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Getting Started

Membership in the Toronto Zen Centre is open to all people regardless of age, race, national origin, creed, sex, or sexual orientation. Zen training, while it arises out of the Buddhist tradition, can serve as a valuable adjunct to any religion, calming and centering the mind, and promoting stability, mindfulness, and clarity.

TZC front entry

After attending an Introductory Workshop, those who wish to experience formal practice at the Zen Centre can participate in a complementary month-long trial membership program, and may attend as many formal sittings & events as they wish, before deciding about becoming a member. To become a member, after completing their trial membership, one then submits a Membership Application.

When submitting an application for Membership, people are requested to support the work of the Zen Centre by making a monetary pledge commensurate with their financial situation. Membership includes the privilege of continuing to attend all formal Centre events and private instruction with Sensei Taigen Henderson. Members are also given opportunity to attend retreats, and receive all of the Zen Centre mailings and weekly bulletins concerning upcoming practice events. While non-members are welcome to attend events on an occasional basis -- after checking with the Centre -- private instruction is restricted to members & trial members of the Centre.

Getting Started through an Introductory Workshop

Whether you are completely new to Buddhism or already have a spiritual practice and want to sit at the Toronto Zen Centre, the most in-depth way to get started is to attend an Introductory Workshop.

    • If you are curious about Buddhism—Workshops give an overview of the life of the Buddha and the development of the Buddhist Path.

    • If you want to learn how to meditate—Workshops have in-depth instruction in the postures, practices, and forms of Zen meditation (zazen).

    • If you are new to Zen and looking for support—Workshops introduce you to the teacher and community of the Toronto Zen Centre.

    • If you are experienced in Zen and looking for a place to practice—Workshops are our most thorough point of entry. By coming to a Workshop you have taken the first step to membership in the Toronto Zen Centre.

Getting Started through Receiving Instruction

TZC Walkway

The most readily available way to get started at the Zen Centre is to make arrangements (at least a day or two in advance) with the Centre office to come for an orientation appointment -- made just prior to a specified formal sitting. There is no charge.

Orientation Appointments -- Best times to come:

    •        Tuesday and Thursday evening at 5:45 p.m.
    •        Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m.

Evening sitting times on Tuesdays and Thursdays are from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. In addition to rounds of zazen meditation, evening sittings may include events such as ceremonies, chanting services, or private instruction with the teacher. Chanting services usually alternate with Dokusan (or Private Instruction) as part of the regular Zen Centre schedule, from week to week. One can also make arrangements for an early morning orientation, in advance of a weekday morning sitting.

Sunday sittings are from 9 -- 11:45 a.m. and consist of rounds of sitting zazen, with short periods of walking meditation after each round. Sunday morning sittings also regularly include a talk (called a Teisho) by Sensei Henderson.

Making An Orientation Appointment:

Please let us know if you wish to come, so that arrangements can be made for a senior member to provide you with instruction and orientation in the fundamentals of Zen meditation. On occasion, the Centre is closed for holidays or sesshin retreats, so it's important to contact the office (weekdays only) before coming.

After orientation and instruction, newcomers are welcome to join others in the zendo (meditation room) for the rest of the sitting. Once you have received instruction, you may attend weekday morning sittings whenever you wish. If you wish to become a trial member, you may also attend evening and Sunday morning sittings, and are eligible to receive private instruction from Sensei Henderson. It is not necessary to receive instruction every time you come unless you would like a refresher course. The person in charge of the sitting can help you with any questions you might have before or after the sitting.

Getting Started Reading

Reading List —There are many excellent books on Buddhism and Zen. We have a short reading list to get you started.

Getting Started FAQs

    • Are newcomers welcome? Newcomers are always welcome to attend morning sittings. However, it is a good idea to call ahead and let us know you are coming. Occasionally the Centre is closed due to scheduled events or holidays.

    • What should I wear? Loose, comfortable clothes are recommended. Please wear clean, modest clothing and do not wear shorts or sleeveless shirts. Jeans are usually too tight for comfortable sitting.

    • I already belong to a house of worship. Is that okay? Yes, it is. Zen practice does not require believing in specific doctrines.  There are Zen Centre members who also attend church or synagogue.

    • Is Zen practice compatible with Twelve Step Programs? Absolutely. The practices of Zen are both similar to and enhance Twelve Step Programs.

    • Is it necessary to have some background in Zen Buddhism before coming to the Centre?  No, it is not. Zen practice is not about learning or knowing in an intellectual, conceptual sense. Rather, it is the direct, concrete experience of life just as it is.

    • What about reading? The best way to learn about Zen is to practice it. If, however, you would like to do some reading, we have a short recommended reading list.

    • I am unable to fold my legs and sit on a cushion. Are there any other options? Yes. Many people sit on chairs rather than cushions. There are always chairs available in the meditation room. We also have sitting benches and a variety of cushions.

    • Do I have to become a member to sit at the Centre? If you wish to attend morning sittings only, it is not necessary to become a member. If you wish to attend the occasional evening or Sunday sitting you can become a friend of the Centre. Membership is for those who wish to support the Centre. Members may attend all sittings, participate in ceremonies and retreats and receive private instruction from Sensei Henderson.

    • If I don’t live in the area can I still participate? Many of our members do not live in the greater Toronto area. Out-of-town members come to sit at the Centre when they are able, attend retreats as their situations permit, and maintain their sitting practice with groups in their area or on their own.