Join us
Thousand Harbours Zen meets online daily via Zoom. Anyone is welcome to join us anytime—just click the button below and enter the passcode "vow" to participate in any of our offerings.
Morning zazen
Every morning 6:30–7am Atlantic Time, we sit in zazen and recite the Bodhisattva vows together before moving into the day.
Beings are countless; I vow to free them all.
Delusions are inexhaustible; I vow to put an end to them.
Dharma gates are infinite; I vow to enter them.
The awakened way is unsurpassable; I vow to embody it.
We also offer zazen 9:30-10am Monday–Friday.
Tuesday evenings
We meet online every Tuesday from 6:45–8:15pm Atlantic (5:45 Eastern; 2:45 Pacific).
1st and 3rd Tuesday: zazen, vows, discussion
2nd Tuesday: zazen, community discussion
4th Tuesday: zazen, extended ceremony, zazen (Chant Book for Extended Ceremony)
When a month has five Tuesdays, we'll let you know what we have planned for that last week.
In-person sitting
On most Tuesdays, we also welcome people to sit with us at our temple on Purcells Cove Road in Halifax. It's a small space designed for hybrid gatherings, so we ask that you register for the evenings you plan to attend.
For more information, and to register, visit our sign-up page.
One-day retreats
We periodically host one-day retreats, in person in Halifax and on Zoom:
- one-day retreat: Saturday, December 9 — 9 am to 4:30 pm
For more information, and to register, visit our sign-up page.
One-Day Retreat Schedule and Chants for Online Participants
Study group: Keizan's Zazen Yojinki
Starting September 3, Koun is hosting a study group on the first Sunday of each month, at 6:30 pm Atlantic Time (5:30 Eastern) on Zoom. We're reading through Keizan's Zazen Yojinki (Notes on Things to Be Aware of in Zazen) together and discussing the text as we go.
You can join the group at any time and you don't have to register, but we encourage you to in case we need to get in touch.
There is no charge for any of our activities, though we are always grateful for donations. Newcomers and longtime practitioners of all traditions welcome.
Soto Zen emphasizes commitment to the action of the present moment, the vow to work on behalf of others, and expression of truth in all one's words and gestures.
The central practice of Zen is zazen—formless, goalless meditation. The best way to learn is through direct instruction; if you want advice on posture, breathing, or attention, feel free to contact Koun or to ask questions during a Thursday night gathering.