Fundamentals of Zen Buddhism
2025-07-07 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-07-14 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-07-21 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-07-28 18:30 - 20:00 (Europe/London) | The Buddhist Society, 58 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PH, United Kingdom
Mondays at 6.30pm
In person and online classes for members and those who have completed the Introducing Buddhism Course or equivalent
New members wishing to join the class are requested to email librarianatthebuddhistsocietydotorg
The class is usually held on a Monday evening at 6.30 – 8.00pm.
All members of the Society are welcome to attend, provided that they have some familiarity with the basic principles of Buddhist teaching and practice.
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Newcomers are most welcome to join at anytime, but a familiarity with the basic principles of Buddhism is expected. It is recommended that those who wish to attend Fundamentals of Zen, first take the 7-week Introducing Buddhism course.
In order to benefit fully, regular attendance at the Zen class is recommended.
Each class includes a talk on some specific point of Zen practice, and in this way participants become familiar with the sayings and stories of the old Zen masters.
Participants are introduced to the essentials of the quiet sitting practice (zazen) and are given guidelines for practicing at home. (Sitting meditation on a cushion if possible, otherwise on a chair.)
Participants are also given suggestions for practice in their daily lives, and are helped to discover for themselves how to practice Zen in their ordinary day-to-day activities.
In the regular practice discussion periods, there are opportunities to discuss any difficulties, and to learn from each others experience how these difficulties may be overcome.
The class ends with a short period of formal meditation and chanting.
Once students have shown that they have settled into the Daily Life Practice, which includes a practical understanding of ‘giving myself wholeheartedly into whatever activity is being done at this moment’, as well as working with the emotions, they will then be invited to join the main zazen group that meets on Tuesday and Friday at the Buddhist Society.

Class Material Website:
http://living-buddhism-courses.org/mon-zen/
