Based in Soto Zen Buddhist traditions, since 1977, the Iowa City Zen Center offers a quiet place to meditate in the company of a community of fellow practitioners.
All are welcome, regardless of experience or connection to other Spiritual traditions.
We have regularly scheduled Meditations, Introductory Classes and special events;
consult our home page for the current schedule.
The core of our practice is Zazen. If you are new to Zazen consider attending our introductory class plus read our page of guidelines for sitting.
COUNCIL PRACTICE CIRCLE
From time to time, the Sangha will hold Council Practice Circles as a way to hear from each other around shared interests & focuses.
If you are interested in learning more, there are a number of useful websites, including https://www.centerforcouncil.org/ https://www.thecircleway.net.
COUNCIL PRACTICE: GENERAL GUIDELINES
Councils use a talking piece; participants try to speak to “what is alive right now”.
- Speak from the Heart — by speaking one-at-a-time to share personal stories and experiences, rather than opinions, participants have a chance to give voice to what is truly alive and authentic.
Speaking from the Heart reveals commonalities through stories of love, loss, hope and fear.
It reaffirms and celebrates our unique and essential journey as a human.
- Listen from the Heart (non-judgmentally) — by fostering attentive and non-judgmental listening, Council builds positive relationships between participants which neutralizes hierarchical dynamics formed by inequality of status, race, or other social factors.
When listening from the heart, without needing to agree or disagree, it’s easy to see how, despite our many differences, we have so much in common.
- Be Lean of Expression — building on equitable practices of allowing for every voice to be heard because every voice matters, we hone our storytelling skills by sharing the most essential information, so everyone in the Council container has time to share.
- Be Spontaneous — when bearing witness in a Council circle, it’s important to give light to whatever is arising in the moment. By practicing speaking spontaneously, we preference attentive listening over rehearsing the script or story that’s in our head. No cross-talk.
Our Guiding Teacher, Reverend Daiken Nelson
Since October 2023, practice at the Zen Center has been guided by Rev. Daiken Nelson Roshi.
Daiken Nelson began Zen Practice 38 years ago at the Iowa City Zen Center.
Since that time, he has practiced with several Teachers within the White Plum Zen Lineage of Taizan Maezumi Roshi & the Zen Peacemaker Order of Roshi Bernie Glassman.
In October 2013, Daiken received Shiho (Dharma Transmission/Authorization to Teach) from Roshi Francisco “Paco” Genkoji Lugoviña, a successor to Roshi Bernie Glassman.
In November 2021, Daiken received Inka from Roshi Paco, the final authorization in one’s Zen training, by which one becomes a Roshi (Japanese: “old/venerable Teacher”; “old/venerable Master”).
Roshi Daiken is also the Founder & Guiding Teacher of the Pamsula Zen Center in W. Harlem, NYC, since 2015.
The Pamsula Zen Center has two affiliates: the Youngstown Zen Center in Youngstown, OH (2022) and the Pamsula Zen Westchester Sitting Group in White Plains, NY (2024).
Prior to focusing on Zen, Daiken was a Social Worker, working with the unhoused plus those with chronic mental illness & substance abuse issues.
Daiken is also Founder of The Mandala Café, a Nonprofit in NYC which provides Culinary Training to those needing job training & placement due to challenges to finding and keeping a job; a Catering business offering part-time employment and training for individuals in those groups plus a Weekly Community Meal in central Harlem for anyone & a monthly meal in Harlem focusing on migrants & refugees.
In addition to Zen, Roshi Daiken is a Reiki Master, Yoga Instructor, Photographer & Artist
Daiken is guiding our Practice by giving bi-monthly Teisho/Dharma Talks via Zoom plus quarterly In-Person visits to Iowa City.
He is also steering the Practice Committee plus participating in ICZC Board meetings.
A video of Daiken’s installation ceremony is available on the Photo Gallery page.
What is Zazenkai?
Zazenkai (座禅会) literally means “to come together for meditation.”
It is a one-day Zen Buddhist retreat that is less intensive than a weekend or week-long retreat.
Periods of sitting (25 minutes) are guided through the use of bells, followed by short periods of kinhin (walking meditation).
Zazenkai also includes opportunities to meet individually with the Guiding Teacher.
You can join and leave a Zazenkai as you wish.
TYPICAL ZAZENKAI SCHEDULE
7:25 am – In Seats – Facing Center
7:30-7:55 Meditation
7:30-7:55 Meditation
7:55-8:00 Kinhin (Walking Meditation)
8:00-8:25 Meditation
8:25 — Verse of the Kesa
8:30-8:55 Breakfast Break (bring your own)
9:00-9:25 Meditation
9:25-9:30 Kinhin
9:30-10:00 Dharma Talk
10:00-10:15 Brief Break
10:20-10:45 Meditation
10:45-10:50 Kinhin
10:50-11:15 Meditation
11:15-11:20 Kinhin
11:20-11:45 Meditation
11:45 — 4 Bodhisattva Vows
11:45 – ≈12:30 Lunch Break – Silent (Clean as we go)
≈12:30 – 12:40 Clean Up/Short Break
12:45 – 1:10 Zazen
1:10 – 1:15 Kinhin
1:15 – 1:40 Zazen
1:40 – 1:45 Kinhin
1:45 – 2:15 Zazen
≈2:15 — 4 Bodhisattva Vows
(or when Roshi returns to Zendo after dokusan)
Iowa City Zen Center 