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 or have recently been exposed to Covid. 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.
Learn More
Retreats
A wonderful way to combine quiet time and spiritual inspiration. Enjoy your own natural rhythms in an extraordinary setting.
Learn More
Workshops
A practical and authentic introduction to Zen Buddhism. Talks, question periods, demonstrations and meditation.
Learn More-
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.
-
Toronto
The Toronto Zen Centre was founded in 1967 by Roshi Philip Kapleau. Roshi Taigen Henderson, Roshi Graef's Dharma Heir, is the teacher.
-
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
-
24
jan
Introduction to Zen
Read moreRoshi Graef conducts half-day introduction to the practices and principles of Zen Buddhism.
-
29
jan
Famine Relief Ceremony
Read moreFamine Relief Ceremonies are a concrete way to express compassion for those who are suffering from the deprivations of hunger.
-
6
feb
Two-day retreat
Read moreThe Center will be closed through Monday, February 9 for a two-day retreat and for the following day.
-
15
feb
Parinirvana Ceremony
Read moreA ceremony honoring the Buddha on the day of his passing into final Nirvana.
-
28
feb
Flower Arranging Course
Read moreLearn basic Ikebana and flower arranging elements used at the Vermont Zen Center: triangulation, depth, placement, color, container size and materials.
From our Ancestors
-
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