Chicago Zen Center

07/02/2026

Last weekend 18 members gathered for an all weekend Sangha workathon. We began revitalizing our deteriorating front porch, stuffed more cushions to support a growing sangha, and removed 52 years of accumulation from our attic. Many thanks to all those that attended and to those able to support us from afar.

02/01/2026

Thanks to steady morning attendance we recently added a Monday morning sitting. All are welcome. If you’re brand new to practice it’s best to come the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm for our Intro to Practice.

02/01/2026

Our Umpan (mealtime bell) was gifted to us decades ago by the late great Harada Tangen Roshi of .fukui.obama Swipe for some pictures taken by our Head of Zendo during his stay there.

06/29/2024

01/17/2024

This year as we celebrate 50 years as an incorporated Zen Center we'll be taking a walk down memory lane. Here's our founder Roshi Philip Kapleau, no doubt clearing his throat and rifling through notes, on our porch in the mid-80's. Next photo is a large workshop held in a nearby church in 1984. The largest workshop in North America according to the photos' caption.

11/10/2023

Join us for our 4–Day Rohatsu Sesshin
Wednesday Dec. 6, 7:30pm to Sunday, Dec. 10, noonish. Details on our website.

11/05/2023

Join us on Friday, November 17 at 7:00-9:30pm for our annual Temple Night and Jukai. Keeping with the Kapleau/Rochester tradition, we set up elaborate altars around the center and practice freely among them. At the conclusion Jukai is taken in the Buddha Hall.

09/28/2023

Change in leadership brings a slight modification to our weekly schedule. Our Monday night sitting, which features two 50-minute rounds of zazen, has been moved to Thursday nights. For more information, check our website calendar or DM us here.

09/26/2023

The wheel turns...

The Buddha Hall was at capacity last Sunday to witness Ven. Yusan Graham pass on the Hossu on to Ven. Shodhin Geiman. Many thanks to all who attended.