Buddha's Birthday Sitting and Ceremony
2017-04-10 19:00 - 20:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States

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.

Dharma Talk by Rev. Kyosho Valorie Beer
2017-07-17 19:00 - 21:00
Rev. Kyosho Valorie Beer is an itinerant teacher for SF Zen Center’s Branching Streams sanghas. She received dharma transmission from Edward Brown in 2013. In addition to leading retreats, Valorie is a teacher for sewing Buddha’s Robe, sutra copying, practicing with aging, and writing as a spiritual practice.

Way-Seeking Mind Talk by Patti Mitchell
2017-07-31 19:00 - 21:00
The ‘way-seeking-mind talk’, gives a sangha member the opportunity to tell dharma friends the story of how we came to Zen practice. It usually emphasizes two aspects – the suffering and the fortuitous circumstances that brought us here.

Way-Seeking Mind Talk by Raphael Calix
2017-08-14 19:00 - 21:00

Zazen, Tea & Treats
2017-08-28 19:00 - 21:00
After meditation & service, join us for tea and conversation. Taking care of the Sangha is a treasure to appreciate along with Buddha and Dharma.

CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY
2017-09-04 19:00 - 21:00
Please enjoy the holiday with family and friends! We will start up again on Monday, September 11.

Practice Circle: Appreciative Inquiry
2017-09-11 19:00 - 21:00
Led by sangha members who learned this method of sharing at the 2017 Branching Streams Network conference in Chicago.

Retreat Night
2017-09-25 19:00 - 21:00
Retreat night consists of three 25-minute sitting periods with walking meditation in between. All are welcome.

"Perfection of Wisdom Sutras" talk by Doralee Grindler Katonah
2017-10-02 19:00 - 21:00
The theme for our Fall Study Period is the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras, or Prajñāpāramitā, mother of all Buddhas. Prajñāpāramitā refers to the perfected way of seeing the nature of reality, as well as to a particular body of sutras and to the personification of the concept in the Bodhisattva known as the “Great Mother”.
Doralee’s Handouts: Suggestions for Practicing with the Prajnaparamita Sutra
The Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines & Its Verse Summary
translated by Edward Conze (complete text)

Practice Circle led by Doralee Grindler Katonah
2017-10-09 19:00 - 21:00
Practice Circle on the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras, or Prajñāpāramitā. Tonight we will discuss how we have practiced with Doralee’s handouts during the past week.
Doralee’s Handouts: Suggestions for Practicing with the Prajnaparamita Sutra
The Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines & Its Verse Summary
translated by Edward Conze (complete text)

Dharma Talk by So On Jim Hare
2017-10-16 19:00 - 21:00
On Maka Hanna Haramitsu, or The Perfection of Wisdom, the second book of the Shōbōgenzō by Eihei Dōgen.

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey
2017-10-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2017-11-27 19:00 - 21:00
We welcome our guiding teacher from Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco.

Sejiki Ceremony
2017-10-30 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.

One Mind: a cinematic meditation
2017-11-06 19:00 - 21:00
One Mind is an intimate portrait of life inside one of China’s most respected & austere monastic communities. Eschewing talking-head interviews and the authority of a narrative voice, audiences can expect an immersion into the textures and sounds of life in a traditional Zen (Chan) monastic community in Southern China.
(2016; Edward A. Burger; filmed in Jiangxi Province, China; 81 mins.; Mandarin with English subtitles)

Practice Talk by Patti Mitchell
2017-11-13 19:00 - 21:00

Dharma Talk by Lama Yeshe Jinpa
2017-11-20 19:00 - 21:00
Lama Yeshe Jinpa is the spiritual director and resident teacher of Lion’s Roar Dharma Center in Sacramento. In 1995, Lama Jinpa received direct heart/mind transmission from Geshe Gyatso after 25 years of Dharma practice and study. He is one of the few western lamas thus far recognized within the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan or Vajrayana Buddhism, the lineage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Tea & Discussion of SDC Envisioning
2017-12-04 19:00 - 21:00
After meditation & service, join us for tea and discussion. The evening will be devoted to responding to building plans envisioned for our home, the Sacramento Dharma Center.
