Valley Streams Zen Sangha

Introduction to Winter Theme by Doralee Grindler Katonah
2017-01-02 19:00 - 20:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
“The highest value of Buddhist practice is to shine the light of awareness on habits of mind that perpetuate prejudice and discrimination so all may wake up together. This includes learning how we are conditioned to separate ourselves by race, gender, age, ability, sexual orientation and other forms of cultural identity.” (VSZ Diversity Statement)
This season we will take up the concept of “other” and the object-seeking mind. Using our Diversity Statement, we will “study the self”, the object-seeking mind, and our human tendency to “other” that which is different, helping us to see how our practice supports the development of skillful means in turning toward, rather than away from, difficult interactions. Through talks by sangha members and guests, readings and discussion, we will explore together the “harmony of difference and equality.”

Introduction to Zen Meditation
2017-01-09 18:00 - 18:40, 2017-02-13 18:00 - 18:40, 2017-03-13 18:00 - 18:40
For those who are new to Zen meditation, we offer this 40-minute introduction on the second Monday every month.

Full Moon Ceremony
2017-01-09 19:00 - 20:45
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.

Kuan Yin Bodhisattva, by Miriam Davis
2017-01-16 19:00 - 20:45
To observe the birthdays of Rev. Martin Luther King and Eihei Dogen, we will have a presentation by Miriam Davis on the bodhisattva of compassion, Kuan Yin, “The One Who Hears the Cries of the World”.

Dharma Talk by So On Jim Hare
2017-01-23 19:00 - 20:45, 2017-04-03 19:00 - 20:45

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey
2017-01-30 19:00 - 20:45, 2017-02-27 19:00 - 20:45, 2017-03-20 19:00 - 21:00
We welcome our guiding teacher from Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco.

Practice Talks by Doralee and Oscar
2017-02-06 19:00 - 20:45
Tonight we get a 2 for 1: Doralee Grindler Katonah and Oscar Balaguer will share experiences they had during the recent 3-week winter intensive practice period at Green Gulch Farm, led by Senior Dharma teacher Reb Anderson.

Presentation by Hozan Alan Senauke
2017-02-13 19:00 - 20:45
Hozan Alan Senauke, Vice Abbot of Berkeley Zen Center, will guide us through a presentation and discussion as we work with our Diversity Statement. Hozan was ordained at Berkeley Zen Center in 1989 and received Dharma Transmission from Sojun Roshi in 1998. He brings a global perspective on socially-engaged Buddhism and Zen as a force for positive change. Since 1991 Hozan has been a leader at Buddhist Peace Fellowship. He founded the Clear View Project, bringing Buddhist-based resources for relief and social change where they are needed around the world.

Presidents' Day Program led by Doralee Grindler Katonah
2017-02-20 19:00 - 20:45
Doralee will introduce Dogen Zenji’s text “Raihai Tokuzui: Bowing and Acquiring the Essence” from the Shobogenzo. (translated by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi and Yasuda Joshu Dainen roshi.)

(Recorded) Dharma Talk by Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel
2017-03-06 19:00 - 20:45
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)

Practice Talk by Linda Dekker
2017-03-13 19:00 - 20:45
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.

Panel Discussion
2017-03-27 19:00 - 20:45
On our winter theme: What we have learned about how we are conditioned to separate ourselves.

Buddha's Birthday Sitting and Ceremony
2017-04-10 19:00 - 20:45

Introduction to Zen Meditation
2017-04-10 18:00 - 18:40
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
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
Oscar was lay ordained by Tenshin Reb Anderson.

For the Love of Koans
2017-05-01 19:00 - 20:45
Led by Doralee Grindler Katonah.

Zen's Chinese Ancestors: Kuan-Yin
2017-05-08 19:00 - 20:45
Introduced by tanto Jim Hare.

Zen's Chinese Ancestors: Hanshan
2017-05-15 19:00 - 20:45
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.

Zen's Chinese Ancestors: Rujing
2017-05-22 19:00 - 20:45
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

Way-Seeking Mind Talk by Stephen Streed
2017-06-05 19:00 - 21:00

Retreat Night
2017-06-12 19:00 - 21:00
Retreat night consists of three 25-minute sitting periods with walking meditation in between – a time to sit quietly with no interruptions.

Haiku Poetry Night
2017-07-03 19:00 - 21:00
Sangha member, Linda Dekker, will lead us in an evening of reading and writing haiku poetry.

Buddha's Teachings on Social & Communal Harmony
2017-07-10 19:00 - 21:00
Several sangha practice leaders will present Buddha’s Teachings on Social & Communal Harmony after studying with Hozan Alan Senauke, of Berkeley Zen Center.
