Valley Streams Zen Sangha now offers most of its programs both in person at the Sacramento Dharma Center and online via Zoom.
NEW COVID-19 Advisory: The Sacramento County Public Health Department has issued a health order requiring masking indoors regardless of vaccination status of all people in all indoor public settings and gatherings. Valley Streams Sangha abides by these guidelines and now requires everyone to wear a mask during our in person gatherings. We strongly encourage everyone to be vaccinated for COVID-19. We will continue to offer the Zoom option for people who live far from the zendo, or who choose not to attend in person for any reason.
Please sign up for our Weekly Emails to receive current information about our programs→ Right side of this page →
~ Upcoming Events ~
• Monday Evenings (in person & online)
Every Monday, 7 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
*Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977
July 26 – Dharma Talk by Rev. Dojin Sarah Emerson
August 2 – Dharma Talk by Paravrtti Doralee Grindler Katonah
August 9 – Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey
August 16 – Dharma Talk by So-On Jim Hare
August 23 – Way-Seeking Mind Talk by Dell Richards
August 30 – Practice Circle led by Paravrtti Doralee Grindler Katonah
• Retreats (in person) Retreats are held on the first Saturday of the month.
August 7 – Half-day Sitting, led by So-On Jim Hare. Register on Eventbrite.com
• Introduction to Zen Meditation (in person)
Second Monday each month Next class: August 9, 6 p.m. – 6:40 p.m.
• Thursday Morning Zazen & Service (in person & online)
Every Thursday, 6 a.m. – 7:20 a.m. For Zoom Meeting ID and more information, contact Rollin Ives at twl4148@gmail.com
• Zen Study Group (in person & online)
Every Thursday, 7:50 a.m. – 9 a.m. Ongoing online meeting of the Valley Streams Zen study group. To join this group, contact Rollin Ives at twl4148@gmail.com
• Book Club (online)
Fourth Thursday each month, 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. To join this group, contact: Doralee Grindler Katonah at grindkaton@icloud.com or Linda Dekker at zendekker@gmail.com (No meeting in July.)
To join via computer, download the free Zoom Client for Meetings
- Sign up for Weekly Emails to receive current information about our programs.
- To join by telephone, call 1 669 900 6833 and follow the prompts for entering the meeting ID number.
- Download SFZC Chants in PDF.
Valley Streams Zen Sangha is dedicated to the study of Buddha’s teaching and the practice of meditation. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.
Our sangha is maintained by a community of people who have traveled many different paths. We come together to support each other in practicing Buddha’s way.
The highest value of Buddhist practice is to shine the light of awareness on habits of mind that perpetuate prejudice and discrimination so all may wake up together. This includes learning how we are conditioned to separate ourselves by race, gender, age, ability, sexual orientation and other forms of cultural identity.
Valley Streams Zen Sangha is affiliated with the Branching Streams network of the San Francisco Zen Center. Our forms and practice are inspired by the teachings of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi.
Our Monday night programs always begin with (sitting meditation). Additional offerings include a devotional service, dharma talks by visiting teachers, group discussions, practice circles and retreat nights. There are no membership requirements to participate. We invite donations to support the room rental, visits by teachers, and other sangha activities.
“The sound of the valley streams enters the ears. Lamplight pierces the eyes. Beyond this, not a single moment of thought.” –Eihei Dogen