Welcome!

The Minnesota Zen Meditation Center welcomes all those who want to learn more about Zen Buddhist meditation. The Center works to maintain a vibrant community committed to Zen practice and teachings. We offer daily sitting meditation, weekly classes and lectures, and intensive meditation retreats.

The Center is located on the eastern shore of Lake Calhoun in south Minneapolis. People from all over the region come to this center to hear talks by teachers, attend classes and workshops, participate in retreats, attend services, and, most importantly, to do sitting meditation (zazen).

Closed For Renovations

MZMC will be closed Monday, August 9, through Saturday, August 14, for painting and renovation.

Are you new to Zen Buddhism or the Center?

If you are new to Zen Buddhism or the Center, attending the Introduction to Zen Meditation (zazen) is a helpful place to begin. This is a one-time class, open to all with no pre-registration necessary. Donations are gratefully accepted. This class is offered:

• Every Sunday from 8:30-9:50 a.m. (participants are welcome to stay for lecture at 10:00 and tea at 11:00),
• First and third Tuesdays of each month from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

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Sunday Mornings at MZMC

Sunday mornings are a good time to become familiar with the MZMC community. You are invited to join us for any part of the morning schedule. The Sunday talks provide continued learning about Zen Buddhism and offer you a chance to know the teachers more fully. We hope to see you then!

Sunday Morning Schedule

8:30 Introduction to Zen Meditation
9:10 Sitting Meditation
9:50 Break
10:00 Sunday Talk List of Sunday Speakers
11:00 Tea/Social Hour (except during retreats)

Listen to Sunday Talks online

Subscribe to our Sunday Talks podcast using iTunes.

To subscribe to our Sunday Talks podcast with another service, use this rss feed: http://mnzencenter.org/audio/rss.xml

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August Events

"Just Sitting" Saturdays
August 7 with Rosemary Taylor
Hours: 9 am – 3 pm
Cost: $15 donation is requested. No pre-registration required.
All are welcome, regardless of ability to pay.

These concentrated days of meditation begin with our usual Saturday morning public schedule, including liturgy, and continue into mid-afternoon. No work period, no dharma talk — just sitting. Practice meetings are available. Please bring your own bag lunch.

Welcome to Zen Buddhism Lecture
with Tim Burkett
Tuesday, August 24, 7:30 – 9 pm
Cost: $15 suggested donation; no preregistration is required.

Head Teacher Tim Burkett will discuss fundamental teachings of Zen Buddhism and their applicability to the modern world. This is a good place to begin; continue your study with Zen Buddhism: The Basics.

Ch'an Classic Teaching Poems
with Lee Lewis

Lee Lewis will offer a series on classic teaching poems that greatly influenced later generations of Ch’an and Zen teaching.

Two 3-week sessions on Mondays, 7:15 – 8:45 pm

Harmony of Difference & Unity by Shih-t'ou
August 16, 23, 30

Song of the Precious Mirror Samadhi by Tung-shan
September 20, 27, and October 1

Handouts will be provided.

Cost: Members $45 per class; $85 for two classes
Nonmembers $55 per class; $100 for two classes
Register

About Lee Lewis: Lee has been practicing Zen meditation for 16 years. He was ordained in 2003 and received dharma transmission (permission to teach independently ) in May 2010. Lee is the executive director of Clare Housing, a provider of housing and services to people living with HIV/AIDS. He has an abiding interest in exploring the place where the inconceivable "vow to save all beings" and pragmatic daily life/suffering come together, as well as helping to make wholehearted Zen practice accessible to 21st century Americans.

Dharma Family Sundays
Third Sunday of Each Month: August 15
11:30 - 12:45 pm
Cost: Donation

About Family Sundays:
For parents and children of all ages. Come together to share the dharma with stories, meditation, songs, activities and food. This is a time for parents to share their practice place with the rest of the family and for children and parents to make connections with others in the Zen community, (not limited to members of MZMC).

The focus will be on sharing the spirit and the joy of the teaching in community, with some sitting and walking meditation, including guided meditation, as well as stories and activities that highlight the ethical and relational aspects of the teaching. Giving, kind speech and action, harmony with our world, and wisdom in our everyday interactions will be major themes, along with fun and fellowship.

Facilitators:
Susan Nelson and other guest leaders from MZMC will offer this monthly event. Susan has been a member of the Minnesota Zen Center since 1978. She was ordained as a priest by Tim Burkett in 2003 and has served in various roles over the years. She has enjoyed practicing with and coordinating retreats for women and families at Hokyoji Zen Practice Community. She has worked in various non-profit settings, including coordinating family support programs such as MELD for Minneapolis Way to Grow. She and her husband enjoy their five adult children and six grandchildren immensely.

Contact the MZMC office for more information.

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Genzo-e Sesshin at Dharma Field led by Shohaku Okumura

Sponsoring centers: Dharma Field, Clouds in Water, Compassionate Ocean and Minnesota Zen Meditation Center

5:30 am, Wednesday, September 15 through 11:30 am, Sunday, September 19

Sesshin is an extended meditation that includes zazen (sitting meditation), kinhin (walking meditation) oryoki meals, lectures, and mindful work.

During this Genzo-e (study) sesshin, time will be allowed for reading and studying "Bussho" from Dogen Zenji's Shobogenzo. This genzo-e is the third in a series of three, all of which are on the topic of "Bussho." The early lectures on "Bussho" were be covered in 2006 and 2008.

All registrations will be handled through Dharma Field Zen Center. There is an option for attending lectures only.
Register through Dhrama Field