Flooding at the Auckland Zen Centre

A couple of weeks ago, one of our sister Centers, the Auckland Zen Centre, suffered heavy damages from flooding due to heavy rainfall in New Zealand. If you’d like to help through a monetary donation, you can send it to the Rochester Zen Center (make sure to write “Helping AZC” in the description if you give us a check), and we’ll forward the funds. You can read the updates about Amala-roshi and the Auckland Zen Center here.

Teisho by John-sensei, Sunday, February 19

We’ll have one extended round of sitting with a bell at the half-way point for posture change, followed by kinhin, a short chanting service, and then John-sensei’s teisho. All will be broadcast on Zoom.

Sangha Hike: Chapin Mill, Sunday, February 19, 12:30-2:30 pm

Join us for a moderately short hike at Chapin Mill. We will leave the Zen Center at 11:30 a.m., or you can meet us at the pond, near the barn at 12:30. To express interest and receive more information about the hike and where to meet up, go here: Sangha Hike Interest Form.

Sangha Entertainment Night, Saturday, March 11
It’s Back!

For the first time since 2019! Sangha Entertainment Night will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 11 – and we need performers, as well as audience members. In addition to the onstage antics in the Buddha Hall, we’ll have sweet and savory snacks along with beverages after curtain call (RSVP here to help the kitchen with a headcount).
If you have a sketch, song, dance, film, or other performance you’d like to share with “the most forgiving audience in the world,” please complete this quick form. Need help completing the form? Please email Trueman or Lila at so they can assist.

Other Upcoming Activities

Saturday, February 18:

Sunday, February 19:

Joining the 4-day Sesshin on Zoom (February 21 to 25)

While sesshin is underway at Chapin Mill, you can still join the in-person sittings at Arnold Park. Refer to the weekly schedule here for the days and times (no chanting, dokusan, or Private Instruction at Arnold Park sittings during sesshin).
Note: There will not be a formal sitting Tuesday morning (February 21) at Arnold Park, nor at Chapin Mill.
The regular schedule for morning and evening Zoom sittings is suspended during sesshin. However, even if you’re not signed up, you’re welcome to join any block of sitting (though without dokusan) in our usual Zoom room. If you do join us, please log on before a block begins or during kinhin to minimize distraction. Likewise, if you cannot stay for an entire block, leave during one of the kinhins whenever possible.

Free Tax Assistance for Low-Income Members

If your 2022 income without children is less than $27,000 or with children less than $58,000, you can have your taxes prepared and filed for free at CASH, an IRS-sponsored program located in Rochester’s downtown public library. Call 585-900-1004 for an appointment or schedule it online at https://cashtaxprep2022.as.me/schedule.php. You can also submit your information online or prepare your taxes yourself using free tax software. Go to https://empirejustice.org/cash/tax-prep/ for more information.