Valley Streams Zen Sangha

Imagination & the Bodhisattva Path: a Day-long Retreat with Zoketsu Norman Fischer
2019-10-20 10:00 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
The full title of this retreat is “The World Could Be Otherwise: Imagination and the Bodhisattva Path.” Norman will lead us in sitting and walking meditation, and speak on themes from his new book, The World Could Be Otherwise, Through the Buddhist teaching of the six paramitas or “perfections”, this book demonstrates an imaginative approach to spiritual practice in difficult times, leading to kindness, wisdom, and a more awakened life. Copies will be available for purchase at the event.
Norman Fischer is a poet, essayist, and a Zen Buddhist priest who teaches in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. In 2000, he retired as co-abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center to found Everyday Zen Foundation, an organization dedicated to adapting Zen Buddhist teachings to Western culture.
This retreat is sponsored by SBMG (Sacramento Buddhist Meditation Group)
Register on Eventbrite.com

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey
2019-10-21 19:00 - 21:00, 2019-12-16 19:00 - 21:00
Rev. Myo Lahey is Abbot at Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco and our guiding teacher. He has previously served as Practice Leader at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. He is a Dharma heir of Tenshin Reb Anderson. Rev. Myo is available for individual practice discussion by appointment prior to our evening program at the Dharma Center.

Our 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. We invite donations to 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. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.

Sejiki Ceremony
2019-10-28 19:00 - 21:00
Our Sejiki, or food-offering, ceremony is an opportunity to call forth the spirits of those who have passed this way before, offering them solace and acknowledging our ongoing connection to them. Treats, tea and conversation after the ceremony. Please bring noise makers and a treat to share.

If you would like the name of a loved one who has died during the past year, recited in the ceremony, please send the full name of that person (and pronunciation) to info@valleystreamszen.org.
All are welcome.

Half-day Sitting, led by So On Jim Hare
2019-11-02 09:00 - 13:00
A half-day schedule of sitting and walking meditation, offered along with a Dharma talk by So-On Jim Hare.

Please bring a bag lunch if you would like to join us for a social lunch after the formal program.
If this is your first time practicing with us or your first half-day sitting, please call Jim at 916-456-7752 so you can learn more about the day. $20

Registration TBA – or sign up on a Monday evening.

Sangha Annual Meeting & Potluck Brunch
2019-11-03 10:00 - 13:00
This is a once-a-year opportunity to meet your sangha friends, new board members and get the news about Valley Streams Zen Sangha. All members, along with their family & friends are warmly invited to attend.
Please let us know by email or in person, what food offering, and how many people you will bring. Drinks and utensils will be provided.

Celebration of Doralee Grindler Katonah's Priest Ordination
2019-11-04 19:00 - 21:00
After zazen, we will celebrate Doralee Grindler Katonah’s recent priest ordination with her root teacher, Sojun Diane Martin, with whom she has studied for the past 18 years. Doralee’s ordination into the Soto Zen lineages of Shunryu Suzuki and Dainin Katagiri, took place on October 19th at Indian Creek Zen Farm near Ottawa, Illinois.
During her time of priest training Rev. Val Szymanski, Guiding Teacher at Bamboo in the Wind Zen Sangha in Sunnyvale, CA. has been her second teacher, here in California. Rev. Val received transmission from Roshi Diane Martin in 2010. In addition, Cornelia Junfu Shonkwiler, Head Teacher at Middle Way Zen in San Jose, Ca., was Doralee’s sewing teacher.
Rev. Val with the assistance of Practice Leader Jim Hare will conduct this welcoming of priesthood ceremony at the Sacramento Dharma Center.
All are invited to share in this auspicious event and enjoy tea and treats after the ceremony.

Sacramento Dharma Center's Third Anniversary Party
2019-11-09 13:00 - 16:00
You are invited to celebrate what your generous time, effort and financial support has manifested as we mark another year together in our beautiful Dharma Center building. Bring your family and friends!
More details at SDC website.
If you would like to be on the volunteer committee for the party contact Linda Dekker at zendekker@gmail.com.

Dharma Talk by Rev. So-On Jim Hare (Fall Study Period ends)
2019-11-11 19:00 - 21:00
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 in 2016.
Our 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. We invite donations to 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. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.

Dharma Talk by Alan Block
2019-11-18 19:00 - 21:00
Alan Block, Onzan Shinsho, is entrusted as a teacher of Zen Buddhism by Zoketsu Norman Fischer in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki of the San Francisco Zen Center. He worked in construction for 30 years and previously taught college level history. He leads an Everyday Zen Oakland sitting group called “meditation and a buddhist approach to life” on Tuesday evenings in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland.

Our 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. We invite donations to 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. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.

Study Group
2019-11-21 08:00 - 09:00
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.

Way-seeking Mind Talk by Susan Farrar
2019-11-25 19:00 - 21:00
Our 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. We invite donations to 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. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.

Study Group - CANCELLED
2019-11-28 08:00 - 09:00
We will resume on December 5.
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.

Discussion of a koan, led by So-On Jim Hare
2019-12-02 19:00 - 21:00
Discussion of a case from the Denkoroku: Record of the Transmission of the Light, led by Rev. So-On Jim Hare.
Our 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. We invite donations to 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. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.

Rohatsu Sesshin, Day 1
2019-12-06 09:00 - 21:00
“…when we practice zazen, it is not that big mind is actually controlling small mind, but simply that when small mind becomes calm, big mind starts its true activity.” ~Suzuki Roshi
For the third year, Valley Streams Zen is offering a two-and-a half day non-residential sesshin. This is an opportunity to set aside daily concerns, giving all our attention to our sitting practice, and taking care of ourselves as we would a guest. The schedule for this retreat will be 9am – 9pm on Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7, and 9am – 12pm on Sunday, December 8 (plus 1/1/2 hours cleanup). In addition to a schedule that includes sitting and walking meditation, break periods and Dharma talks, we will serve oryoki-style meals for lunch and dinner on the first two days of the retreat. Oryoki is the traditional practice of serving and eating meals together in silence. Please sign up by November 25, by completing the form below and returning it to Practice Leader Jim Hare.
Schedule: Friday & Saturday, 9 am – 9 pm.; Sunday, 9 am – 2 pm.
Cost: $60 for full sesshin; $30 per full day; $15 per half day (scholarships available)
Register using this form; on a Monday night; or email So-On Jim Hare at info@valleystreamszen.org
** Watch a short video demonstrating basic Oryoki forms
** Oryoki Instruction Booklet

Rohatsu Sesshin, Day 2
2019-12-07 09:00 - 21:00
“…when we practice zazen, it is not that big mind is actually controlling small mind, but simply that when small mind becomes calm, big mind starts its true activity.” ~Suzuki Roshi
For the third year, Valley Streams Zen is offering a two-and-a half day non-residential sesshin. This is an opportunity to set aside daily concerns, giving all our attention to our sitting practice, and taking care of ourselves as we would a guest. The schedule for this retreat will be 9am – 9pm on Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7, and 9am – 12pm on Sunday, December 8 (plus 1/1/2 hours cleanup). In addition to a schedule that includes sitting and walking meditation, break periods and Dharma talks, we will serve oryoki-style meals for lunch and dinner on the first two days of the retreat. Oryoki is the traditional practice of serving and eating meals together in silence. Please sign up by November 25, by completing the form below and returning it to Practice Leader Jim Hare.
Schedule: Friday & Saturday, 9 am – 9 pm.; Sunday, 9 am – 2 pm.
Cost: $60 for full sesshin; $30 per full day; $15 per half day (scholarships available)
Register using this form; on a Monday night; or email So-On Jim Hare at info@valleystreamszen.org
** Watch a short video demonstrating basic Oryoki forms

Rohatsu Sesshin, Day 3
2019-12-08 09:00 - 14:00

Introduction to Zen Meditation
2019-12-09 18:00 - 18:40
On the second Monday of each month, we offer a 40-minute introduction to Zen practice. We focus on the art of sitting meditation, with emphasis on posture, breath, and methods for, and problems encountered when we try to corral our attention. This is for new meditators and those wishing to refresh their practice of meditative immersion. As time allows, we demonstrate forms of practice used in the meditation hall. The class meets in the Teacher Room in the West Lobby.

Full Moon Ceremony
2019-12-09 19:00 - 21:00, 2020-01-13 19:00 - 21:00
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 retreat night. There are no membership requirements to participate. We invite donations to 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. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.

Meditation and Writing Retreat, led by Susan Moon
2019-12-14 09:00 - 16:30
Susan Moon is a writer, editor, and lay teacher in the Soto Zen tradition. She is the author of a number of books about Buddhism, including the humor book The Life and Letters of Tofu Roshi and This Is Getting Old: Zen Thoughts on Aging with Humor and Dignity. For many years she was the editor of Turning Wheel, the journal of socially engaged Buddhism. Her short stories and essays have been published widely.
This event is sponsored by SBMG. Register on Eventbrite

Retreat Night
2019-12-23 19:00 - 21:00
This short Retreat Night offers an opportunity to settle into your meditation practice with two 25-minute periods of zazen, interspersed with walking meditation (kinhin). Turning the light inward, we explore the causes of suffering and what ends it. This invitation is extended to everyone.

Morning Zazen - CANCELLED
2019-12-26 06:00 - 07:30
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

Study Group - CANCELLED
2019-12-26 08:00 - 09:00
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

SDC Volunteer Work Day (suspended)
2019-12-29 09:00 - 12:00
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

Winter Celebration & Refreshments
2019-12-30 19:00 - 21:00
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).

Half-Day Sitting led by So-On Jim Hare
2020-01-04 09:00 - 13:00
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 formal program.
If this is your first time practicing with us or your first half-day sitting, please call Jim at 916-456-7752 so you can learn more about the day. $15

Register on Eventbrite.com – or sign up on a Monday evening.

Dharma Talk by So-On Jim Hare (at SBMG)
2020-01-05 18:30 - 20:30

Practice Talk by Doralee Grindler Katonah
2020-01-06 19:00 - 21:00
Topic to be announced.

Program Inspired by Martin Luther King
2020-01-20 19:00 - 21:00
Our discussion tonight will recognize and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
