Valley Streams Zen Sangha

Dharma Talk by Susan Moon
2018-12-17 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
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. Her most recent book is The Hidden Lamp: Stories from 25 Centuries of Awakened Women.
Sue has been a Zen student since 1976, practicing in the lineage of Suzuki Roshi at Berkeley Zen Center, Tassajara Zen Mountain Monastery, Green Gulch Farm, and now with Zoketsu Norman Fischer’s Everyday Zen sangha. She received “entrustment” as a lay teacher in 2005.

CLOSED - Christmas Holiday
2018-12-24 19:00 - 21:00

Winter Celebration & Refreshments
2018-12-31 19:00 - 21:00
Welcome the new year by celebrating the treasure of sangha with your sangha!
Please bring a finger food offering, and poetry, story, or music to share (if you wish).

Practice Circle on "Resolution and Vow"
2019-01-07 19:00 - 21:00
led by So On Jim Hare

Dharma Talk by Rev. Mary Mocine (by recording)
2019-01-14 19:00 - 21:00
Due to family illness, Rev. Mary Mocine will not be able to attend as planned. However, we will be able to hear her teaching on Death and Dying by listening to a recording made on January 13th at SBMG. She recommends reading this article in advance of listening to her talk.
Reverend Mary Mocine, is abbess of Clear Water Zendo in Vallejo. She was trained at San Francisco and Berkeley Zen Centers, and Tassajara Zen Monastery. She was ordained in 1994 by Sojun Mel Weitsman, former Abbot of San Francisco Zen Center and continuing Abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center. Reverend Mocine has also trained with Abbess Zenkei Blanche Hartman and former Abbots Zoketsu Norman Fischer and Tenshin Reb Anderson of the San Francisco Zen Center. She received dharma transmission from Sojun Mel Weitsman in May 2005.

Program Inspired by Martin Luther King
2019-01-21 19:00 - 21:00
led by Doralee Grindler Katonah.

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey
2019-01-28 19:00 - 21:00, 2019-02-25 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.

Inquiry into the Nature of Socially Engaged Buddhism
2019-02-04 19:00 - 21:00
Two Evenings of Inquiry into the Nature of Socially Engaged Buddhism
February 4th and 11th
Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief.
Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now.
You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.
-The Talmud
On this first evening, three Sangha members will offer brief accounts of the ways they are working locally to influence social and political choices. Our assumption is that many sangha members are doing this, whether through voting, volunteer activities, or personal consumption choices. We will follow with a discussion centered around these three questions:
1. Do you ever suffer – physically, psychologically, emotionally, or spiritually – from political, social, economic, or environmental conditions affecting you and others? If so, what do you do about it?
2. Do the terms “engaged Buddhism” and “activism” evoke positive, negative, or neutral sensations/ feeling tones for you?
3. Is engaged Buddhism part of your practice? If so, does it include activism?
We encourage you to prepare a list of the ‘socially conscious’ activities that engage you. Even if you do not consider these activities to be engaged Buddhism we invite everyone to individually and anonymously provide a written list at the first meeting on February 4. The lists will be compiled and presented by on February 11.

What goes on the list? Everything. You might wish to note that you have used your own cup and lid when buying tea at Starbucks for the past five years, and since you buy five cups a week, that means you have eliminated 1,300 plastic cup lids from entering the environment. Or perhaps you always carry a reusable water bottle now, or your own reusable straw. Or you have been driving a hybrid or an electric car for the past year. Or maybe you are working with a group on prison and criminal justice reforms. Or you are involved in lobbying for better health care. Or you do pro bono legal work for immigrant families. Or you invest in funds that put money only into companies that are aligned with social justice and environmental principles. Or you marched on MLK day, or in solidarity with women’s rights, LGBT rights, or with Black Lives Matter. Or … you get the idea. List it all. Because there is probably a lot there.

The February 4 session will include two brief presentations by Oscar Balaguer and Rollin Ives. In preparation, Oscar and Rollin invite you to read this article, “Stand Against Suffering, A Call to Action by Buddhist Teachers.” The article, signed by more than 140 Buddhist leaders, was published in Lion’s Roar on August 21, 2017.
Additional reading: “What’s Buddhist about Socially Engaged Buddhism?” by David Loy.

Both sessions will be facilitated by So On Jim Hare.

Inquiry into the Nature of Socially Engaged Buddhism
2019-02-11 19:00 - 21:00
Two Evenings of Inquiry into the Nature of Socially Engaged Buddhism
February 4th and 11th
Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief.
Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now.
You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.
-The Talmud

The February 11 session is envisioned as a deeper dive into a sort of data-driven snapshot of the depth and breadth of the VSZS community’s already on-going socially engaged Buddhist practices. Even if you do not consider these activities to be engaged Buddhism we invite everyone to individually and anonymously provide a written list at the first meeting on February 4. The lists will be compiled and presented by on February 11.

Your written lists are responses to these three questions:
1. Do you ever suffer – physically, psychologically, emotionally, or spiritually – from political, social, economic, or environmental conditions affecting you and others? If so, what do you do about it?
2. Do the terms “engaged Buddhism” and “activism” evoke positive, negative, or neutral sensations/feeling tones for you?
3. Is engaged Buddhism part of your practice? If so, does it include activism?

What goes on the list? Everything. You might wish to note that you have used your own cup and lid when buying tea at Starbucks for the past five years, and since you buy five cups a week, that means you have eliminated 1,300 plastic cup lids from entering the environment. Or, perhaps you always carry a reusable water bottle now, or your own reusable straw. Or, you have been driving a hybrid or an electric car for the past year. Or, maybe you are working with a group on prison and criminal justice reforms. Or, you are involved in lobbying for better health care. Or, you do pro bono legal work for immigrant families. Or, you invest in funds that put money only into companies that are aligned with social justice and environmental principles. Or, you marched on MLK day, or in solidarity with women’s rights, LGBT rights, or with Black Lives Matter. Or … you get the idea. List it all. Because there is probably a lot there.

Suggested reading:

“Stand Against Suffering, A Call to Action by Buddhist Teachers.”, signed by more than 140 Buddhist leaders; published in Lion’s Roar on August 21, 2017.
“What’s Buddhist about Socially Engaged Buddhism?” by David Loy.

“There is no magic formula to be involved. The solutions are not to be found, they are to be worked out together.” – David Loy

Full Moon Ceremony
2019-02-18 19:00 - 21:00, 2019-06-17 19:00 - 21:00
This ceremony reminds us that enlightenment is enacted with Bodhisattva precepts, which are recited in a call and response format during the ceremony. We enter the ceremony following two periods of zazen interspersed with walking meditation. Whole-heartedly we celebrate the whole moon. Everyone is invited to participate.

Practice Talk by John Wark
2019-03-04 19:00 - 21:00

Dharma Talk by Rev. Mary Mocine
2019-03-11 19:00 - 21:00
Reverend Mary Mocine, is abbess of Clear Water Zendo in Vallejo. She was trained at San Francisco and Berkeley Zen Centers, and Tassajara Zen Monastery. She was ordained in 1994 by Sojun Mel Weitsman, former Abbot of San Francisco Zen Center and continuing Abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center. Reverend Mocine has also trained with Abbess Zenkei Blanche Hartman and former Abbots Zoketsu Norman Fischer and Tenshin Reb Anderson of the San Francisco Zen Center. She received dharma transmission from Sojun Mel Weitsman in May 2005.

Retreat Night
2019-03-18 19:00 - 21:00
Retreat Night offers an opportunity to settle into your meditation practice with three 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.

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey
2019-03-25 19:00 - 21:00
Rev. Myo Lahey is Abbot at Hartford Street Zen Centerin 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.

Dharma Talk by Rev. So On Jim Hare
2019-04-01 19:00 - 21:00, 2019-06-03 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.

Practice Talk by Michael Simpson and David Angstead
2019-04-08 19:00 - 21:00

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey
2019-04-15 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. Please call ‭(916) 393-3961‬ to schedule an appointment.

Dharma talk by Rev. Edward Espe Brown
2019-04-22 19:00 - 21:00
Edward Espe Brown is a well-known Soto Zen Buddhist teacher, author, and chef. 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. His latest book is The Most Important Point: Zen Teachings, published by Sounds True. Edward will also lead a one-day retreat for SBMG on Saturday, April 20. He will be reading and signing his book on Friday, April 19th at Time Tested Books, 1114 21st Street (between L & K streets).

Way-seeking Mind Talk by Larry Smith
2019-04-29 19:00 - 21:00

Pilgrimage to Japan, presented by So On Jim Hare & Un Jo Karen Hamilton
2019-05-06 19:00 - 21:00
Jim and Karen will relate their impressions of temple life and traditional Japanese arts encountered during their recent trip to Japan.

Retreat Night
2019-05-13 19:00 - 21:00
On Retreat Night you have an opportunity to settle into your meditation practice with three 25-minute periods of zazen, interspersed with walking meditation (called kinhin). Turning the light inward we explore the causes of suffering and what can end it. This invitation is extended to everyone.

Way-Seeking Mind Talk, by Doralee Grindler Katonah
2019-05-20 19:00 - 21:00

CLOSED for Memorial Day Holiday
2019-05-27 19:00 - 21:00

Zen Poetry Night, led by Linda Dekker
2019-06-10 19:00 - 21:00
Sangha member, Linda Dekker, will lead us in an evening of reading and writing poetry.

Reading & Discussion Circle, led by Rev. So-On Jim Hare
2019-06-24 19:00 - 21:00
Reading “A Field Far Beyond Form & Emptiness”, by Tenshin Reb Anderson. (in Warm Smiles from Cold Mountains, SFZC, 1995)

Way-Seeking Mind Talk by Berry Crawford
2019-07-01 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.Mon

Tea & Conversation led by Linda Dekker
2019-07-08 19:00 - 21:00
