About Boundless Way Zen Northampton

Boundless Way Zen Northampton is a practice group of Boundless Way Zen Temple.  We meet weekly on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 PM.  The schedule for each evening practice period includes a brief chanting service and two 25 minute periods of sitting meditation (zazen) with a short period of walking meditation in between.  The first Wednesday of each month includes a Dharma talk (lecture and discussion) in place of the second period of meditation.  The third Wednesday of the month includes either a Dharma talk or dokusan (private interviews with a teacher).

Newcomers are most welcome to attend this ongoing Zen practice group. If you are interested in joining us, please let us know you are coming through our contact page and or simply arrive at 7:10 PM for a brief orientation and instructions.

We sit in the parlor of the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence - 220 Main Street, Northampton, MA.  Enter the parlor through the side door near the back of the building and go up a half-flight of stairs to the left.  It is important to arrive before 7:30pm to get seated because meditation practice begins promptly at 7:30..

Northampton Practice Leaders

David Shunyo Caruso is Soto Zen priest and Boundless Way Zen Assistant Teacher and has been a student of Zen Buddhism since 1969.  He first trained in the San Francisco Zen Center and Bodhi traditions with Kobun Chino Otogawa, Roshi, before becoming a member of Boundless Way Zen.  His primary teacher is Melissa Myozen Blacker, Roshi of the Boundless Way Temple in Worcester, MA.  David is a developmental psychologist and is retired from a career in higher education. He enjoys hiking, writing, and music and currently sings with a men's a cappella group called The Wise Guys.

Steve Garabedian is a Boundless Way Zen Assistant Teacher and has been engaged in Zen practice for over 20 years.  For the past 10 years he has practiced under the guidance of Boundless Way Temple guiding teacher David Dae An Rynick, Roshi.  He enjoys outdoor activities, classical music, and travel, and has a fascination for animal psychology.

Boundless way Zen Temple Assistant Teachers

Assistant Teachers share in the spiritual leadership of BoWZ as requested by the guiding teachers. Assistant Teachers introduce BoWZ's forms and practices in classes and lectures. They may also informally speak with other members of the community about details of practice. They may also give Dharma talks.  An Assistant Teacher may not give formal practice interviews (dokusan) or establish personal student-teacher relationships (shoken).

Prerequisities:  Are determined by the Guiding Teachers on a case by case basis. But, an Assistant Teacher should have demonstrated maturity in practice, be familiar with BoWZ's forms, be able to lead by example and otherwise have communication skills. As a general rule an Assistant Teacher should have been practicing Zen for at least five years, and must have an understanding of the history and forms of Zen Buddhism.

Boundless Way Zen Temple Senior Assistant Teachers

Senior Assistant Teachers share in the spiritual leadership of the community as requested by the Guiding Teachers.  In addition to the responsibilities of an Assistant Teacher, a Senior Assistant Teacher may be authorized to give practice interviews (dokusan).  A Senior Assistant Teacher may not establish personal student-teacher relationships (shoken). 

Prerequisities:  Are determined by the Guiding Teachers on a case-by-case bais. But, a Senior Assistant Teacher should have demonstrated maturity in practice, be familiar with BoWZ's forms, be able to lead by example and otherwise have communication skills. As a general rule a Senior Assistant Teaacher should have been practicing Zen for ten years, and must have an understanding of the history and forms of Zen Buddhism.