The Tea Ladies: A Women’s Zen Community

We are a welcoming and alive Zen meditation and study practice community for all women.

We named ourselves The Tea Ladies—for the many unnamed women teachers in stories who sold tea and refreshments on the pilgrimage routes in ancient China. They were known for their witty retorts and challenging questions to monks on the Path. Women in Zen are only now being discovered in the ancient stories and texts.

We meet monthly on Sunday afternoons from 4:30-5:30 pm on Zoom. We study the teachings and koans of ancient and contemporary Women Zen masters, using The Hidden Lamp, Buddha’s Daughters and other texts. Through these, we “meet” the women ancestors face to face for their teachings. Let us know if you have any questions.

We hold an annual Women’s Winter Sesshin (Zen Retreat). Our next one is November 21-23 , 2025 in Germantown, MD.

To join the mailing list for Tea Ladies Sangha , please email Zen Teacher Martine at: Martine@joyfulmindzendo.org

Below are Photos from our November 2023 and December 2024 Sesshin in Germantown, MD