New Years Eve
Each December 31 we bring in the New Year with a rich evening of sitting and ceremonies. The evening begins at 8:00 with zazen, followed by a release and renewal ceremony, designed to help us let go of painful habits and start the new year on a positive note. At midnight, we have a Jukai ceremony, renewing our vows for the new year. Bring a dish of festive vegetarian food to share at the end of the night. See our email updates or contact the Centre for more details.
Jukai is the Mahayana Taking-the-Precepts ceremony, in which students receive the Sixteen Precepts, and commit to putting them into practice to the best of their ability. We recite a repentance gatha (verse) as a means of purification prior to receiving the sixteen precepts: The Three Refuges, the Three General Resolutions and the Ten Cardinal Precepts.
Summer sesshin (2025)
Our sesshins are seven-day long silent retreats. We hold two a year, one in summer and one in spring. Both are held at Bella Rakha, a beautiful retreat centre on the outskirts of Auckland city.
Sesshin is conducted in disciplined silence, with every aspect of the day supporting whole-hearted practice and focus on the present moment. Dokusan (one-to-one instruction with the teacher) is offered three times a day, and additional sitting, outside of the formal rounds, is encouraged. Prior zazen experience is required for sesshin.
Parinirvana
Celebrated each year in February, this ceremony honours the Buddha's Parinirvana, the day of his death or final entry into nirvana. The ceremony is held on a Tuesday evening, with sitting starting at the usual time. After sitting there is chanting and a reading from the Mahaparinibbana Sutta
Workshop
Introduction to Zen Meditation
For newcomers to Zen, our introductory workshops offered five times a year at our Onehunga zendo in Auckland. The workshop numbers are limited (20 max), to ensure that everyone has plenty of chances to ask questions and get individual advice. Please register by filling out the online registration form.
Even if you have practiced elsewhere, attendance is recommended, as a way of getting a solid introduction to our style of Zen. Everyone who has completed our workshop is welcome to take part in any of our sittings and ceremonies.
Workshop
Introduction to Zen Meditation
For newcomers to Zen, our introductory workshops offered five times a year at our Onehunga zendo in Auckland. The workshop numbers are limited (20 max), to ensure that everyone has plenty of chances to ask questions and get individual advice. Please register by filling out the online registration form.
Even if you have practiced elsewhere, attendance is recommended, as a way of getting a solid introduction to our style of Zen. Everyone who has completed our workshop is welcome to take part in any of our sittings and ceremonies.
Earth Day
Each year AZC joins the global Earth Day celebrations. We mark this day on a Sunday in April with two rounds of sitting then a ceremony of aid for the earth and her peoples. This is followed by a hearty morning tea and an hour of service- gardening, tree planting or rubbish collection in our community.
Founder's Day
Each May we mark the death day of Roshi Philip Zentetsu Kapleau (1912-2004), the founder of our lineage. Following the usual sitting there is a special chanting service and a short talk about his life and contribution to Western Zen.
Workshop
Introduction to Zen Meditation
For newcomers to Zen, our introductory workshops offered five times a year at our Onehunga zendo in Auckland. The workshop numbers are limited (20 max), to ensure that everyone has plenty of chances to ask questions and get individual advice. Please register by filling out the online registration form.
Even if you have practiced elsewhere, attendance is recommended, as a way of getting a solid introduction to our style of Zen. Everyone who has completed our workshop is welcome to take part in any of our sittings and ceremonies.
Matariki Jukai
Our mid-winter Jukai ceremony. Jukai is the Mahayana Taking-the-Precepts ceremony, in which students receive the Sixteen Precepts, and commit to putting them into practice to the best of their ability. The ceremony opens with the chanting of the Heart Sutra, then we recite a repentance gatha (verse) as a means of purification prior to receiving the sixteen precepts: The Three Refuges, the Three General Resolutions and the Ten Cardinal Precepts, each repeated three times. All are welcome
Workshop
Introduction to Zen Meditation
For newcomers to Zen, our introductory workshops offered five times a year at our Onehunga zendo in Auckland. The workshop numbers are limited (20 max), to ensure that everyone has plenty of chances to ask questions and get individual advice. Please register by filling out the online registration form.
Even if you have practiced elsewhere, attendance is recommended, as a way of getting a solid introduction to our style of Zen. Everyone who has completed our workshop is welcome to take part in any of our sittings and ceremonies.
Spring sesshin (2025)
Our sesshins are seven-day long silent retreats. We hold two a year, in spring and summer. All our sesshins are held at Bella Rakha, a beautiful retreat centre on the outskirts of Auckland city.
Sesshin is conducted in disciplined silence, with every aspect of the day supporting whole-hearted practice and focus on the present moment. Dokusan (one-to-one instruction with the teacher) is offered three times a day, and additional sitting, outside of the formal rounds, is encouraged. Prior zazen experience is required for sesshin.
Kannon Day
Each year we pay our respects to Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion with a ceremony and an opportunity to relieve suffering. The Sunday sitting begins at the usual time (8:30), followed by the ceremony, which includes the ceremonial chanting of the Ten-Verse Kannon Sutra 108 times. We do prostrations for part of the chanting, and there is also an opportunity to make a pledge of a monetary donation at the altar if you wish, to Amnesty International. In addition, Roshi gives a short talk about Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and reads the 25th Chapter of the Lotus Sutra on the powers of Avalokitesvara (Kannon). The ceremony is then followed by morning tea and letter-writing for prisoners of conscience. If you have a Kannon figure at home, bring it for the altar.
Bodhidharma Day
Each October we celebrate the death day of the founder of Zen, Bodhidharma. The sitting starts at the usual time and will include two rounds of zazen, followed by a special ceremony. Sent by his teacher Prajnatara, Bodhidharma made the long and dangerous journey from Southern India to China in the 5th Century C.E., where he sat facing a wall in meditation for nine years. He is regarded with great reverence and affection by Zen followers everywhere.
Workshop
Introduction to Zen Meditation
For newcomers to Zen, our introductory workshops offered five times a year at our Onehunga zendo in Auckland. The workshop numbers are limited (20 max), to ensure that everyone has plenty of chances to ask questions and get individual advice. Please register by filling out the online registration form.
Even if you have practiced elsewhere, attendance is recommended, as a way of getting a solid introduction to our style of Zen. Everyone who has completed our workshop is welcome to take part in any of our sittings and ceremonies.
Buddha’s Enlightenment
Celebrated each year in early December, this beautiful ceremony commemorates "the reopening of the Way" by Shakyamuni, the Buddha of our world cycle. The evening sitting starts at the usual time with zazen, then Roshi tells the story of the Buddha's Great Enlightenment, and passages from the sutras are read aloud as everyone chants. Following the ceremony a special dessert of sweetened milk-rice (kheer) is served; this is the first nourishment that the Buddha took to gain strength after his period of extreme ascetic practice and before accomplishing anuttara samyak sambodhi (complete, perfect enlightenment).
Temple Cleaning
As a precursor to our New Year's Eve celebrations we give the whole Centre a thorough clean one Sunday in December, getting into all the nooks and crannies, inside and out, that are usually overlooked. Sitting as usual 8.30-10.30 a.m. then a hearty morning tea before the work begins. Finished by 1 p.m.
New Years Eve
Each December 31 we bring in the New Year with a rich evening of sitting and ceremonies. The evening begins at 8:00 with zazen, followed by a release and renewal ceremony, designed to help us let go of painful habits and start the new year on a positive note. At midnight, we have a Jukai ceremony, renewing our vows for the new year. Bring a dish of festive vegetarian food to share at the end of the night. See our email updates or contact the Centre for more details.
Jukai is the Mahayana Taking-the-Precepts ceremony, in which students receive the Sixteen Precepts, and commit to putting them into practice to the best of their ability. We recite a repentance gatha (verse) as a means of purification prior to receiving the sixteen precepts: The Three Refuges, the Three General Resolutions and the Ten Cardinal Precepts.
Temple Cleaning
As a precursor to our New Year's Eve celebrations we give the whole Centre a thorough clean in December, getting into all the nooks and crannies, inside and out, that are usually overlooked. Sitting as usual 8.30-10.30 a.m. then a hearty morning tea before the work begins. Finished by 1 p.m.
Buddha’s Enlightenment
Celebrated each year in early December, this beautiful ceremony commemorates "the reopening of the Way" by Shakyamuni, the Buddha of our world cycle. The evening sitting starts at the usual time with zazen, then Roshi tells the story of the Buddha's Great Enlightenment, and passages from the sutras are read aloud as everyone chants. Following the ceremony a special dessert of sweetened milk-rice (kheer) is served; this is the first nourishment that the Buddha took to gain strength after his period of extreme ascetic practice and before accomplishing anuttara samyak sambodhi (complete, perfect enlightenment).
Working bee
Our regular working bee, to look after the tiny forest behind the Zendo. After our Sunday sitting and morning tea.
End of Term Intensive (Spring)
A Term Intensive is a time of renewal, a time of experimentation, a time to explore and extend our practice.
We usually hold two Term Intensives each year. Each one is about a month long, and the main purpose of the Term Intensive (or TI for short) is to provide a supportive structure for people who would like to extend or renew their Dharma practice or make changes in their daily life. We each look at our own lives and see what feels in need of shoring up or cutting away, and then to make our TI commitments accordingly. You can find the registration form for the next TI here: Term Intensive.
Workshop
Introduction to Zen Meditation
For newcomers to Zen, our introductory workshops offered five times a year at our Onehunga zendo in Auckland. The workshop numbers are limited (20 max), to ensure that everyone has plenty of chances to ask questions and get individual advice. Please register by filling out the online registration form.
Even if you have practiced elsewhere, attendance is recommended, as a way of getting a solid introduction to our style of Zen. Everyone who has completed our workshop is welcome to take part in any of our sittings and ceremonies.
Spring Urban Retreat
The “found” enso in the photo for this retreat is a reminder that, ideally, we take Zen out with us when we leave the meditation hall and go into the world - that our practice is one with our daily life and our everyday environment. Our urban retreats offer a chance to deepen practice without leaving Auckland.
Start of Term Intensive (Spring)
A Term Intensive is a time of renewal, a time of experimentation, a time to explore and extend our practice.
We usually hold two Term Intensives each year. Each one is about a month long, and the main purpose of the Term Intensive (or TI for short) is to provide a supportive structure for people who would like to extend or renew their Dharma practice or make changes in their daily life. We each look at our own lives and see what feels in need of shoring up or cutting away, and then to make our TI commitments accordingly. You can find the registration form for the next TI here: Term Intensive.
Bodhidharma Day
Each October we celebrate the death day of the founder of Zen, Bodhidharma. The sitting starts at the usual time and will include two rounds of zazen, followed by a special ceremony. Sent by his teacher Prajnatara, Bodhidharma made the long and dangerous journey from Southern India to China in the 5th Century C.E., where he sat facing a wall in meditation for nine years. He is regarded with great reverence and affection by Zen followers everywhere.
Working bee
Our regular working bee, to look after the tiny forest behind the Zendo. After our Sunday sitting and morning tea.
Kannon Day
Each year we pay our respects to Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion with a ceremony and an opportunity to relieve suffering. The Sunday sitting begins at the usual time (8:30), followed by the ceremony, which includes the ceremonial chanting of the Ten-Verse Kannon Sutra 108 times. We do prostrations for part of the chanting, and there is also an opportunity to make a pledge of a monetary donation at the altar if you wish, to Amnesty International. In addition, Roshi gives a short talk about Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and reads the 25th Chapter of the Lotus Sutra on the powers of Avalokitesvara (Kannon). The ceremony is then followed by morning tea and letter-writing for prisoners of conscience. If you have a Kannon figure at home, bring it for the altar.
Spring sesshin (2024)
Our sesshins are seven-day long silent retreats. We hold two a year, in spring and summer. All our sesshins are held at Bella Rakha, a beautiful retreat centre on the outskirts of Auckland city.
Sesshin is conducted in disciplined silence, with every aspect of the day supporting whole-hearted practice and focus on the present moment. Dokusan (one-to-one instruction with the teacher) is offered three times a day, and additional sitting, outside of the formal rounds, is encouraged. Prior zazen experience is required for sesshin.
Workshop
Introduction to Zen Meditation
For newcomers to Zen, our introductory workshops offered five times a year at our Onehunga zendo in Auckland. The workshop numbers are limited (20 max), to ensure that everyone has plenty of chances to ask questions and get individual advice. Please register by filling out the online registration form.
Even if you have practiced elsewhere, attendance is recommended, as a way of getting a solid introduction to our style of Zen. Everyone who has completed our workshop is welcome to take part in any of our sittings and ceremonies.
Matariki Jukai
Our mid-winter Jukai ceremony. Jukai is the Mahayana Taking-the-Precepts ceremony, in which students receive the Sixteen Precepts, and commit to putting them into practice to the best of their ability. The ceremony opens with the chanting of the Heart Sutra, then we recite a repentance gatha (verse) as a means of purification prior to receiving the sixteen precepts: The Three Refuges, the Three General Resolutions and the Ten Cardinal Precepts, each repeated three times. All are welcome
20th Anniversary Celebrations
It has been twenty years since the Auckland Zen Centre first opened it’s doors, and we are marking our 20th Anniversary with a weekend of celebration.
THIS EVENT HAS CHANGED ‘Putting the Mind at Rest’: a Zen public talk by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede
Change in plans for tomorrow's talk
Unfortunately Roshi Kjolhede's arrival has been delayed by several days and he will not be present for the planned public talk tomorrow. Instead Amala-roshi and Richard von Sturmer will offer their perspectives on the topic "Putting the Mind at Rest". This will be on Weds 19 June, 6 pm, at the Onehunga Community House (Room 8). All are welcome to come to the talk, no booking is required.
Workshop (Whole-day)
Introduction to Zen Meditation
For newcomers to Zen, our introductory workshops offered five times a year at our Onehunga zendo in Auckland. The workshop numbers are limited (20 max), to ensure that everyone has plenty of chances to ask questions and get individual advice. Please register by filling out the online registration form.
Even if you have practiced elsewhere, attendance is recommended, as a way of getting a solid introduction to our style of Zen. Everyone who has completed our workshop is welcome to take part in any of our sittings and ceremonies.
Vesak
Celebrated each year on a Sunday in May, this festival honouring the birth of the Buddha is enjoyed by all ages and especially by children. Vesak is our most popular family event of the year, and can be an enjoyable way to introduce children to the story of the Buddha.
A story of the Buddha's birth is followed by a short chanting service and the ceremonial bathing of the Baby Buddha. Next, we see if we can wake up the Sleeping Sage. If we can, he tells us a Jataka Tale (a legend about one the Buddha's previous lives). Finally there is birthday cake (and healthy snacks), and origami, face painting and other fun activities for children.
End of Term Intensive (Autumn)
A Term Intensive is a time of renewal, a time of experimentation, a time to explore and extend our practice.
We usually hold two Term Intensives each year. Each one is about a month long, and the main purpose of the Term Intensive (or TI for short) is to provide a supportive structure for people who would like to extend or renew their Dharma practice or make changes in their daily life. We each look at our own lives and see what feels in need of shoring up or cutting away, and then to make our TI commitments accordingly. You can find the registration form for the autumn TI here: Term Intensive.
Founder's Day
Each May we mark the death day of Roshi Philip Zentetsu Kapleau (1912-2004), the founder of our lineage. Following the usual sitting there is a special chanting service and a short talk about his life and contribution to Western Zen.
Autumn Urban Retreat
The “found” enso in the photo for this retreat is a reminder that, ideally, we take Zen out with us when we leave the meditation hall and go into the world - that our practice is one with our daily life and our everyday environment. Our autumn urban retreat offers a chance to deepen practice without leaving Auckland. The retreat will open on Thursday and finish Sunday lunchtime and is held at the Zendo in Onehunga.
Earth Day
Each year AZC joins the global Earth Day celebrations. We mark this day on a Sunday in April with two rounds of sitting then a ceremony of aid for the earth and her peoples. This is followed by a hearty morning tea and an hour of service- gardening, tree planting or rubbish collection in our community.
Workshop (Whole-day)
Introduction to Zen Meditation
For newcomers to Zen, our introductory workshops offered five times a year at our Onehunga zendo in Auckland. The workshop numbers are limited (20 max), to ensure that everyone has plenty of chances to ask questions and get individual advice. Please register by filling out the online registration form.
Even if you have practiced elsewhere, attendance is recommended, as a way of getting a solid introduction to our style of Zen. Everyone who has completed our workshop is welcome to take part in any of our sittings and ceremonies.
Start of Term Intensive (Autumn)
A Term Intensive is a time of renewal, a time of experimentation, a time to explore and extend our practice.
We usually hold two Term Intensives each year. Each one is about a month long, and the main purpose of the Term Intensive (or TI for short) is to provide a supportive structure for people who would like to extend or renew their Dharma practice or make changes in their daily life. We each look at our own lives and see what feels in need of shoring up or cutting away, and then to make our TI commitments accordingly. You can find the registration form for the autumn TI here: Term Intensive.
Working bee
Our regular working bee, to look after the tiny forest behind the Zendo. After our Sunday sitting and morning tea.
Workshop (Whole-day)
Introduction to Zen Meditation
For newcomers to Zen, our introductory workshops offered five times a year at our Onehunga zendo in Auckland. The workshop numbers are limited (20 max), to ensure that everyone has plenty of chances to ask questions and get individual advice. Please register by filling out the online registration form.
We offer a two part format (two Saturday afternoons) or a whole day format (all day Saturday).
Even if you have practiced elsewhere, attendance is recommended, as a way of getting a solid introduction to our style of Zen. Everyone who has completed our workshop (either the two-part format, or the one-day format) is welcome to take part in any of our sittings and ceremonies.
Parinirvana
Celebrated each year in February, this ceremony honours the Buddha's Parinirvana, the day of his death or final entry into nirvana. The ceremony is held on a Tuesday evening, with sitting starting at the usual time. After sitting there is chanting and a reading from the Mahaparinibbana Sutta
Summer sesshin (2024)
Our sesshins are seven-day long silent retreats. We hold two a year, one in summer and one in winter. Both are held at Bella Rakha, a beautiful retreat centre on the outskirts of Auckland city.
Sesshin is conducted in disciplined silence, with every aspect of the day supporting whole-hearted practice and focus on the present moment. Dokusan (one-to-one instruction with the teacher) is offered three times a day, and additional sitting, outside of the formal rounds, is encouraged. Prior zazen experience is required for sesshin.
New Years Eve
Each December 31 we bring in the New Year with a rich evening of sitting and ceremonies. The evening begins at 8:00 with zazen, followed by a release and renewal ceremony, designed to help us let go of painful habits and start the new year on a positive note. At midnight, we have a Jukai ceremony, renewing our vows for the new year. Bring a dish of festive vegetarian food to share at the end of the night. See our email updates or contact the Centre for more details.
Jukai is the Mahayana Taking-the-Precepts ceremony, in which students receive the Sixteen Precepts, and commit to putting them into practice to the best of their ability. We recite a repentance gatha (verse) as a means of purification prior to receiving the sixteen precepts: The Three Refuges, the Three General Resolutions and the Ten Cardinal Precepts.
Temple Cleaning
As a precursor to our New Year's Eve celebrations we give the whole Centre a thorough clean in December, getting into all the nooks and crannies, inside and out, that are usually overlooked. Sitting as usual 8.30-10.30 a.m. then a hearty morning tea before the work begins. Finished by 1 p.m.
Buddha’s Enlightenment
Celebrated each year in early December, this beautiful ceremony commemorates "the reopening of the Way" by Shakyamuni, the Buddha of our world cycle. The evening sitting starts at the usual time with zazen, then Roshi tells the story of the Buddha's Great Enlightenment, and passages from the sutras are read aloud as everyone chants. Following the ceremony a special dessert of sweetened milk-rice (kheer) is served; this is the first nourishment that the Buddha took to gain strength after his period of extreme ascetic practice and before accomplishing anuttara samyak sambodhi (complete, perfect enlightenment).
Upcoming events
