Weekly Services
Sunday Morning Session Details
Sunday Morning Service, 8:30–10:00am
Services are currently held in person and on Zoom
Sunday services are held at the Work.Shop space at 160 Winston Drive in Athens, GA. For sangha members joining remotely, the Zoom link is provided in the weekly service email.
Our services start promptly at the scheduled time.
8:25-8:30 Arrival, settling in
8:30–8:35 Heart Sutra chant
8:35–8:55 Zazen (sitting meditation)
8:55–9:00 Kinhin (walking meditation)
9:00–9:25 Zazen
9:25–9:30 Kinhin
9:30–9:55 Zazen
9:55–10:00 Four Vows chant
Dharma Talk & Discussion, 10:00–10:50am
The sangha (group of practitioners) is one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism, along with the Buddha (the founder of the practice) and the Dharma (the body of teachings). By sharing our experiences on the path with like-minded practitioners, we strengthen our own practice while sustaining and enriching the sangha.
Each dharma talk is led by a member of the sangha, who will typically read from a source teaching — which may be ancient, modern, or in-between — or initiate a thought exercise, then pause for discussion. Other members of the sangha are free to “bow in” and add to the discussion at will, or remain silent if they wish.
Tea is served at the start of the talk, which ends five to ten minutes before 11:00 to give us time to put things away and prepare the space for other groups. Members and guests are invited to assist with tea preparation or cleanup whenever they care to.
Newcomers’ Training Session
11:00am–11:45am, 2nd Sundays
Our newcomers session is designed to give first-time attendees and novice meditators an introduction to the Athens Zen Group as well as instructions for zazen.
Anyone is welcome to attend this session and we ask that all newcomers attend one prior to coming to their first service. These trainings are offered on the 2nd Sunday of each month. Contact us if you’d like to attend.
First Sundays Coffee
11:15 AM, 1st Sundays
On the first Sunday of each month, the sangha enjoys coffee and tea and such after service near the zendo, typically at Buvez or Hendershots depending on weather and numbers.
Recommended Donations
An integral aspect of Buddhist meditation practice is offering dana, a contribution that comes from the heart. All donations made to the Athens Zen Group help pay for our expenses. Inability to contribute financially, however, should never prevent one from participating.
A suggested donation of $5–$10 may be deposited in the donation box at in-person services. Online participants may contribute by PayPal to zengroupathens@gmail.com.
