Welcome!

We invite you to learn about us, meet others who practice, and explore the resources we make available to beginning and experienced practitioners. 

We have answers to frequently asked questions here. Our zendo guidelines are here. You may wish to look over our About Sanshin page as well.

We encourage you to register for a Getting Started ​in Zen Practice session below (though it's not a requirement for participating in regular practice activities).

Finally, although it contains much more than you'll need to get started in this practice, you're also welcome and encouraged to check out our companion-site, Sanshin Source. It offers in-depth context about our style of practice within the Soto Zen tradition - our practice vision is a good place to start. ​

Are you a student working on a class project?

We've put together this page especially for you.

On settling in to Zen practice
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Notes on why we often experience resistance to getting started, digging in, and maintaining a steady and wholesome practice

Getting Started in Zen Practice:
​twice-monthly sessions

Typically: second Tuesdays in person; fourth Tuesdays online
7:00 - 8:30 pm Eastern time in the US

This free session is a great place to explore and begin your Zen practice in the Sanshin style.  Become familiar with the sitting practice that's at the core of what we do; explore what happens with body, breath and mind; learn about the basics of Buddhist and Zen teachings; ask your questions and participate in practice discussions; and get a preview of upcoming Sanshin activities and events. You may attend once or as many times as you like; activities will match the needs of those who attend on any particular evening.

​Experienced practitioners who have never been to Sanshin before, or who are looking for help with practice questions, are also very welcome. 

Please register at right so that we can monitor the number of attendees expected in person and so that we can send online participants the Zoom link.  (Look for this information in your email the day before your session.) 

Please note that 7:00 pm in Bloomington is the middle of the night overseas.  If you're outside of North America, we suggest learning to sit with a Sanshin Network teacher who is geographically closer to you.

Other opportunities to start practicing with us

While you're waiting for your Getting Started session, it's fine to join us in person or online for regular weekly practice activities.  

Zazen
​Once you know how to do zazen, there are multiple opportunities throughout the week to join us for practice. Please arrive at least five minutes before the start of a given period of zazen, to give yourself time to arrange yourself at your sitting place.
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Weekday mornings at 6:05 & 7:10 am
Weekday evenings: Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7 pm
Sunday mornings: 9:10 - 10 am (seated by 9:05)

Dharma discussion
Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8 pm following evening zazen
We take turns reading aloud and discussing a few paragraphs at a time from our current dharma book selection, as a springboard for discussing our day to day practice insights and questions more generally. We are currently reading and discussing The Roots of Goodness by Kosho Uchiyama. You don't have to be familiar with the text to join us for discussion.

Dharma talks
Sundays, 10:10 - 11 am
Our senior dharma teacher, founding teacher, or a senior practitioner speaks about a text, teaching or element of practice.  These talks are not aimed at beginners, but they are a great way to get some grounding in Zen teachings and ask your questions about the topic of the day.  
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For information about practice forms for Sunday mornings, please see this page. ​​

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See our Schedules and calendars page for complete information about in-person and virtual practice activities coming up at Sanshin.