** Additionally, following up on the recent seminar offered to the MRO sangha by Rima Vesely-Flad, author of Black Buddhism and Black Liberation, our BIAPoC affinity groups are hosting a gathering with Rima on October 5th to explore the distinctive practices of Black Buddhist teachers in multiple lineages as they address an oppressive social context in the U.S. Those who identify as Black, Indigenous, Asian or as Person of Color/Culture (BIAPoC) may register here.
Thursday, every third week, 12;30-1:30pm
MRO Women for Conversation & Connection
Join Senior students Chikei Levister and Shinji Hoffman for a meeting of practitioners who identify as women every third Thursday of the month. We’re hoping this time might fit into your lunch hour. Bring your snack, sandwich, tea or coffee, dark chocolate bar, crunchy apple or just yourself! Let’s get together and share around practice, our spiritual lives, and being women in the MRO. Register here to receive a zoom link.
Thursday, quarterly, next meeting September 15th, 7–8:30 p.m.
LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group Meeting (for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, agender, or other): The next meeting in our series of quarterly gatherings, Personal Stories of Identity and Practice, takes place September 15th at 7pm. A support and discussion group for anyone who identifies as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. We look forward to seeing you there! You can contact the group coordinators via lgbtqia@dharma.net.
First Sunday of the month, 3pm.
People of African Descent (PAD) Sangha Gathering & Book Study
In advance of each gathering, one of our members volunteers to lead a discussion based on a reading, a video, etc. Contact wells.robin@gmail.com for more information and to sign up. ** Additionally, following up on the recent seminar offered to the MRO sangha by Rima Vesely-Flad, author of Black Buddhism and Black Liberation, our BIAPoC affinity groups are hosting a gathering with Rima on October 5th to explore the distinctive practices of Black Buddhist teachers in multiple lineages as they address an oppressive social context in the U.S. Those who identify as Black, Indigenous, Asian or as Person of Color/Culture (BIAPoC) may register here.
Third Sunday of the month, 1:00–2:30 p.m.
“What is Whiteness?” Sangha Affinity Group
This group is for those who identify as white and is part of an ongoing monthly inquiry—based in Dharma practice—into Whiteness and its many biases and blind spots. You are welcome to join the open ZCNYC What is Whiteness group, meeting the 3rd Sunday of every month, 1-2:30pm. Newcomers are welcome. Please contact Dojaku or Yunen to get connected.
Shugen Roshi, Hojin Sensei, and Hogen Sensei are each meeting with formal MRO Students over Zoom for face-to-face teaching. Students should already have signup instructions but if you would like assistance with this, please contact the registrar at registrar@dharma.net; 845-688-2228.
Shugen Roshi: Wednesdays 7:45–8:45 p.m. (except during sesshin)
Hojin Sensei: Wednesdays 6:45–7:45 p.m. and Sundays 9:45–10:35 a.m. (except during sesshin)
Hogen Sensei: Sundays & Mondays 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
One-to-one Meetings with Seniors
During these unusual and stressful times you may find it helpful to speak with a lay practitioner about tending to your practice or taking care of the challenges that life is presenting these days. Please email seniorstudents@dharma.net if interested and someone will get back to you. This opportunity is open to anyone who identifies as a sangha member, regardless of any formal affiliation. The following senior lay students are available for one-on-one phone or video calls. Feel free to mention by name the person you’d like to speak with, if you have a preference.
Chris Yudo Abraham, Michelle Seigei Spark, Katie Yosha Scott-Childress, Maureen Jisho Ford, Patrick Yunen Kelly, Prabu Gikon Vasan, Michael Chizen Brown