Rochester Zen Center — Attraction in City of Rochester

I have been a lay student here for 10 years. The Rochester Zen Center is highly esteemed and has an international reputation. Founded by Philip Kapleau, author of The Three Pillars of Zen, the Rochester Zen Center offers formal zazen every day of the week, once or twice a day. The center and zendo are clean and well maintained.

I would recommend that interested practitioners attend a workshop before attending a sitting and, if possible, read the Three Pillars of Zen to develop some familiarity with the nature and tradition of the practice.

The teacher, Bodhin Kjolhede, is a very skilled speaker, excellent motivator and dedicated practitioner. He has deftly adapted the traditions of our lineage to Western Society. I feel most grateful to have the Rochester Zen Center in...

Having been a member of the Rochester Zen Center for over 20 years, I have the experience for an informed review -- and I give it my highest accolade. The teachings I've absorbed, the retreats I've attended, and the continuing daily zazen have made a huge positive difference in my life. Zen is not the only path to spiritual awakening, but it's a path that has been working for some serious practitioners for over 1000 years. There's no way to tell in advance whether it will work well for you, so, if you are unsure, step one is to attend one of the Saturday workshops, which will help determine whether or not it's a good fit for you. I've recommended that step to may people over the years and I've never had anyone ever tell me they didn't find it a...

Extremely dissapointed, VERY unwelcoming place.

We went to one of their supposed open beginner session, and were rudely kicked out before even starting. They basically tilted their smug heads sideways and said "oh, you're new here aren't you?" and proceeded to say how they intend to change the schedule on their website and that we should just come and pay $$ for a beginners weekend workshop, then they rushed us out. Both of us had been meditating for a combined 20 years but they didn't even bother to ask they, they ran on assumptions and had a very holier than thou attitude. I'd rather go meditate in the forest, this place seems dogmatic, cold, and...