Youth Programs

Zen Mountain Monastery: Youth Programs
Zen Kids

Zen Kids
Zen Teen/Pre-Teens

Zen Pre-Teens/Teen

Zen Kids Program

zen kids

The Zen Kids’ Sunday Program is a once-a-month, three-hour play practice for children and their parents. Children are exposed to various aspects of Buddhism and Zen training (i.e. liturgy, meditation, etc.,) in a way that is best described as the “back door approach.” Emphasis is on observing and feeling the inner and outer worlds and how they interrelate, rather than on form or discipline, so many of our activities include the teachings of Buddhism, yet do not refer explicitly to them.

The morning revolves loosely around a particular theme. After a short period of caretaking (work practice,) we often venture forth to explore the natural world surrounding the Monastery — its woods, streams, ponds, fields, wetlands, plants and animals — and come back to transform these experiences into some expression of art such as music, poetry, storytelling, crafts, theater or movement. Snacks are followed by playtime in the meadow, and weather permitting, with sledding or swimming in the river. The program ends as we join the community for lunch in the main building.

By participating in the Zen Kids Program, children and parents of the sangha create their own personal relationship to the Monastery, as well as awareness of and respect for our environment. We operate as a parent cooperative, with support from ZMM monastics and residents. For more information, or to pre-register, please email Seiken and Gyokudo at web@dharma.net, or call them at (845) 688-2228.

Zen Teen/Pre-Teen Program

The Zen Teen/Pre-Teen Program includes children who have "graduated" from the Zen Kids and into adolescence. It is therefore specifically geared to those in this critical and tender developmental period.

zen pre-teen building a shelter
In offering basic instruction in meditation, liturgy and Buddhist history we hope to provide support and nourishment that will promote healthy self-exploration, appreciation of the power of problem solving, and community, as well as lay the groundwork for a life fully lived for the benefit of all beings. The tools we use are art projects, basic liturgy, meditation, Buddhist history, and the appreciation of the Monastery's varied wildlife.

Adolescence is a critical and tender period in the life of human beings when their relationship to the world is being forged in the fire of feelings of inadequacy and sexuality, and the models of youth come from the violent world of television and other forms of mass media. In the midst of this turmoil, how does a Bodhisattva navigate the world? Why are the moral and ethical teachings of Zen Buddhism important? Are they useful? If so, how? Working with Monastery staff and one of the Zen teachers, the kids have a chance to explore these and other questions.

Our challenge at Zen Teens is to help the teens feel that Zen practice is truly their own, not just their parents’. Our challenge is to help them explore the very questions they are asking in a way that respects their unique identities and manifests their true nature.  In a world that seems to become more confusing by the minute, with messages from every which way telling them who they should be, we hope to instill in the Zen Teens one message, and one message only. That message is none other than the one so generously and insistently offered by our teacher, Daido Roshi: Trust yourself. May the Zen Teens realize this deep trust.

If you are interested in this program please contact Kyusan and Tenkei at zenteens@mro.org or call them at (845) 688-7993. Please note that parents do not participate in this program (instead, they can join the regular Sunday service at the Monastery.)

Calendar

2009 Programs
January 18
February 15
March 15 (Buddha's Birthday Celebration)
April 12
May 17
June 14

July 5
August 9
September 13
October 11
November 15
December 19 (for teens ) and December 20 (for kids)

Schedule

Sundays 8:45 am-12 pm followed by community lunch.

Parents are responsible for dressing kids appropriately, not only for weather but also for insect and sun protection in the warmer months. Children should bring an extra set of dry clothes, a drinking cup, and a snack to be shared by the group. We suggest that participating families donate $5 annually per child for supplies (hand lenses, paper, paints and brushes etc.)