Calendar

Retreat Night (ONLINE)

On Retreat Night we offer an opportunity to settle into your meditation practice with three 25-minute periods of zazen, interspersed with walking meditation (called kinhin). Turning the light inward we explore the causes of suffering and what can end it. This invitation is extended to everyone. Our Monday night programs begin with zazen (sitting meditation) followed […]

Practice Circle: “Reflecting on the Year Past, and the Year to Come”

This evening's practice circle will be led by our head of practice, So-On Jim Hare. The Three Treasures are the foundation of the Practice Circle: (1) the Oneness of Buddha, (2) the Diversity of Dharma, (3) the Harmony of Sangha. The circle itself is a container for being in the present, manifesting just as we are in […]

Practicing Kind Speech: a One-day Sitting

"Kind speech" means that when you see sentient beings you arouse the mind of compassion and offer words of loving care. - Eihei Dogen With a morning Dharma talk and afternoon discussion, we will explore the Bodhisattva's practice of kind and compassionate speech. Our speaking will be bracketed by periods of sitting meditation. A detailed […]

Recurring

Introduction to Zen Meditation – ONLINE

On the second Monday of each month, we offer a 40-minute introduction to Zen practice.  For now, we are offering the instruction online, using using Zoom video conferencing software. We focus on the art of sitting meditation, with emphasis on posture, breath and mental focus. This is for new meditators and those wishing to refresh […]

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey (via Zoom)

Rev. Myo Lahey, Abbot of Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco and our guiding teacher, will offer the Dharma talk this evening. Myo has previously served as head of practice (Tanto) at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. He is a Dharma heir of Tenshin Reb Anderson. Raised in an observant Roman Catholic home, Myo was […]

Program Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.  Whatever affects one directly, affects all Indirectly.”  ~Martin Luther King, Jr. Facilitated by Paravrtti Doralee Grindler Katonah, our program will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King with a presentation by […]

Dharma Talk by So-On Jim Hare

So-On Jim Hare  serves as Tanto, or head of practice. He lived in the San Francisco Zen Center community from 1980 to 1984, and was lay ordained by Tenshin Reb Anderson in 1985. He served as Head Student at Green Gulch Farm during the spring 2002 practice period. He was priest ordained by Myo Lahey […]

Dharma Talk by Sessei Meg Levie

Guest teacher, Sessei Meg Levie, MA, has been practicing Soto Zen for almost 30 years and has lived in residence at all three centers of the San Francisco Zen Center. She received ordination as a Zen priest in 2003 from Tenshin Reb Anderson and held the position of Shuso (Head Student) in 2007. As a professional […]

Sitting Where the Clouds Pile Up: Half-day Sitting

This half-day sitting will be led by tanto, So-On Jim Hare. There is no fee for this sitting, but you do need to register on Eventbrite.com.  The link and a detailed schedule will be sent to those who register.  There will be an optional early morning sitting beginning at 6 a.m. for those who wish for […]

Dharma Talk by Shoku Kathy Early

Guest teacher Shōku Kathy Early came to zen practice in 1994 through classes with Tenshin Reb Anderson at the Yoga Room in Berkeley. She then practiced for several years with Keido Les Kaye at Kannon Do Zen Center in Mountain View, after which she trained at San Francisco Zen Center for 16 years. She was priest […]

Dharma Talk by So-On Jim Hare

So-On Jim Hare  serves as Tanto, or head of practice. He lived in the San Francisco Zen Center community from 1980 to 1984, and was lay ordained by Tenshin Reb Anderson in 1985. He served as Head Student at Green Gulch Farm during the spring 2002 practice period. He was priest ordained by Myo Lahey […]

Dharma Talk by Rev. Taiga Ito

Our guest, Rev. Taiga Ito, trained at Daihonzan Sojiji, one of the head monasteries of Soto Shu (Soto Zen in Japan). In 2016, Taiga Ito became Kokusaifukyoshi (international teacher of Soto Shu). He served as secretary of the Soto Zen Buddhism International Center between 2016 and 2018, and has served as its Assistant Director since […]