Like many communities around the world, at both Zen Mountain Monastery and the Zen Center of NYC we are concerned about the spread of Coronavirus COVID-19 and are monitoring the unfolding events related to the virus.
Well-aware of the seriousness of the situation and of local and national health advisories, our Board of Directors has decided to temporarily close both the Monastery and the Temple to the public. All scheduled retreats, sesshin and physical gatherings—such as daily zazen and the Sunday morning program—will be closed until it is safe for us to convene in person once again. In the meantime, we’ll be using the Internet to stay connected. We’ll be watching the situation carefully and sending frequent emails with news and updates. Please refer to this web page for updates announcing specific Livestream events and other relevant information. You can also keep up with us through our blog on this page at MountainRecord.org.
We are now livestreaming the Monastery’s Sunday morning programs for students and practicing members. Everyone is invited to continue listening to dharma teachings on the podcast, and we are considering other ways we might creatively use the Internet to deepen our ango training. The Dharma Action and affinity groups that currently gather in person (Environmental Initiative, LGBTQ, What is Whiteness?, Diamond Net, etc.) are encouraged to meet virtually. The ango Ecodharma study groups will continue to meet via zoom. The monastics and residents at both the Monastery and the Temple will be following the daily training schedule as usual.
In practicing Buddhadharma we turn inwards and find the calm and clear understanding that is within each of us. We turn outwards to offer lovingkindness, patience and compassion to every being. In times like this, many people will feel anxiety and uncertainty about the present and the future, and may express that in both inspiring and troubling ways. As practitioners, let’s use our circumstances to take refuge in the Three Treasures, drawing on our trust in the dharma and the essential desire in each of us for happiness and well-being. Here at the Monastery, we’ll be chanting the Four Immeasurables each morning, and we encourage you to join us by adding them to your morning liturgy. As each of us gives voice to these profound blessings, we come together through space and time, united by our shared intention:
May all beings be free from suffering and the root of suffering
May all beings know happiness and the root of happiness
May all beings live in sympathetic joy, rejoicing in the happiness of others
May all beings live in equanimity, free from passion, aggression and
delusion.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us the Monastery at (845) 688-2228 or registrar@dharma.net or the Temple at (718) 875-8229 / zcnyc@dharma.net
The weekly dharma discourse at Zen Mountain Monastery will be Livestreamed, beginning at 11am on Sundays. We will also be streaming Sunday liturgy service at 9am. You can find links at http://livestream.com/mro