Morning Zazen
2017-03-02 06:00 - 07:30, 2017-03-09 06:00 - 07:30, 2017-03-16 06:00 - 07:30, 2017-03-23 06:00 - 07:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Everyone is welcome to come at 6:00 or 6:40 for morning meditation.
6:00 Zazen6:30 Kinin (walking meditation)6:40 Zazen7:10 Service7:20 Informal Tea

One-day Sitting
2017-03-04 09:00 - 17:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
We sometimes call zazen “choiceless awareness.” This means that in zazen we don’t attempt to regulate what comes into awareness; we just let what arises arise. We let our feelings be our feelings and our thoughts be our thoughts. Not making any choices about what comes into awareness, we also don’t manipulate our breath, we don’t exercise our will. We let nature take over, and we let the body breathe.
This will be a day devoted to choiceless awareness, while sitting, walking, chanting and eating lunch. There will be an afternoon Dharma talk by Valley Streams practice leader So On Jim Hare; otherwise our day will be in silence. You are most welcome and invited to join in. Please bring a bag lunch. Register here.

(Recorded) Dharma Talk by Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel
2017-03-06 19:00 - 20:45 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Since Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel is not able to be with us, we will listen to a recorded dharma talk by her. As an author and ordained Soto Zen Buddhist priest, she combines Zen meditation, intuitive knowing, and indigenous wisdom in a path of liberation. Download the first chapters of her book: The Way of Tenderness. (6 MB)

Introduction to Zen Meditation
2017-03-13 18:00 - 18:40 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
For those who are new to Zen meditation, we offer this 40-minute introduction on the second Monday every month.

Practice Talk by Linda Dekker
2017-03-13 19:00 - 20:45 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
KyoJi Linda Dekker serves as Ino, or head of the meditation hall. She served on the first Valley Streams Board of Directors. Linda was lay ordained by Tenshin Reb Anderson in 2001 and lived at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center 2003 – 2004. She is currently on the board of the Sacramento Dharma Center and is its Office Manager.

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey
2017-03-20 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
We welcome our guiding teacher from Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco.

VSZS Board Meeting
2017-03-22 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
If you would like to attend the meeting, please email info@valleystreamszen.org

Panel Discussion
2017-03-27 19:00 - 20:45 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
On our winter theme: What we have learned about how we are conditioned to separate ourselves.

Morning Zazen
2017-03-30 06:00 - 07:30 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Every Thursday we offer two early morning sittings (6-6:30 & 6:40-7:10) followed by a brief service (7:10-7:20). Following service, you are invited to share a cup of tea or coffee before continuing with the rest of your day. Early morning zazen is the practice of Zen students everywhere. Before engaging in life’s busy activity, we relax and wake up on the cushion. Come for all or part of the schedule.
6:00 Zazen
6:30 Kinhin (walking meditation)
6:40 Zazen
7:10 Service
7:20 Tea, Coffee & Conversation

Dharma Talk by So On Jim Hare
2017-04-03 19:00 - 20:45 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States

Buddha's Birthday Sitting and Ceremony
2017-04-10 19:00 - 20:45 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States

Introduction to Zen Meditation
2017-04-10 18:00 - 18:40 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
For those who are new to Zen meditation, we offer this 40-minute introduction to our forms of practice on the second Monday every month.

Dharma Talk by Rev. Edward Espe Brown
2017-04-17 19:00 - 20:45 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Edward Espe Brown is a Soto Zen Buddhist teacher as well as a chef, photographer and author of several books. He was ordained in 1971 by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, who gave him the Dharma name Jusan Kainei , “Longevity Mountain, Peaceful Sea.” He leads sitting groups and meditation retreats in Northern California and internationally.

Practice Talk by Oscar Balaguer
2017-04-24 19:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Oscar was lay ordained by Tenshin Reb Anderson.

PEOPLE'S CLIMATE MARCH SACRAMENTO
2017-04-29 10:30 - 14:00 | CA
On the 100th day of this administration, marches across the world will take place to send a unified and urgent message: Our communities demand responsible climate action for our families, our workers and our planet.
This interfaith march will surround the State Capitol Building. We’ll rally together as we learn about existing climate solutions and local actions that we can all do to stabilize climate change. There will be lively music, interactive workshops, inspiring speakers and more! Sacramento Dharma Center’s Climate Sangha will be meeting and marching together as a group.

Meet: West corner of Rose Garden in Capitol Park, near Vietnam War Memorial
Schedule: 10:30 Meet; sit together
11:00 Rally at East steps of the Capitol; speeches and music
1:30 March to circle the Capitol
2:00 Ending pledge; short closing sit for those who want.
Bathrooms: Inside the Capitol, and small building at 13th Street
Bring: (Suggested items): Water, snack, sun hat, a small ground cloth, something to sit on. Signs or other expressions are welcome; sign handles should technically not be longer than 18”
Sitting: Pre-rally sit, location TBD. The Aloka Vihara Nuns will meet with us; look for their red brown robes. During the rally, the nuns will support the assembly by sitting nearby in peaceful meditation. SDC members are invited to join them whenever, and for as long as, they like. There will also be a short post-March sit.
Contact: Oscar Balaguer oscarbal@hotmail.com

For the Love of Koans
2017-05-01 19:00 - 20:45 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Led by Doralee Grindler Katonah.

Dharma Art Day 2017
2017-05-06 09:00 - 16:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Rediscover beginner’s mind while creating a collage or assemblage out of bits and pieces; paint and glue. No art experience needed – in fact, the less you know, the better! Led by Barbara Baccei, Karen Hamilton and Doralee Grindler Katonah.
Fee: $25 for materials (scholarships available)
Register at Eventbrite.com or in person on a Monday night.

Zen's Chinese Ancestors: Kuan-Yin
2017-05-08 19:00 - 20:45 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Introduced by tanto Jim Hare.

Zen's Chinese Ancestors: Hanshan
2017-05-15 19:00 - 20:45 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Hanshan (9th century) was a legendary figure associated with a collection of poems from the Chinese Tang Dynasty in the Taoist and Chan traditions. Jim Hare will present stories about this famous ancestor.

Dharma Center Envisioning
2017-05-21 09:00 - 13:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
This time is set aside for all of us in the community to have the opportunity to discuss together how we want to use our new space – both inside and outside the building. We encourage as many Sustaining Sangha members as possible to come and share their ideas. Please come to one or both meetings, the envisioning process will build on itself over the two days, but individual ideas and input will be welcome on both days.
Envisioning schedule:
Sunday, May 21 ~ 9 am – 1 pm
Sunday, June 18 ~ 9 am – 3 pm

Zen's Chinese Ancestors: Rujing
2017-05-22 19:00 - 20:45 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Our guiding teacher, Rev. Myo Lahey, will discuss our zen ancestor, Rujing, Dogen’s teacher in China.

CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY
2017-05-29 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States

One-day Sitting with Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel
2017-06-03 09:00 - 17:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Visiting teacher, Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, of Still Breathing Zen Meditation Center in Oakland, will lead our meditation and offer dharma talks during this special one-day sitting. Rev. Zenju was ordained by Zenkei Blanche Hartman Roshi and received dharma transmission in January 2016. As an author and ordained Soto Zen Buddhist priest, she combines Zen meditation, intuitive knowing, and indigenous wisdom in a path of liberation.
Her teaching theme for the day will be Shinzo: Ever Intimate. The term Shinzo refers to the practice of not rejecting either delusion or enlightenment; being “ever intimate” with the experience that comes our way. Register here.

Way-Seeking Mind Talk by Stephen Streed
2017-06-05 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States

Retreat Night
2017-06-12 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Retreat night consists of three 25-minute sitting periods with walking meditation in between – a time to sit quietly with no interruptions.

Half-day Sitting
2017-07-01 08:30 - 12:30 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Please join us for our bi-monthly half-day sitting. At the conclusion of the sitting, we will enjoy a social lunch together, so please bring a bag lunch.

Haiku Poetry Night
2017-07-03 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Sangha member, Linda Dekker, will lead us in an evening of reading and writing haiku poetry.
