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 […]
Study is one of the pillars of Zen practice. Please join us every Thursday morning for our ongoing study group to discuss ancient and contemporary texts. Facilitated by Rev. So-On Jim Hare. Readings from Mahayana Buddhism & Soto Zen texts and commentaries. Contact Rollin Ives (twl4148@gmail.com) for current readings. Meet in the Board Room
On the last Sunday of every month volunteers are invited to help with outdoor maintenance, indoor cleaning, and other tasks around the Sacramento Dharma Center. It is a great way to show your gratitude, with the added benefit of making new friends! Sacramento Dharma Center Work Day
Welcome the new year by celebrating the treasure of sangha with your sangha friends! After meditation & service, join us for tea and conversation. Taking care of the Sangha is a treasure to appreciate along with Buddha and Dharma. Please bring a finger food offering, and poetry, story, or music to share (if you wish).
Zazen practice eases anxiety and fear, and brings forth our courageous spirit, strengthening our capacity to meet what comes with a calm mind. Please join us for a morning of sitting and walking meditation and a Dharma talk. Please bring a bag lunch if you would like to join us for a social lunch after the […]
Topic to be announced.
This ceremony is an affirmation of the vow to live for the benefit of all beings. In the Zen tradition we associate the full moon with the ideal of awakening. All are welcome. Our Monday night programs begin with zazen (sitting meditation) followed by a devotional service and dharma talk, group discussion, practice circle or […]
Our discussion tonight will recognize and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"I have discovered that it is necessary, absolutely necessary, to believe in nothing. That is, we have to believe in something which has no form and no color---something which exists before all forms and colors appear." ~ Shunryu Suzuki, roshi This theme will be explored in our practice and in the Dharma talk. The retreat will […]
The Wheel of Liberation, as taught in the Upanisa Sutra, describes the conditions that lead to the end of suffering. This wheel of “liberating" conditionality corresponds to the third and fourth noble truths, the truths that there is an end to suffering and that there is a path to the end of suffering. Our Monday […]