Join us for outdoor meditation in the beautiful setting of Osaka Garden in Jackson Park.

These sessions provide an opportunity for seated meditation surrounded by the natural beauty of one of Chicago's most unique public spaces.

What to bring: Please bring a towel, blanket, or yoga mat for sitting. Wear comfortable clothing and dress appropriately for the weather, as all sessions are held outdoors.

Registration is limited to 15 participants each session, but will accept walk-ins if capacity allows. Registration is highly recommended.

Saturday, June 20, 10 AM - 11 AM

Location: Jackson (Andrew) Park

6401 S. Stony Island Ave. Chicago, IL 60637

Click Here To Register

Join Rev. Gakudo Midgley of the Daiyuzenji Rinzai Zen Temple for an introduction to traditional seated meditation in the Osaka Garden, alternating Saturdays. Every first Saturday will provide an introduction for beginners exploring simple yet powerful methods for cultivating calm attention through upright posture, natural breathing, and focused awareness before our regular session, including opportunities for questions. Over time, participants learn how steady attention and relaxed presence can support clarity, balance, and resilience in everyday life. These intro sessions introduce the fundamentals of seated meditation in a simple, practical way. Participants will learn how posture, breathing, and attention work together to develop calmness, stability, and clear awareness. Over the course of the summer sessions, participants will gradually become familiar with:

● Comfortable and balanced sitting posture

● Natural breathing as a focus for attention

● Methods for steadying the mind

● Developing relaxed concentration and awareness

All dates welcome return guests to continue their practice for regular sitting starting at 11AM.

First Saturday of the month begins at 10AM for beginners and leads into 11AM for continuing practitioners.

We hope all will come to experience the Osaka Garden one breath at a time.

Registration is limited to 15 participants each session, but will accept walk-ins if capacity allows. Registration is highly recommended.

Jun 6, 2026

Saturday, 10 AM - 11 AM

Location: Jackson (Andrew) Park

6401 S. Stony Island Ave. Chicago, IL 60637

Click Here To Register

 Zazenkai offers a full-day retreat dedicated to meditation. It provides a chance to enrich your meditation practice by partaking in uninterrupted zazen, walking meditation, mindful work practice, meals, and meetings with our teacher. Zazenkai is suitable for beginners as well as experienced practitioners.

Requested Donation $100. Please donate via Paypal.

Spaces are limited, RSVP to secure your spot!

To RSVP, click here.

Veterans are welcome to attend at no cost.

If cost is a barrier, please email us — we’re happy to help make participation possible. Email Daiyuzenji@gmail.com

Shakuhachi Group Class

Join our ongoing Shakuhachi Group Class at Daiyuzenji, guided by Trevor West. The shakuhachi is a traditional Japanese bamboo flute historically used in Zen practice as a form of “blowing meditation,” cultivating breath, attention, and presence. Playing develops deep, relaxed breathing, refines posture, strengthens lung capacity, and encourages focused listening and a quiet, grounded mind.

Classes meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 6:00 PM and are followed by zazen (seated meditation) at 7:00 PM.

All levels are welcome, and new students may join at any time. Flutes are available to borrow, or bring your own.

$20 requested donation. RSVP Here

Join us at Gethsemane Garden Center as we partner again to offer ikebana workshops this Spring. The sessions will be led by Sensei Enmei Hunter, a student of Nakashima Sensei.

Ikebana, sometimes called kadō or “the way of flowers,” is the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging. The practice emphasizes balance, simplicity, and respect for nature, focusing on line and form.

Workshops are open to all, and no prior experience is necessary. All materials provided. Limited Capacity.

• Morning Session, 10:30 AM - 12 PM: Click Here to Register

• Afternoon Session, 1 - 2:30 PM: Click Here to Register

Join us for a hands-on introduction to this timeless art.

Sunday, April 12
Gethsemane Gardens
5739 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60660

Shakuhachi Group Class

Join our ongoing Shakuhachi Group Class at Daiyuzenji, guided by Trevor West. The shakuhachi is a traditional Japanese bamboo flute historically used in Zen practice as a form of “blowing meditation,” cultivating breath, attention, and presence. Playing develops deep, relaxed breathing, refines posture, strengthens lung capacity, and encourages focused listening and a quiet, grounded mind.

Classes meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 6:00 PM and are followed by zazen (seated meditation) at 7:00 PM.

All levels are welcome, and new students may join at any time. Flutes are available to borrow, or bring your own.

$20 requested donation. RSVP Here

Shakuhachi Group Class

Join our ongoing Shakuhachi Group Class at Daiyuzenji, guided by Trevor West. The shakuhachi is a traditional Japanese bamboo flute historically used in Zen practice as a form of “blowing meditation,” cultivating breath, attention, and presence. Playing develops deep, relaxed breathing, refines posture, strengthens lung capacity, and encourages focused listening and a quiet, grounded mind.

Classes meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 6:00 PM and are followed by zazen (seated meditation) at 7:00 PM.

All levels are welcome, and new students may join at any time. Flutes are available to borrow, or bring your own.

$20 requested donation. RSVP Here

BREATHWORK SEMINAR

Proper use of posture and breath, as well as understanding the key components of the breathing mechanism, are the foundation of a good meditation practice and optimal functioning in all other daily activities.

In this workshop, you will learn a number of various deep breathing patterns as practiced at Daiyuzenji and how you can use them to experience:

• lowered blood pressure and heart rate.

• reduced levels of stress hormones in the blood.

• reduced lactic acid build-up in muscle tissue.

• balanced levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.

• improved immune system functioning.

• increased physical energy.

• increased feelings of calm and well-being.

Requested donation $65
Veterans are welcome to attend at no cost.

If cost is a barrier, please email us — we’re happy to help make participation possible.

Limited Capacity. To RSVP, click here.

Shakuhachi Group Class

Join our ongoing Shakuhachi Group Class at Daiyuzenji, guided by Trevor West. The shakuhachi is a traditional Japanese bamboo flute historically used in Zen practice as a form of “blowing meditation,” cultivating breath, attention, and presence. Playing develops deep, relaxed breathing, refines posture, strengthens lung capacity, and encourages focused listening and a quiet, grounded mind.

Classes meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 6:00 PM and are followed by zazen (seated meditation) at 7:00 PM.

All levels are welcome, and new students may join at any time. Flutes are available to borrow, or bring your own.

$20 requested donation. RSVP Here

Beginner's Meditation workshop—An Introduction to Zen Buddhism

Join us for a practical, hands-on session designed to help you start and maintain a regular meditation practice—no matter your experience level. This workshop offers an approachable entry point into Zen Buddhism, making it ideal for beginners.

As part of the session, participants will receive a copy of "Introduction to Zen Training: A Physical Approach to Meditation and Mind-Body Training" by Omori Sogen—one of the foremost Zen teachers of the twentieth century. The book, a translation of Sanzen Nyumon, serves as a foundational guide for beginners in Zen practice. Omori Sogen Roshi was the dharma predecessor of Dogen Hosokawa Roshi, founder of Daiyuzenji.

Suggested Donation:

• $40 (includes the book)

• $20 (without the book)

Donations can be made via PayPal. No prior experience is necessary all are welcome!

Spaces are limited, RSVP to secure your spot!

To RSVP, click here.

Join us at Daiyuzenji for a traditional New Year gathering to mark the start of the Year of the Fire Horse.

The evening will include seated meditation, the tolling of the temple bell 108 times, okyō and reflections from Tesshin Hōzan Roshi.

In Zen tradition, the 108 bell tolls represent the habits, distractions, and patterns that accumulate over time. Each strike of the bell offers a moment to let something go and return to what is present, here and now.

The Year of the Fire Horse is often associated with strong energy, movement, and momentum. This gathering offers a chance to enter the new year with clarity and intention.

All are welcome. Join us for some or all of the evening.

Click here to RSVP

Join us as we close out the year with a deep cleanse of the temple, clearing the old and preparing the space for the year ahead. After the cleaning, we’ll gather briefly to mark the occasion and set our intentions for 2026. Tesshin Brand Roshi will share guidance for the coming year.

Please RSVP so we can get a sense of supplies needed and ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate.

Saturday, January 3, 2026
Noon to 5:00 PM

We look forward to seeing you.

Shodo means “way of writing," but there is much more here than meets the eye. Our focus is on the meditative aspects of this form of calligraphy. We will start by practicing basic strokes while focusing on posture, breath and observing how the subtleties in aesthetics are affected by our own condition.

Beginners welcome and materials are provided.

Saturday, October 11, 12 - 3 PM
Requested donation $40 for non-Members.

Limited Capacity. To RSVP,  click here

Join us at Gethsemane Garden Center as we partner again to offer ikebana workshops this fall. The sessions will be led by Sensei Enmei Hunter, a student of Nakashima Sensei.

Ikebana, sometimes called kadō or “the way of flowers,” is the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging. The practice emphasizes balance, simplicity, and respect for nature, focusing on line and form.

Workshops are open to all, and no prior experience is necessary. All materials provided.

Sessions:
Sunday, September 28

• Morning Session, 10:30 AM - 12 PM: Register Here

• Afternoon Session, 1:30 - 3 PM: Register Here

Join us for a hands-on introduction to this timeless art.

Beginner's Meditation workshop—An Introduction to Zen Buddhism

Join us for a practical, hands-on session designed to help you start and maintain a regular meditation practice—no matter your experience level. This workshop offers an approachable entry point into Zen Buddhism, making it ideal for beginners.

As part of the session, participants will receive a copy of "Introduction to Zen Training: A Physical Approach to Meditation and Mind-Body Training" by Omori Sogen—one of the foremost Zen teachers of the twentieth century. The book, a translation of Sanzen Nyumon, serves as a foundational guide for beginners in Zen practice. Omori Sogen Roshi was the dharma predecessor of Dogen Hosokawa Roshi, founder of Daiyuzenji.

Saturday, September 27, 11 AM - 2 PM

Suggested Donation:

• $40 (includes the book)

• $20 (without the book)

Donations can be made via PayPal. No prior experience is necessary all are welcome!

Spaces are limited, RSVP to secure your spot!

To RSVP, click here.

Introduction to Zen Meditation in the Osaka Garden
Every Other Saturday | July 26 – September 20 | 8:00 AM

Join us for summer outdoor Introduction to Zen Meditation sessions at the historic Osaka Garden located on Wooden Island in Jackson Park in Hyde Park. These sessions are held every other Saturday and are open to anyone interested in learning the basics of Zen meditation (zazen).

Each session covers basic information about Zen, including posture, breathing, and the mental aspects of meditation. There will also be time for questions and discussion. No experience is required. A limited number of cushions will be provided—participants are encouraged to bring their own if possible.

Osaka Garden, Jackson Park
6401 S. Stony Island Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60637
Click Here to RSVP

This season, our training turns to the Autumn kata of the Hōjō — Uten Saten (right turn / left turn, change and transformation).

The Autumn form carries a unique rhythm: not the explosive power of Summer, nor the bright surge of Spring, but a measured and varied pace, alive with transition. It is the season of maturity — when life ripens, cools, and begins its transformation.

Through the study of Uten Saten, we discover that martial strength is not only found in force but also in adaptability, awareness, and balance. Each shift of direction mirrors the changes of life itself, teaching us to flow with rhythm, embrace transformation, and stand grounded amid uncertainty.

This seminar offers a rare chance to engage deeply with the poetic spirit of the sword and to experience firsthand how Hōjō guides us in both combat and in living with clarity.

Join us and embody Autumn’s lesson: Uten Saten — the turning that transforms.

The Hojo Kata is used as an embodied method at Daiyuzenji to help practitioners unify the breath, mind, and body and ground them in a vigorous, immersive physical activity, cutting off habits and ultimately helping in the realization through these methods:

• Correct breathing

• Correct posture

• Correct frame of mind

The Hojo kata is a series of slow, meditative sword forms we use in conjunction with our other Zen practices to develop energetic intensity in movement, breathing, and focus.

This session will focus on the most fundamental aspects of Hojo and is completely accessible to beginners; anyone interested in exploring the connection between breath, posture, movement and meditation will thus be able to benefit from the workshop. The session also includes two periods of zazen (seated meditation).

As Daiyuzenji members know, our lineage is unique in its emphasis on the embodied elements of Zen practice, and this is why we are one of very few Zen temples in the USA at which the Hojo kata can be learned and experienced.

Saturday, September 13, 12 - 5 PM
Requested donation $40 for non-Members.

Limited Capacity. To RSVP,  click here

Introduction to Zen Meditation in the Osaka Garden
Every Other Saturday | July 26 – September 20 | 8:00 AM

Join us for summer outdoor Introduction to Zen Meditation sessions at the historic Osaka Garden located on Wooden Island in Jackson Park in Hyde Park. These sessions are held every other Saturday and are open to anyone interested in learning the basics of Zen meditation (zazen).

Each session covers basic information about Zen, including posture, breathing, and the mental aspects of meditation. There will also be time for questions and discussion. No experience is required. A limited number of cushions will be provided—participants are encouraged to bring their own if possible.

Osaka Garden, Jackson Park
6401 S. Stony Island Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60637
Click Here to RSVP

Introduction to Zen Meditation in the Osaka Garden
Every Other Saturday | July 26 – September 20 | 8:00 AM

Join us for summer outdoor Introduction to Zen Meditation sessions at the historic Osaka Garden located on Wooden Island in Jackson Park in Hyde Park. These sessions are held every other Saturday and are open to anyone interested in learning the basics of Zen meditation (zazen).

Each session covers basic information about Zen, including posture, breathing, and the mental aspects of meditation. There will also be time for questions and discussion. No experience is required. A limited number of cushions will be provided—participants are encouraged to bring their own if possible.

Osaka Garden, Jackson Park
6401 S. Stony Island Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60637
Click Here to RSVP

Summer Zazenkai.

Zazenkai offers a full-day retreat dedicated to meditation. It provides a chance to enrich your meditation practice by partaking in uninterrupted zazen, walking meditation, a dharma talk, mindful work practice, meals, and meetings with our teacher. Zazenkai is suitable for beginners as well as experienced practitioners.

Saturday, August 16, 10 AM - 7 PM

Requested Donation $100. Please donate via Paypal.

Spaces are limited, RSVP to secure your spot!

To RSVP, click here.

Introduction to Zen Meditation in the Osaka Garden
Every Other Saturday | July 26 – September 20 | 8:00 AM

Join us for summer outdoor Introduction to Zen Meditation sessions at the historic Osaka Garden located on Wooden Island in Jackson Park in Hyde Park. These sessions are held every other Saturday and are open to anyone interested in learning the basics of Zen meditation (zazen).

Each session covers basic information about Zen, including posture, breathing, and the mental aspects of meditation. There will also be time for questions and discussion. No experience is required. A limited number of cushions will be provided—participants are encouraged to bring their own if possible.

Osaka Garden, Jackson Park
6401 S. Stony Island Ave.
Chicago, IL 60637
Click Here to RSVP