9TivDHTOk

See you there!
2 attendees
¥26,400.00
3-Day Temple Retreat near Tokyo - October 10 to 12
Sat, Oct 10 · 1:00 PM JST
Shougaku-ji - 正覚寺, 〒357-0111 埼玉県飯能市上名栗２３２６, Saitama, JP
We'll be holding a 3-day (2-night) Buddhist Meditation Retreat from October 10 to 12 (Saturday to Monday), 2026 at Shokakuji temple near Hanno City in Saitama Prefecture. The retreat will be held in English. Anyone interested is invited to attend, and the retreat is suitable for beginners. The quiet, mountainous area around the temple is a pleasant setting for a brief taste of Buddhist life. All meals during the retreat are suitable for vegetarians.

Cost: 26,400 yen. The cost includes accommodation and meals during the retreat, but excludes the cost of transportation (approximately 1,300 yen one-way from Tokyo) to the temple. We ask for a ¥5,000 deposit to reserve a place.

What to Bring: The temple provide all meals and accommodation during the retreat. It's possible to take a shower or bath during the retreat, but the temple ask everyone attending the retreat to bring their own bath towel. We recommend bringing comfortable clothing for practicing meditation.

To Sign Up to Attend:
Please email me, Peter, at: tokyozazen@gmail.com for further information or to sign up for the retreat. You can also sign up for the retreat at our Saturday Zen meditation class on September 26 at Tokyo University Buddhists Association. The last day to sign up for the retreat is Sunday October 4.

Transport to the Temple: Most of the participants will be traveling together from Tokyo to Hanno station on the Seibu-Ikebukuro line. We'll meet at 9.30 am on Saturday morning (October 10) at the East Exit of Seibu-Ikebukuro station, and take a Seibu-Ikebukuro line train bound for Hanno station. After arriving at Hanno station, we'll take a bus to the temple. You're welcome to travel with this group. If you're going to Hanno station directly, you can meet with the group coming from Tokyo at Hanno station at around 10.45 am. Click here for directions to the meeting place at Seibu-Ikebukuro Station.

There's some more information about the retreat here.

Please email me (tokyozazen@gmail.com) for more information or if you have any questions about the retreat.
1 attendee

Past events

245

Organizers

Oli Smith and 2 others

Members

891

Related topics

Buddhist Meditation