I give this four stars because nothing is perfect, but I truly am a fan. I visited this center as…read moresomeone entirely new to Zen practice, and I felt very connected and peaceful right away. If you are a minority in any way, whether sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, ability status or whatever the case may be, be rest assured you are in a safe place. The simple fact that you are meditating with other people or learning about meditation with other, you will feel connected. I highly recommend Dharma talks on Thursday nights (sometimes Friday, you have to check the schedule). You get to ask whatever question you may have and hear some interesting questions and answers. I love this place and I hope you do too.

From the owner: The Cambridge Zen Center was established in 1973 and is open for morning and evening practice. Only…read morevaccinated students should come in person, otherwise join us on Zoom. We offer daily online and in-person meditation practice, weekly kong-an interviews and talks, monthly retreats, programs and classes, as well as short and long-term residency opportunities. An affiliate of the Kwan Um School of Zen, we welcome you to experience spiritual joy and personal growth by training at one of the oldest and largest residential Zen centers in North America.

Cambridge Zen Center, or CZC as it's commonly known, is a Buddhist temple and residential zen…read morecenter located in a busy urban section of Cambridge, MA. It welcomes any and all to public practice hours every day of the week with the exception of scheduled zen retreats that occur once monthly and last an entire weekend. Free introductory classes in meditation are offered each Thursday night at 6:45-7:15pm week and you can attend this class as many times as you like. Anytime during scheduled public practice you are also welcome to join in. If you are usure of what to do feel free to ask a resident for guidance. Residents at CZC are happy to help you get your bearings and will try to answer questions or direct you to someone else who can assist you. Please be aware that shoes are not worn inside the building and there is a shoe rack where you can leave your shoes. If you choose to come practice please silence your phone before entering the practice hall. Also hats may not be worn the practice hall. All things considered CZC is a unique community of zen practitioners with residents of all ages and backgrounds from around the world. Join us for a vegetarian public dinner on Tuesday nights before practice and get to know us! For further info about scheduling please check the CZC webpage cambridgezen.org

The Cambridge zen center is an amazing place, for many months I woke up at 4:30 am so I could take…read morethe hour long ride from dorchester to sit meditation for 30 minutes. They have weekend retreats that are amazing and not that it should matter, but the food is great. They have meditation morning and night (even noon sometimes), an on Sundays and Tuesdays they occasionally have Kong an (Koan) interviews with one of the Guiding teachers. Thursday is usually a dharma talk by members or residents (it's a residential center too). CZC is part of the Kwan Um zen school which translates to Perceive Sound, so I would highly recommend sitting and perceiving sound there.

A very welcoming and open community exists at the GBZC. Every week newcomer classes are offered…read morethat are very accessible to people of all levels of knowledge of Zen Buddhism. The space is warm and well maintained. Services include liturgy, zazen (seated meditation) walking meditation, and a dharma talk or interviews with a teacher (voluntary with no pressure to have one). Please don't be intimidated and go if you are interested in Zen. It's a great place Parking: small lot adjacent to fitness center is available for visitors. Also lots of Cambridge sticker parking and some meters. Also on bus routes and not terribly far from the T. Easy to navigate once get the hang of it.

I came here for the first time last night and immediately knew I made the right decision. They…read moreprovided an orientation for newcomers that was welcoming and instructive. After 30 or so minutes of learning the basics with some helpful hints and tips we dove right into Tuesday nights meditation. The environment felt inclusive and welcoming. The whole aura of the center was comforting and relaxing. There was no feeling like I didn't belong and they had books at each of the seated areas to help through the chants. I'm not sure about the parking situation but from the central t station it was a quick 10 minute walk. I will definitely be back!

What a peaceful beautiful atmosphere. I felt so welcomed. The parking is street or metered and…read moreit's not too bad . The staff here is welcoming and very helpful. I definitely will be back here .

This is where I learned to meditate and I had a great experience. I think if you are looking for…read morecommunity/sangha or just want to learn about Buddhism or mindfulness practice it's a great place to check out. The heart of recovery meeting is well regarded in the recovery community and the retreats are a really amazing experience.

I've been coming here for over a year, and my life has already transformed for the better. A great…read moreplace to work on becoming a happier, kinder person. The teachings are clear and approachable to everyone (including all beliefs and meditation intentions). The community feel is wonderful, and the people are warm, welcoming and inspiring. Give yourself this gift, you won't regret it.

An Oasis amidst busy life. This is a special place--everyone is welcome, no matter who they are or…read morewhat they believe, and the teachings here are simple, accessible, and easy to understand. The meditations are focused on how to become a better person and how to integrate Buddhist meditation into our life so people can find greater meaning within it. The people are kind. Can't recommend enough!

I really miss Larry Rosenberg. The center has lost its shine since Larry has faded away from…read moreteaching. He was my first teacher in 1980 and I am forever grateful for his teaching. The center now seems to promote special groups "sanghas". I began practicing because of the Buddhist view of non self and non identification to self, so it seems to me an antithesis to Buddhism of integration and inclusion. I also feel that communication from the center is aggressive about raising money. Volunteering is only for friends of Narayan, or so it seems because she has the final say in approving or rejecting a volunteer. In full disclosure, I have been practicing since1980 but moved away from the center to explore Tibetan Buddhism. After attending a day retreat in July I tried to reconnect by responding to a request for volunteers. I was turned down by Narayan with no explanation. That being said I am aware that many lost souls can find solace in the appearance of the projected peace at the center.

CIMC is a wonderful place. The teachers are all brilliant, kind, generous, and understanding. Each…read moreof them offers the teachings of the Buddha in their own way - making them accessible to a wide range of people who come to learn about and practice meditation. Meditation is described as more than sitting on a cushion - it is a way of living life, of listening to ourselves and others, of becoming kinder and more compassionate. The actual building is beautiful, simple, and welcoming. If you haven't been there - try it! It can become your spiritual home, as it has for me.

I preface this by saying I earned a black belt in mind sword back when this all started in the 70's…read moreso I have no NEW information. However when I participated this was a serious but fun school teaching an interesting martial arts form. I didn't live there but studied 10 hours per day 5 days/week and got well acquainted with the founder and all the then students. I doubt things have changed much and bet you would have a positive experience there. Rev.John McCormick