Zen temple in lower Manhattan offering daily meditation, dharma study, and engaged practice since 1986.
In 1986, Roshi Pat Enkyo O'Hara and Roshi Barbara Joshin O'Hara established the Village Zendo in the heart of lower Manhattan, creating a sanctuary for Zen practice in one of the world's busiest cities. The zendo received its Japanese name, Dotoku-ji (True Expression Temple), and operates within the White Plum lineage of Roshi Taizan Maezumi through Bernie Glassman—a lineage that draws from both Soto and Rinzai traditions. Enkyo Roshi trained many Dharma successors who continue to lead the teaching staff; the current abbot is Roshi Sinclair Shinryu Thomson. Located at 260 West Broadway in lower Manhattan, the zendo serves as a practice center for a community known for its stability, diversity, and engagement with the world beyond the meditation cushion. The sangha draws from a core of longtime dedicated practitioners and welcomes people of different cultures, colors, abilities, ages, identifications, and beliefs. Participation is open to all, with no requirement for formal membership. Practice at the Village Zendo centers on zazen (sitting meditation), one-on-one instruction with teachers, dharma talks, chanting services, and retreats. The community articulates its approach through what it calls "The Five Expressions"—five indispensable areas of practice: to meditate, to study, to communicate, to act, and to care. This framework reflects the zendo's commitment to making Zen relevant to contemporary life, weaving together traditional Buddhist study with writing, social action, health and well-being, and artistic expression. The Village Zendo has long participated in political and social action as a sangha. Since its founding, members have marched against war, advocated for LGBTQ rights, and led AIDS activism. More recently, the community has organized around peace, climate change, racism, women's rights, and criminal justice. Specific action initiatives include the Dharma Song Zen Temple, a sangha at Sing Sing Correctional Facility that has operated since 2005; the Lifelines to Solitary correspondence group, begun in 2015 in collaboration with Solitary Watch; the People of Color Sitting Group, established in 2017 to create sanctuary and discuss practice within systems of oppression; and a refugee sponsorship project launched in 2022 in partnership with HIAS. The zendo offers daily practice both in person and online, with morning and evening zazen sessions throughout the week, dharma talks, and specialized programs including introductory classes, study groups, and intensive retreats. Winter and summer intensive practice periods, known as Ango, provide opportunities for deepened engagement. The community maintains a strong lay practice tradition, emphasizing humility and simplicity, and recognizes that the majority of advanced practitioners are not ordained. All are invited to participate at whatever level of commitment they choose.
Traditions: Soto Zen, Rinzai Zen, White Plum lineage, Zen Buddhism
Programs: Zazen (sitting meditation), Dharma talks and Buddhist services, Private teacher interviews, Learn to Meditate (online and in-person), Body, Breath, and Mind: Introduction to Zen, Zazenkai (one-day retreats), Winter and Summer Ango (intensive practice periods), Urban Sesshin