The Zen Studies Society was established in 1956 to assist the Buddhist scholar D.T. Suzuki in his efforts to introduce Zen to the West. In 1965, it came under the leadership of a Japanese Zen monk, Eido Tai Shimano, who shifted the emphasis towards zazen (Zen meditation) practice. With his dedicated energy, and the help of many dharma friends and supporters, two centers for Zen practice came into being-- New York Zendo Shobo-Ji, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-Ji, deep in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.

In 1972, Eido Shimano Roshi received dharma transmission from Soen Nakagawa Roshi, and today serves as the abbot and spiritual teacher of these two zendos in the Japanese Rinzai Zen tradition.

Our Winter 2008 Newsletter is now available online, click here. Nyogen Senzaki's “Eloquent Silence” is now available in our monastery store. From one of the great pioneers of Zen in the West, this landmark collection offers a complete commentary on “The Gateless Gate”, along with many essays, Dharma talks, letters, poetry and calligraphy. Translated by Roko Sherry Chayat with a Forward by Eido Shimano. Order now at our Monastery Store.

Our 2008 schedule of events is constantly updating. Please see Dai Bosatsu calendar and Shobo-Ji calendar.