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Our Group

The Glasgow Zen Group was established in 1990 within the auspices of the International Zen Association, and has operated as an independent fellowship of practitioners since 2000, practicing within the broad Soto Zen tradition.

Based in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, we meet regularly for Zazen sitting meditation in Glasgow and online. We are delighted that practitioners anywhere can participate and enrich our sangha. See a list of our daily sitting in the schedule below. Please contact us and we will be in touch with how you can take part.

What’s on at GZG

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Soto Zen in Glasgow, Scotland, UK and online. Please see our website for further information and teachings, and to sign up to our monthly newsletter

When Dо̄gen Zenji discusses ‘benefitting ourse

思無邪 Omoi yokoshima nashi Untethered thought

on the long month’s crimson leaves snow falls –

As we shift more deeply into autumn we can notice,

John's Kusen teaching: 342. The Magician The Bodh

In what ways do Zen practice and meditation engage

How can we understand the bodhisattva vows in a wa

In Zen history we meet many ‘heroic’ figures w

John's Kusen teaching: 396. A Stick of Incense Th

There are many Zen teachings guiding people into t

After the sitting and Okyō this week we will expl

After this Tuesday sitting, we will have some time

Shinji Shobogenzo Book 2 Case 91: One day Master

Making the effort to express the inexpressible sou

Sometimes in practice we can be swayed by self dou

As we reach the end of our summer breaks and start

Master Dogen said that Zazen was a continuous proc

A friendly reminder that our Tuesday evening Zazen

John's Kusen teaching: 341. Shikantaza The primar

In Sōtō Zen sitting, do we bring intention to pr

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John’s teachings

Introduction to Zen videos

Please watch the first of three videos introducing the origins, practice and ritual of Soto Zen.

Introduction to Zen Part 1 – The Origins of Zen.

view More videos

Kusen teachings

Our principal teacher John Fraser gives regular teachings. His short kusen 口宣 teachings are spoken by John towards the end of a zazen sitting, and elsewhere. The Kusens here have been edited and expanded for clarity. The unedited versions are on our YouTube channel ‘Glasgow Zen Group‘. Please have a browse through and enjoy.

Teachings by topic

All kusen

Glasgow Zen Group CIC is a not for profit organisation and is registered as a Community Interest Company in the United Kingdom. As a Zen Buddhist organisation our aims include supporting a community of Zazen meditators and Zen practitioners more widely, in Scotland and further afield. Donating to the Glasgow Zen Group helps us run our daily meditation meetings, talks and events, both in person and online, covering such essential outgoings as room hire costs, equipment costs and digital and web maintenance. We would not be able to run our groups and events without the generous regular support of our sangha members and wider supporters. Please consider supporting us as financially comfortable for you, using the PayPal button below.