Our Groups
Temple Members self-organize with the guidance of our Teachers to form Affiliate Sitting Groups, Affinity Groups, Support Groups, and Sangha Stewardship Groups.
To propose a new Affinity or Support group, fill out this form. Contact our Sangha Administrator if you are interested in forming a new volunteer group.
Affinity and Support Groups
In order to foster members’ personal and religious growth and in order to encourage lasting friendships, mutual support, and working together toward common goals, the Buddhist Temple of Toledo sponsors “Affinity/Support Groups”. An Affinity/Support Group is a member-lead group organized around a shared interest or activity. Affinity/Support Groups are open to any temple member who finds an affinity with the group.
If you are interested in any of these groups and not sure how to contact the organizer, please email info@buddhisttempleoftoledo.org to make a connection!
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We are an all inclusive gaming group for board games, silly games, role-playing games and more! We host a monthly in-person game night on the Last Friday of each month at 6:30PM - Game Night
Connect with us on Facebook for more information.
Organizers: Shogen, Kaishin, Setsho
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Expressing the dharma and engaging in Zen practice through the process of writing haiku. The group primarily organizes through its private Facebook Group holds a weekly haiku challenge with a traditional kigo.
Organizers: Zenzan, Frank, Kyoan
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The Temple also hosts an unaffiliated but aligned weekly Meditation, Recovery, & Support Group.
Monday 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Hybrid In-person and Zoom format
Text 567343131nine for the zoom link
This weekly Monday meeting is open to people with in recovery, dealing with major life changes, healing illness, relationships or in need of support. Honoring the traditions of anonymity in similar groups and to protect the privacy of our members, we use only our first names at this meeting. With respect for the worth and dignity of each person, all are welcome here. We respect all forms of meditation, however during the meditation period, we ask that everyone be quiet and still out of respect for the practice. The purpose of this meeting is to strengthen our meditation practice by communal effort and thereby strengthen our recovery or support communities. Our meeting includes time for prayer or intention setting, meditation and discussion. Our discussion period offers us a chance to share openly about our experiences with meditation and recovery/support, or just “get current”. For those new to meditation, beginning instruction will be offered.
Email questions to Setsho at setshobtt@gmail.com.
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Support the multifaith efforts of the Temple and make connections with other communities of faith.
Organizers: Bujo, Shokai, Nyojo
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The purpose of this affinity group is to encourage community, connection and personal reflection, through reading and discussing various Buddhist books. The group meets twice a month (2nd and 4th Monday) from 7:00 to 8:30pm on Zoom. We will live read a portion of a book of Zen Buddhist relevance each meeting and have conversation about what we encounter. You don’t need to read the book ahead, although you are certainly welcome to do so. Our book selections will be based on recommendations from the teachers.
If you’d like to join this group, you can email us at bookclub.buddhisttempleoftoledo@gmail.com.
You can also reach out to Shizo, Juten or Sangen in our members group on facebook.
Organizers: Shizō, Jūten, Sangen
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A support group for the parents and caregivers of teens. We meet monthly with each group leader acting as a revolving facilitator. We open with setting intentions and a brief check-in, followed by the introduction of the topic for that meeting, then have a loosely structured discussion period, a brief sitting period, follow-up discussion, dedication of merit and set intentions for the coming month.
Organizers: Sūjū, Sōkō, Kensei
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Provide a platform for mutual support of sangha members going through a significant relationship transition (like divorce, etc). These foundational questions will drive the focal point of meetings:
How do the teachings of Buddhism/zen inform the topic?
What are people’s practical experience with bringing their practice to the situation? Or, in hindsight, how they wished they had.
Intention will be to avoid discussing legal topics, causes, or placing blame. Intention is on moving forward from today.
Organizers: E'ka, Zenkan, Zenzan
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Dharma School is the Temple's official program for our youngest bodhisattvas! Dharma School meets on some Sundays and provides Buddhist grounded activities and lessons for children ages 4-12.
Children ages 2-3 are welcome to participate as much as they are able and we will have a dedicated assistant present. Children under 2 are welcome to participate with a parent or caregiver. A parent or guardian must be available to perform diaper changes for any children who wear diapers.Contact the organizers to get involved as a teacher, assistant, or student: dharmaschool.btt@gmail.com
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Organizers: Kensei
Contact: kenseibtt@gmail.com
The Sentient Beans is a volunteer group of folks who engage in kitchen and hospitality practice, with the intention of facilitating sangha fellowship. We prepare delicious meals for weekly Sunday services, organize monthly community potlucks, assist Do’on Sensei in food preparation for sesshin, and brew the amazing temple coffee. We also have a lot of fun doing it! We would love for you to join us! Please contact us for more information or to get involved. -
Volunteer Group Leader: E’ka and Fuzen
Teen Dharma is for those attending Junior High, High School, or Early College. We will meet monthly to discuss a Dharma topic and how it applies to every day life. There will also be fun social activities along with yearly community/charity projects. This is a group for young adults to experience the Dharma in a more informal setting that allows them a safe place to ask questions and grow in their practice.
See Temple Calendar for dates. -
Organizers: Kensei
Contact: kenseibtt@gmail.com
The Temple Tenders is a volunteer group of dedicated sangha members engaging in the practice of temple stewardship. Our intention is to keep the temple space clean, beautiful, conducive to practice, and welcoming to all. There are opportunities for individual stewardship practices such as recycling and composting, kitchen cleaning, and restoring the zendo, as well as group temple tending events to restore the temple spaces. We enjoy samu with friendship and fellowship, and you are most welcome to join us! Please contact us to get involved or for more information.
Sangha Stewardship Groups
Volunteers make keeping the Temple running a part of their Dharma practice. Some stewardship groups are self-organized and some are managed by Temple Leadership.
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Affiliate Group Leader: Eric Zenzan Vessels
Group contact: eric.vessels@gmail.com
Delaware Zen is a sitting group affiliated with the Buddhist Temple of Toledo that provides an opportunity for those interested in experiencing authentic Zen practice to receive beginning instruction in zazen and to sit in community.
Regular zazen is offered on Monday evenings from 7pm-8pm. A brief practical introduction to Zen Meditation for beginners is offered at 6:30pm. A typical meeting:
20 minute zazen period
Social sharing
Reading & discussion or podcast listening & discussion
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Affiliate Group Leader: Jay Rinsen Weik Roshi
Group contact: utoledozbsa@gmail.com
The Zen Buddhist Student Association is a registered student organization at The University of Toledo. The group provides fellowship and community among college students interested in Zen Buddhism, and teaches members about the practices of the Buddhist Temple of Toledo. The group is led by an elected council of student leaders and all college students are welcome as voting members. The group also welcomes participation from university faculty, graduated students, pre-college students, and non-student peers. Jay Rinsen Weik Roshi serves as UT faculty advisor for the group.
During the UToledo Fall and Spring semesters, members meet (via Zoom during the pandemic) on Fridays at noon to sit, check in, and read liturgy together. Rinsen responds to questions from members and leads the group in discussion.
Affiliated Sitting Groups
In order to provide more opportunities for Dharma practice for specific communities, our Guiding Teachers authorize experienced students to lead affiliated practice groups. Affiliate practice groups typically meet away from the Temple and are open to all people from population the group serves. Affiliated group meetings usually offer a brief beginner’s class in meditation along with opportunities for group zazen, chanting, and socializing. Some affiliated practice groups may offer additional activities with permission and guidance from Guiding Teachers.
If you are a member who is interested in starting an Affiliated Practice Group, connect with our Guiding Teachers.
