Residential Practice

Our vibrant temple is home to more than 30 residential practitioners across our 3 buildings on Auburn Street. Our residents practice together every day of the year. We cook and eat healthy vegetarian food, maintain the beautiful Zen center facility, and offer a warm welcome to visitors and guests. Many residents work in the Boston area and maintain engaged relationships with the larger community.

Opportunities

  • We offer guest stays for up to two weeks. Stays longer than one week requires a brief interview over the phone with the Abbot. We accept guests interested in Zen community life. Guests are required to participate in morning daily meditation practice and are welcome to participate in the daily life of the Zen Center, as they wish.

    Accommodations include vegetarian meals and shared bathrooms. As a guest, you will have a private room. Meals include communal dinner (5:30 PM) Monday through Friday. Other meals are self-service. Meat, alcohol, drugs, and weapons are not permitted in the Zen center.

    We offer work-exchange opportunities on a case-by-case basis. Please write to abbot@cambridgezen.org to learn more.

  • Short-term residency applies to stays from two weeks to three months.

    Residents participate in morning practice a minimum of 6 days a week as well as attending and helping to run our evening programming. Residents of the main house share communal meals and house responsibilities. The residential community is a tight-knit group of serious practitioners. We have a lot of fun!

  • Long term residency applies to stays of three months and longer.

    Residents participate in morning practice a minimum of 6 days a week as well as attending and helping to run our evening programming. Residents of the main house share communal meals and house responsibilities. The residential community is a tight-knit group of serious practitioners. We have a lot of fun! Several of our long-term residents have been here for decades.

    In addition to main house rooms we have several apartments on the same street that can be a better fit for couples or families.

Line drawing of a mandala with a central yin-yang symbol surrounded by intricate petal and geometric patterns.

If a snake drinks water, the water becomes venom. If a cow drinks water, the water becomes milk. If you cling to ignorance, you create life and death. If you keep clear, you become Buddha.

- Zen Master Seung Sahn, from Temple Rule #7

  • Reserve A Guest Stay

    Fill out inquiry form and our Guestmaster will contact you to confirm a stay.

    Fill out an Application

  • Short-term Residency

    Review residency requirements and submit an inquiry to the abbot. Note short-term requirements can be more flexible.

    Inquire about Residency

  • Long-term Residency

    Review long-term residency requirements and submit an inquiry to the abbot.

    Inquire about Residency

Living at CZC…

  • Snow shoveling practice

    Snow shoveling practice - Winter 2026

  • Dumpling party - Lunar New Year 2025

  • Getting our beautiful backyard ready for spring

  • One of our regular open mic nights

  • The Bodhisattva Productivity Lounge (BPL)

  • Gathering for Saturday morning work period

  • Pride of the Pantrymaster