Edward Espe Brown found his way to Zen practice in 1965 and dove in whole-heartedly. He was the first head cook, or tenzo, at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. He was priest ordained by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi in 1971 who gave him the dharma name Jusan Kainei (Longevity Mountain, Peaceful Sea).

Rev. Brown helped found Greens Restaurant in San Francisco and has written several cookbooks including The Complete Tassajara Cookbook, and Tomato Blessings and Radish Teachings. He edited Not Always So, a collection of Suzuki Roshi’s lectures.  In 2018 he published No Recipe: Cooking as a Spiritual Practice, a book about finding our own way in the kitchen – and in life. One of Rev. Brown’s students, Danny Parker, compiled 30 years of  his dharma teachings in The Most Important Point, published in 2019.

The Monday night programs begin with zazen (sitting meditation) followed by a devotional service and dharma talk, group discussion, practice circle or retreat night. There are no membership requirements to participate. Donations support the room rental, visits by teachers, and other sangha activities. Valley Streams Zen Sangha is dedicated to the study of Buddha’s teaching and the practice of meditation.  Newcomers and experienced Zen students alike are invited to join us.

Click for zoom link for this program.