Zen Studies Society, Buddhist meditation center in Upper East Side, New York, United States.
The Zen Studies Society operates two locations: a meditation center in Manhattan and a mountain monastery in the Catskill region. The Manhattan facility hosts regular meditation sessions and classes on Buddhist practice, while the mountain location provides space for extended residential training programs.
The organization was founded in 1956 to support Daisetz Suzuki's mission of introducing Zen Buddhism to Western audiences. This early initiative helped establish Eastern meditation practices in North America during a time when such traditions were still largely unknown.
The center's name reflects its focus on studying Zen Buddhism through direct practice rather than theory alone. Visitors participate in daily zazen sessions and monthly gatherings where experienced teachers share meditation techniques and Buddhist philosophy with the community.
The Manhattan location is situated in an accessible part of the Upper East Side where visitors can drop in for meditation sessions and classes. The mountain monastery offers residential programs that typically require prior registration and a commitment to longer stays.
The mountain monastery sits on forest land in the Catskills near the region's highest lake. This remote setting offers a stark contrast to the urban Manhattan center and attracts practitioners seeking longer, more immersive training experiences.
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