Our campus is currently closed due to COVID-19, but we are offering many programs through Zoom, including some morning sittings and services. Check our upcoming events page for more information. Below is a description of our usual daily schedule, which we hope to return to soon.
Daily Sitting and Service Schedule
Most of the practice at ZCLA follows a fairly consistent daily routine. It is helpful to know that this is also impermanent and tends to vary depending on the needs of the schedule. In general the days at ZCLA are as follows:
Wednesday through Friday morning
| 5:55 – 7:00am | Zazen (Sitting Meditation) |
| 6:30am | Stand & Stretch Bell (you may enter or leave quickly) |
| 7:00am | Verse of the Kesa |
| 7:05am | Service in the Buddha Hall |
Wednesday and Thursday evening
| 7:15pm | Service in the Buddha Hall |
| 7:30 – 8:05pm | Zazen |
| 8:05 – 8:15pm | Kinhin* (talk on Thursday night in Dharma Hall) |
| 8:15 – 8:50pm | Zazen |
| 8:50pm | Closure of the day with Four Vows and 3 full prostrations |
Saturday morning
| 8:30am | Service in the Buddha Hall |
| 9:00 – 9:35am | Zazen |
| 9:35 – 9:45am | Kinhin* |
| 9:45 – 10:20am | Zazen |
| 10:20 – 10:30am | Kinhin* |
| 10:30 – 11:00am | Zazen, ends with Four Vows and bows |
| Followed by | Temple cleaning (ca. 15min) |
Sunday Morning
| 8:30am | Gate of Sweet Nectar Service in the Buddha Hall |
| 9:00 – 9:35am | Zazen |
| 9:35 – 9:45am | Kinhin* |
| 9:45 – 10:20am | Zazen |
| Followed by | Four Vows and three full prostrations |
| 10:30am | Closing Ceremony |
*You may enter or leave the Zendo during Kinhin.
Beginners Wednesday:
This is an evening to practice being a beginner. Walking into a Buddhist Zen center can be like entering an unknown culture. On Beginner’s Wednesday everyone is welcome to enter the Zen Center gates and begin to learn Zen ritual, protocols, and meditation (zazen). This involves inviting the beginner within each of us to step out of our comfort zone, makes mistakes and adjustments by learning something new. Newcomers to the Zen Center of Los Angeles will be guided through the Wednesday evening schedule, offered Zen meditation instruction, learn some basic Zen forms and rituals, and have the opportunity to speak with a teacher.
Thursday night:
Thursday evenings we sit for one period, then we go down to the Dharma hall to listen to a Teisho given by Roshi, or a Dharma Talk by one of our teachers, or a talk by a student.
Saturday:
Saturday mornings usually follow the routine above and end at 11:30am The Day of Reflection has a slight change of the routine. Please check the Bulletin Board or read the “This Week” email for special events and the Day of Reflection calendar.
Sunday:
Sunday mornings after the Zendo schedule we meet at 11:00 in the Dharma Hall for a Dharma Talk, a chat, a Public Face-to-Face or special presentation.
In the afternoon there are often classes, workshops, teachings, circles, and so on.
Face-to-Face Meeting and Interviews:
Head Teacher Roshi Egyoku (members only): Friday mornings and Sunday mornings.
Wednesday evening and Saturday and Sunday mornings: A Senior Teacher (Sensei) or Senior Student