Sickness and medicine are in accord with each other. The whole world is medicine. What am I?— YUNMEN
We continue to offer partial (hybrid) opening of several regular and special MBZC activities.
Weekly Evening Zazen, service and talk is now offered in-person and over Zoom. “Hybrid” labeled activities are both in-person and over Zoom. As each MBZC activity may be conducted a little differently, please direct questions to the leader whose email follows each activity below, or you will find attached to activities announced elsewhere on the site.
Zoom ALL-Activities’ Direct Access-click here
PLEASE SAVE or BOOKMARK THE LINK and INFORMATION in case this page is ever unavailable.
(Simple join: Open this page, click direct link above and follow Zoom directions)
Meeting ID: 597 085 0569
Passcode: 195454
Phone users (for those familiar with phone Zoom access or Learn to Zoom is recommended):
One tap mobile +16699006833,,5970850569# US (San Jose)
Local +1 669 900 6833 US San Jose, requires the passcode
Learn to Zoom or use “Zoom ALL-Meetings” link above if you do not yet have a zoom account.
PLEASE SAVE or BOOKMARK THE LINK and INFORMATION in case this page is ever unavailable.
Diane Wells and Robert Reese are coordinating the online practice Zoom sessions.
For more information:
Tuesday Evening Zazen (Hybrid at the Cherry)
Practice Discussion
Once a month zazen instruction
Here is the place; here the way unfolds. — Eihei Dogen Zenji
Revival of our pre-pandemic Tuesday Night schedule. (Tuesdays also continue on Zoom.)
6:30 to 7:05 PM Zazen
7:05 to 7:10 PM Kinhin
7:10 to 7:20 PM Service
7:25 to 7:45 PM Talk
7:45 to 8:00 PM Questions/discussion/announcements
Donations direct to MBZC.
Any donation amount, as affordable, always gratefully accepted.
Practice Discussion
Face-to-face practice discussions (10 minutes to 1 hour) available either during Zazen meditation on Tuesday evenings or other mutually arranged times, including online via Zoom.
Scheduling and donations arranged directly with teachers.
Zazen Instruction
At 5:30 PM on the first Tuesday of each month zazen instruction is offered (in-person only) at the Cherry just prior to zazen at 6:30 PM. No registration is required.
Brown Bag Zen (Hybrid at McGowan House)
(led by Guy Riina and Diane Wells)
The informal lunch-time meditation group meets Fridays from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Emphasizing a broad, user-friendly approach to Soto Zen, the meeting includes a twenty minute meditation, a short, personal reflection by a Sangha member, and discussion. Brown Bag Zen accentuates Zen practice and personal Dharma in ordinary life.
As affordable, donations can be made via the portal ( as “Brown Bag”), or by sending a check to Monterey Bay Zen Center, P.O. 3173, Monterey, CA 93942. Please add a note as you submit your online donation or in the memo line on your check.
Morning Zazen (Hybrid on both Monday and Thursday at McGowan House
Every week on Mondays and Thursdays 7:15 to 8:30 AM
We will meet every Monday and Thursday at the McGowan House Zendo as well as on Zoom.
PLEASE NOTE: Both Monday and Thursday Morning Zazen are now held at the McGowan House Zendo.
The Zendo and Zoom room will be open early so people can arrive and settle before the bell. The meditation will begin with 3 bells at 7:15 am. The online ino/doan will point the camera to the altar in the Zendo. You can aim your camera at your altar, at yourself, or anywhere you want. After 40 minutes of meditation, the bell rings once and we will chant our morning service. For Zoom participants, the morning chants and sutras is linked here: Online Sutra Book. Please print the page and keep near your seat. If you need a printed copy, please let Diane know and she will get a copy in the mail. After chanting we will do a short soji (cleaning the temple); at home people can straighten up their own practice area or rooms. Finally, you may enjoy a cup of our morning beverage (or your own) and spend some time together with us.
Ordinary Recovery (Hybrid at the Cherry)
Saturdays 9:00 to 10:00 AM
Room opens early and remains open so people can chat before and after the meeting.