It is certainly not by accident that you have found your way to this website. If you want not only to read about Zen but to practice it, you are invited to sit Zazen (seated meditation) with us. We practice under the guidance of Sensei Robert Goldmann in the tradition of Roshi Philip Kapleau and his Dharma-heir Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede (Rochester Zen Center).
Zazen 'light'
We offer an introduction/refresher to Zen practice on the first Monday of every month (except on public holidays). If you would like to attend be there around 6:40 pm. Loose and dark clothing is recommended. Registration makes it easier for us to plan, but is not essential.
After an introduction we sit a couple of rounds of about 20 minutes (instead of our usual 35 minutes) with walking meditation in-between. Afterwards there is an opportunity to ask questions for example about sitting posture and Zen practice. Afterwards we offer a cup of tea. We do not charge any fees (there is a donation box).
Roshi Philip Kapleau
Roshi Philip Kapleau (1912-2004) founded the Rochester Zen Center in 1966 after 13 years of Zen-Training in Japan with three teachers: Nakagawa Roshi, Harada Roshi and Yasutani Roshi who ordained him as a Zen priest and authorized him to teach Zen. Philip Kapleau wrote a number of books including the classic "The Three Pillars of Zen."
Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede
Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede began his Zen training in 1970. After twelve years of koan training he was appointed Roshi Kapleau's Dharma successor and abbot of the Rochester Zen Center in 1986. After teaching outside and inside hundreds of sesshins in Rochester and abroad he retired in 2022 but is still in contact with his students and occasionally leads sesshin.
Sensei Robert Goldmann
Robert Goldmann has been practicing Zen since 1975, beginning his training with Sochu Suzuki Roshi and Kyudo Nakagawa Roshi in London and Ryutaku-ji, Japan. In 1982 he became a student of Roshi Philip Kapleau and in 1989 of Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede, who authorized Robert as a Zen teacher after having completed his formal koan training in 2007.