Welcome to the Iowa City Zen Center
The Iowa City Zen Center is located at
1025 Fairchild Street in Iowa City, Iowa.
APRIL EVENTS AT THE ZEN CENTER
The Zen Center’s Guiding Teacher Roshi Daiken Nelson will be here in person during the weekend of April 26 – 29 to participate in events at the Zen Center and at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center:
A COMMUNITY POTLUCK
Friday April 26 at 6:00 pm Bring anything vegetarian, or just bring yourself. Children are welcome.
ZAZENKAI MEDITATION (Half-Day Retreat)
Saturday April 27, 7:30 am – 2:45 pm
Possible to join at any time / come & go as you wish
See Schedule below
SUNDAY MORNING
Meditation & Dharma Talk
Sunday, April 28, 9:00 – 11:00
SUNDAY AFTERNOON: “Your Moment of Zen” – An Introduction to Buddhism & Zen
April 28th 2:00 – 3:30 pm Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, Meeting Room A Description Below
Saturday and Sunday Events are accessible via ZOOM a
Link
Meeting ID: 837 6729 6520
Passcode: 415844
All events are supported by free will offerings (dana) made in-person, via our PayPal account: Link or by mail to ICZC Treasurer, 135 Bowling Green Place, IC, IA 52245. See below for more information
When attending events at the Zen Center, please park around the corner, rather than directly in front, in order to allow access.
______________________________________________________
Saturday, April 27 Zazenkai Schedule
(Possible to join or leave at any time)
07:25 Be in Seats
7:30-7:55 Meditation
7:55-8:00 Kinhin (Walking Meditation)
8:00-8:25 Meditation
8:25 — Verse of the Kesa
8:30-8:55 Breakfast Break
9:00-9:25 Meditation
9:25-9:30 Kinhin
9:30-10:00 Dharma Talk / Q & A
10:00-10:10 Brief Break
10:15-10:40 Meditation
10:40-10:45 Kinhin
10:45-11:10 Meditation
11:10-11:15 Kinhin
11:15-11:40 Meditation
11:40 — 4 Bodhisattva Vows
11:45 – ≈12:45 Lunch Break
≈12:45 – 12:55 Clean Up/Short Break
1:00 – 1:25 Zazen
1:25 – 1:30 Kinhin
1:30 – 1:55 Zazen
1:55 – 2:00 Kinhin
2:00 – 2:30 Zazen
≈2:30 — 4 Bodhisattva Vows
(or when Roshi returns to Zendo from dokusan)
___________________________________________________
Sunday Afternoon, April 28: “Your Moment of Zen”
Join IC Zen Center Guiding Teacher, Rev. Daiken Nelson Roshi at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center for a look into the practice of Soto Zen Buddhism.
Seated, silent meditation has become an opportunity to experience this everything as-it-isness in this moment.
The practice stresses doing meditation without a goal, as everyone & this moment are already inherently enough, just as they are, in this moment.
Soto Zen Buddhism is distinguished by its focus on the down-to-earth practice of “everyday zen.” It encourages awareness of the workings of one’s own mind as a means of living mindfully in all areas of daily life – at home, at work, in our interactions.
In his “Instructions to the Cook,” Japanese Zen Master Eihei Dogen taught that cooking and caring for other people, as well as the food being prepared, are as important as formal practice like Meditation and chanting.
Zen is for those who want to practice being present in everything in each moment. In coming face to face with our life in all its aspects, we come to know ourselves and find our connection to all things.
One can learn to live freely: be truly present here and to serve in all ways.
- Program:
∞ Introduction to Zen
∞ Brief practice of beginners mediation (no experience needed)
∞ Questions & Answers (“Stump the Roshi”) – on any topic you bring
When attending events at the Zen Center, please park around the corner, rather than directly in front, in order to allow access.
TWICE MONTHLY DHARMA TALKS
On the second and fourth Sunday of every month at 10:00 a.m., Roshi Daiken Nelson offers a Dharma Talk over Zoom at the Zen Center, followed by questions and answers. Dharma Talks follow our regular 9:00 a.m, Zazen Meditation.
In May, Roshi Daiken’s Dharma talks are scheduled for
Sunday May 12th & Sunday May 26th, at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Dharma Talks and Zazen Meditation are held in-person and on ZOOM at:
Link
Meeting ID: 837 6729 6520
Passcode: 415844
OUR REGULAR WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Monday through Friday Morning: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. — In-person Meditation (Zazen), with doors opening by 6:50 a.m.
Tuesday evening: 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. — In-person Meditation practice (Zazen)
Beginning Meditation Instruction at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday Morning: Zazen at 9:00 a.m.
Beginning Meditation Instruction at 8:30 a.m
You may also find online sittings and services on M – F at 6:00 am and 7:30 p.m. hosted by ICZC practitioner David Shujo Thole HERE (Meeting ID: 976 5335 8448).
For further information email david@thedarktrumpet.com.
RECENTLY
On January 29, 2024, Roshi Daiken Nelson
was installed as the Zen Center’s Guiding Teacher.
Daiken’s biography is accessible at News/Events.
A video of the installation ceremony, including Daiken’s poems at the doors of the temple, his engagement in “Dharma Combat” and his talk “What is a Teacher” are available here, with thanks to David Thole
BEGGING BOWL
The opportunity for Zen practice is made possible by building upkeep and the labors of many people.
The Zen Center is supported by freely offered dana or financial donations. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to the Iowa City Zen Center via our PayPal account: Link
Or mail a check (tax deductible) to Treasurer: Steve Hirst, 135 Bowling Green Place, IC, IA 52245
Contact Us & Directions
Iowa City Zen Center 