Zen Open Circle was established by our founding teacher Susan Murphy Roshi in 1999.  We began sitting at the Buddhist Library and Meditation Centre, Newtown in 2000.  In 2007 we moved to our present home at The Dickson Street Space, 35-39 Dickson Street, Newtown.

In 2005 we became an incorporated Association.  Our elected Council of members meets monthly to look after administrative matters, and alternates formal business meetings with more informal discussion of issues.  Our meetings are open to all members of Zen Open Circle, and meeting times are posted on our Calendar.

Since 2006, apprentice teacher Mari Rhydwen has assisted the teaching at sesshin and on Friday evenings, at the invitation of our teacher, and with the support of the Zen Open Circle Council.

Our style of Zen has close ties with and draws on ritual forms, koan curricula and translations established in the Diamond Sangha, in the tradition of Robert Aitken, and our teachers participate in the Diamond Sangha Teachers’ Circle.  We also share close connection with Pacific Zen Institute through John Tarrant, as well as with Diamond Sangha groups throughout Australia and New Zealand and the US and Europe.

Zen Open Circle is a warm and welcoming place to practice where close social ties and friendships form between people.  Our annual film festival and other fundraising and social activities draw wide community interest.  There's also strong interest in the arts, social justice and social action, and indigenous and environmental issues among our members.