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.
Requested donation $40 for non-Members.

PLEASE NOTE: This workshop has been rescheduled.

The October 10 Shodō & Meditation Workshop has been canceled and rescheduled for Saturday, November 7. RSVP for the November 7 workshop here.

Limited Capacity.

Mobility & Flexibility Workshop (UHP Method) Led by Jitsuzan Gentetsu (Felix Carabello) Sensei.

Join us for a practical session focused on mobility, flexibility, and reducing tension in the body. Open to all levels.

Limited capacity. Click here to RSVP.

Veterans are welcome to attend at no cost.

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

Beginner's Meditation workshop—An Introduction to Zen Meditation

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 to Zen meditation (zazen) while giving participants an in-depth understanding of its technique.

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.

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 12, 12 - 3 PM
Requested donation $40

Limited Capacity. To RSVP,  click here

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, August 29, 11 AM - 12 PM

Location: Jackson (Andrew) Park

6401 S. Stony Island Ave. Chicago, IL 60637

Click Here To Register

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, August 15, 11 AM - 12 PM

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, a dharma talk, mindful work practice, meals, and meetings with our teacher.

Zazenkai is open to both beginners and experienced practitioners. However, because the retreat follows the regular practice schedule without introductory instruction, we strongly encourage those attending for the first time to join one of our Tuesday evening meditation sessions beforehand. This will help you become familiar with the forms and make your first retreat experience more comfortable and meaningful.

Requested Donation $100. Please donate via Paypal.

Spaces are limited, RSVP to secure your spot!

To RSVP, click here.

Attendance at the Toro Nagashi Ceremony is first come, first served, and registration is no longer required. Participants may decorate and craft their lantern into any design they wish on-site from 7 -8 pm with the community.

The Chicago Park District is proud to welcome you to our annual Toro Nagashi lantern ceremony in Jackson Park’s Osaka Garden. We invite you to join us in this meaningful ceremony to process the loss of loved ones, and to strengthen our bonds as a community.

The ceremony of Toro Nagashi (literally, “floating lanterns”) is a Buddhist tradition held to celebrate the end of the Obon season. Toro Nagashi can be a smaller family affair to remember lost family members or a much bigger event to memorialize those who have been lost to natural disasters, war, and other causes. Toro Nagashi officially begins at the moment the ancestors commence their return to the spirit world. Communities come together to guide the spirits down to the water using traditional candle-lit lanterns (toro). The lanterns visually represent the spirits’ journey home. After the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the event has become linked with hopes for a more peaceful future.
Lanterns will be floated in the waters of the Osaka Garden pond, and can be placed throughout the Garden, Yoko Ono’s SKYLANDING, along with the sounds of shamisen courtesy of renowned musician Toyoaki Sanjuro of Asian Improv Arts Midwest will comfort guests throughout the evening.
Speakers include: Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, Alexandra Bell, President and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, and Dr. Yuki Miyamoto, Director of DePaul University Humanities Center and Peace Ambassador to Hiroshima. Ceremony led by Daiyuzenji Rinzai Zen Temple of Chicago.

No dogs, food, or photography are permitted in the Osaka Garden. Thank you for helping us be great stewards of this historic gem in Chicago! This event is free and accessible to all, capacity permitting.

We recommend parking in the Hayes Lot south of the garden, or on Stony Island.

This event is co-sponsored by the DePaul University Humanities Center, Japan America Society of Chicago, and supported by our partners at Asian Improv Arts Midwest, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Daiyuzenji Rinzai Zen Temple of Chicago, Japanese Arts Foundation, and Japanese Culture Center.

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, August 1, 11 AM - 12 PM

Location: Jackson (Andrew) Park

6401 S. Stony Island Ave. Chicago, IL 60637

Click Here To Register

This outdoor session provides an introduction to the fundamentals of seated meditation in the beautiful setting of Osaka Garden in Jackson Park.

Participants will learn the basics of posture, breathing, and attention, along with practical methods for developing stability and clear awareness. There will be opportunities for questions and instruction throughout the session.

The Introduction to Meditation session is offered on the first Saturday of each month and leads into the regular Outdoor Meditation session at 11:00 AM.

No prior experience is necessary.

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, August 1, 10 - 11 AM

Location: Jackson (Andrew) Park

6401 S. Stony Island Ave. Chicago, IL 60637

Click Here To Register

Mobility & Flexibility Workshop (UHP Method) Led by Jitsuzan Gentetsu (Felix Carabello) Sensei.

Join us for a practical session focused on mobility, flexibility, and reducing tension in the body. Open to all levels.

Limited capacity. Click here to RSVP.

Veterans are welcome to attend at no cost.

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

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, July 18, 11 AM - 12 PM

Location: Jackson (Andrew) Park

6401 S. Stony Island Ave. Chicago, IL 60637

Click Here To Register

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, July 4th, 11 AM - 12 PM

Location: Jackson (Andrew) Park

6401 S. Stony Island Ave. Chicago, IL 60637

Click Here To Register

This outdoor session provides an introduction to the fundamentals of seated meditation in the beautiful setting of Osaka Garden in Jackson Park.

Participants will learn the basics of posture, breathing, and attention, along with practical methods for developing stability and clear awareness. There will be opportunities for questions and instruction throughout the session.

The Introduction to Meditation session is offered on the first Saturday of each month and leads into the regular Outdoor Meditation session at 11:00 AM.

No prior experience is necessary.

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, July 4th, 10 AM - 11 AM

Location: Jackson (Andrew) Park

6401 S. Stony Island Ave. Chicago, IL 60637

Click Here To Register

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