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 the truth of the moment. Our Practice Circle Guidelines: (adapted from the Zen Center […]
Tenshin Reb Anderson will lead this 2-day retreat. His theme is: "An old time buddha said, 'earth, grass, trees, all living beings are engaged in buddha activity.' Buddha activity is the unceasing process of freeing all beings so they may live in peace and harmony. The buddha ancestors called this buddha activity zazen. In this […]
Study period reading is The Record of Transmitting the Light: Zen Master Keizan's Denkoroku, translated by Francis D. Cook, Wisdom Publications, 1996. Online at SOTOZEN-NET. (different translation)
Gus Koehler will offer a half-day course on the study of Buddhist Thangkas, and how to use them to support practice. Gus will decode the symbols and meanings of the Buddha Shakyamuni, Manjusri, and White Tara paintings which hang in our meditation hall. The Wheel of Time image will also be examined. Gus has studied […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.