WELCOME!
The Zen Center is open to members and trial members.
We have Zoom sittings for people who live too far away to attend sittings at the Center. We encourage people to attend via Zoom if they are ill. Please send us an email through the contact page if you would like more information.
Schedule
The Zen Center has a schedule of daily sittings, intensive meditation periods, courses, ceremonies, public events, and much more.
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Retreats
A wonderful way to combine quiet time and spiritual inspiration. Enjoy your own natural rhythms in an extraordinary setting.
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Workshops
A practical and authentic introduction to Zen Buddhism. Talks, question periods, demonstrations and meditation.
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Costa Rica
The Casa Zen was founded in 1974 by Roshi Philip Kapleau. In November 2025 Roshi Graef transmitted the leadership to her Dharma Heir, Sensei Bodhi Murillo.
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Toronto
The Toronto Zen Centre was founded in 1967 by Roshi Philip Kapleau. Roshi Taigen Henderson, Roshi Graef's Dharma Heir, is the teacher.
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Vermont
The Vermont Zen Center was founded in 1988 by Roshi Sunyana Graef, a Dharma Heir of Roshi Philip Kapleau, author of The Three Pillars of Zen.
SPECIAL CEREMONIES
UPCOMING AT THE CENTER
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9
oct
Jataka Sesshin
Read moreThe Center will be closed for a six-day sesshin on the Jataka tales led by Roshi Rafe Martin.
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17
oct
Healing Herbs Course
Read moreHerbalist Aylie Baker will lead this course on the healing power of winter plants.
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18
oct
Memorial Service
Read moreThere will be a sixth year memorial service for Schoel Shuster, a long-time member of the Toronto Zen Centre and a student of Roshi Graef.
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25
oct
Hungry Ghost Ceremony
Read moreA ceremony for the alleviation of suffering of beings in the realm of Hungry Ghosts. All are welcome.
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1
nov
Lay Ordination Ceremony
Read moreAfter a short sitting and teisho (Zen Talk), Meredith Markow will be ordained as a lay Buddhist priest.
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5
nov
Famine Relief Ceremony
Read moreFood and monetary donations for Oxfam are made at this ceremony. The Center matches all monetary donations.
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8
nov
Jukai All-Day Sitting
Read moreAn all-day sitting including the ceremony of Entering the Way of the Buddhas. For members only.
From our Ancestors
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The Way is essentially perfect and exists everywhere.
—Zen Ancestor Eihei Dogen -
Meditation in the midst of activity is a thousand times superior to meditation in stillness.
—Zen Ancestor Hakuin Ekakau -
The Great Way is not difficult for those who do not pick and choose.
—Zen Ancestor Seng Ts'an -
From the beginning all beings are Buddha.
—Zen Ancestor Hakuin Ekakau -
Ordinary Mind is the Way.
—Zen Ancestor Nansen Fugan