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Zen Center holds Tuesday morning
zazen (meditation) and tea (7:00 - 8:00am)
at The Mattress Factory [get
directions]. On these mornings there will be
no sitting at Zen Center. Please arrive at 6:50
so we may begin promptly at 7:00am.
Located in Pittsburgh's Historic Mexican War Streets
area, The Mattress Factory may be accessed by bus
(500, 16B, or 16C). Free parking is available
at 505 Jacksonia Street.
Brief zazen instruction for newcomers is available
each Tuesday. Or, if you'd prefer a more elaborate
introduction please consider attending one of our Evening
of Zen: An Introduction workshops.
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About Zen Center
Zen Center of Pittsburgh is a Soto Zen Buddhist Temple founded in 1999. Currently the only Soto Zen Temple in Western Pennsylvania with a resident priest, it serves the community by offering daily meditation and services. ZCP is situated just thirty minutes north of Pittsburgh, PA. Our retreat center sits on six isolated acres with stunning views of the Western Pennsylvania forests, thus offering the perfect location for personal and group retreats in the Zen tradition. Serving as the head priest is Rev. Kyoki Roberts.
Is this Your First Time?
Visit our Just for Beginners page for information to commonly asked questions.Adverse Weather
As a general rule, if driving may be risky, don’t do it. When it is snowing or sleeting, or if either snow or sleet are predicted to occur before or during zazen, you can assume that the zendo will be closed, particularly for 5:30 a.m. zazen ZCP Event Listing
The following is a list of upcoming events and functions at Zen Center of Pittsburgh. Please join us! Information regarding the daily schedule can be found here
World Peace Ceremony
May 4, special morning service
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This first Sunday of the month ceremony dedicates our practice to bringing about a more peaceful world. We follow the service with an open discussion of Zen practice. |
Evening of Zen: An Introduction
May 8, 6:00 - 8:00pm
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"Old pond
leap - splash a frog. " -Basho |
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This one evening introductory workshop is a combination of gentle sitting, lecture, question and answer, and walking meditation. It will offer instruction on the forms of Soto Zen practice (bowing, entering the zendo, chanting), how to sit comfortably (should you use a cushion, a chair or a bench?), and suggestions for reading material in a variety of areas.
**This is a one evening workshop. We repeat it frequently to make it available to all who are interested. Please join us!
Please register in advance for this workshop by mail, in person, or via PayPal.
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Sangha Work Weekend
Friday May 9 - Sunday May 11
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Please join us for our Spring Sangha work weekend! Come for as much time as you can spare and help prepare the gardens and get the grounds ready for warmer weather! All are welcome. We'll be planting, raking, digging and doing a number of other activities --wear work clothes. See you there! Email for more information. |
One Day Sitting with Judy Roitman, Kwan UM School
May 17, one day retreat
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Judy Roitman is a teacher in the Kwan Um School of Zen (Korean). This 1 day retreat will offer a broader perspective of Zen Buddhist practices and comes highly recommended.
Email for more information and to register >>
Please register in advance for this retreat by email, mail, or in person.
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Precept Renewal (Ryaku Fusatsu)
May 20, special evening service
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Precept Renewal, or in Japanese Ryaku Fusatsu, is an ancient ceremony which includes the transmission of the bodhisattva (enlightened being) precepts. Participation in Ryaku Fusatsu offers us an opportunity to acknowledge all past actions (karma), to receive the precepts, and to re-dedicate ourselves to the practice of the Bodhisattva’s way. We perform the ceremony at ZCP every month, on the Tuesday evening nearest the full moon, to conform as close as we can to the ancient tradition. Please join us.
Read more about Ryaku Fusatsu.
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ZCP Closed
May 25 - 28
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Zen Center will be closed over the Memorial Day Holiday. Please join us when we re-open Thursday, May 29.
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Summer Sesshin
June 13 - 15
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"...it's easy to find reasons to remain comfortable... "
-Dobisz |
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Deep Spring Temple is beautiful in June! This weekend sitting is a great way to turn up the heat in your daily practice. This intensive consists of a combination of zazen (seated meditation) and Kinhin (walking meditation), lecture, and a question answer sesion. Sitting quietly together we deepen our understanding.
Please register in advance for this retreat by mail, in person, or via PayPal. |
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