Full Moon Ceremony (in-person and online)
2022-04-18 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
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 (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.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Dharma Talk by Diane Wilde (in-person and online)
2022-04-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
DIANE WILDE has studied meditation in various traditions since 1990. In 2001 she was a founding member of Sacramento Insight Meditation. She founded Buddhist Pathways Prison Project (aka Boundless Freedom Project) in 2010 and has been a prison chaplain for 18 years. She is a graduate of Sati Center’s Buddhist Chaplaincy program and graduated from Spirit Rock Meditation Center’s Community Dharma Leadership Training Program. She is a board member of Sati Center for Buddhist Studies at the Sacramento Dharma Center. In 2015 she was lay-ordained as a Buddhist minister by Gil Fronsdal.
*Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey (in-person and online)
2022-05-02 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
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. Tonight’s talk will be online from Hartford Street Zen Center.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Dharma Talk by Danan John Wark (in person & online)
2022-05-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Danan John Wark, abbot of Cloud Zendo in Pilot Hill, practices koan introspection and has received inka from Zen Master BoMun (George Bowman) in the Single Flower Sangha tradition. Master BoMun is associated with the Kwan Um School of Zen and also with Boundless Way Zen. John has also studied koans with Tenshin Reb Anderson at No Abode Hermitage. Cloud Zendo offers sutra service and zazen every Saturday morning at 8:30 in Auburn at Sierra Foothills Unitarian Universalist Church, 190 Finley St., Auburn, CA 95603.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Dharma Talk by Paravrtti Doralee Grindler Katonah (in person & online)
2022-05-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Paravrtti Doralee Grindler Katonah serves as Ino, or head of the meditation hall. She studied in the Soto Zen lineage with Sojun Diane Martin in Illinois and with Rev. Val Szymanski in California. She was priest ordained in 2019 by Sojun Diane Martin. She will offer her talk in the Meditation Hall.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Dharma Talk by So'on Jim Hare (in person & online)
2022-05-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
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 Rev. Myo Lahey in 2016. Jim will offer his talk in the Meditation Hall.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Dharma Talk by Rev. Mary Mocine (in person & online)
2022-06-06 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Joining us this evening is Reverend Mary Mocine, 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.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Retreat Night (Hybrid)
2022-08-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
On Retreat Night we offer an opportunity to settle into your meditation practice with two or 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.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Practice Talk by Oscar Balaguer (Hybrid, speaker in person)
2022-08-29 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Senior student and longtime member of Valley Streams Sangha, Oscar was lay ordained by Tenshin Reb Anderson.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

BIPOC Sangha Meeting with Rhonda V. Magee (Online)
2022-09-11 16:15 - 18:00 | ONLINE via Zoom
BIPOC Sangha is pleased to welcome Professor Rhonda Magee for “Reflections on Engaged Mindfulness: The Inner Work of Confronting Social Injustice in a Time of Distress”
*This program is for BIPOC practitioners.

REGISTER FOR THIS ONLINE PROGRAM
Rhonda Magee, MA, JD has dedicated her life to healing and teaching that inspires personal, interpersonal and collective transformation. Professor of Law at University of San Francisco since 2004, her teachings support compassionate conflict engagement and management, holistic problem-solving to alleviate suffering, presence-based leadership and humanizing approaches to education. A trained mindfulness teacher, she demonstrates the merit of embodied meditation allied with the disciplines of study and community engagement. A Fellow of the Mind and Life Institute, she is also a guest teacher and has held senior leadership positions with several international mindfulness organizations. Author of numerous articles and book chapters, her first book, The lnner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities through Mindfulness, was published in 2019.

⇒ Rhonda Magee will also be guest teacher on Monday, September 12, 7-9 PM at Valley Streams Zen Sangha.

Way-Seeking Mind Talk with Brendan O'Brian (Hybrid)
2022-11-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Shi Shin Brendan O’Brien has been a member of the Valley Streams community for the past three years. He is also a member of the Hartford Street Zen Sangha in San Francisco. Recently, in October, he received the Bodhisattva precepts from Rev. Myō Lahey and Rev. So’On Jim Hare. Brendan is a student of history at Sacramento State University and works as a civil servant for the State of California.
Each of us has come to Zen practice as a seeker, with a spirit of inquiry, from diverse backgrounds. The idea of our way-seeking mind talks is for members to share how it is they came to practice. Each person tells his or her own story in a unique way that often blends autobiography, spiritual biography, and the practice questions engaging each person.

*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Rohatsu Sesshin - Opening Evening Program (Online)
2022-11-27 19:30 - 20:30 | ONLINE via Zoom
Rohatsu means the 8th day of the 12th month, which is the traditional day for celebrating Buddha’s enlightenment. Sesshin means ‘to gather the mind.’ As the darkest days of the year approach, we sit together with the principle of awakening, fully opening to the ‘wisdom beyond wisdom’ that is revealed in sitting meditation.
The initial days of this week-long retreat will be offered online via Zoom, sitting mornings and evenings, starting Sunday evening Nov. 27 through Thursday Dec. 1. Friday Dec. 2 and Saturday Dec. 3, we will sit in person all day at the Dharma Center, including into the evening. These in-person days will include Oryoki meals, the traditional three-bowl Zen style of eating. We will end with a half-day in-person sitting and closing ceremony on Sunday, Dec.4. There will be Dharma talks on Monday evening and Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings. Full 7-Day Rohatsu Schedule

Sunday Schedule:
7:30 pm Welcome and Orientation
8:00 pm Zazen
8:30 pm Refuges
For more information or to request a reduced fee or scholarship, please contact us at info@valleystreamszen.org
** Register for full Sesshin at Eventbrite.com

Rohatsu Sesshin Morning Program (Online)
2022-11-28 06:00 - 07:30 | ONLINE via Zoom
Morning Rohatsu schedule, Monday – Wednesday – ONLINE
6:00 Zazen
6:30 Kinhin
6:40 Zazen
7:10 Service
Register for week-long program on Eventbrite.
Full Rohatsu schedule
This traditional week of intensified practice celebrates the enlightenment of our original teacher in India, Shakyamuni Buddha. Rohatsu sesshin is a time for bringing light into the dark time of the year and for celebrating Buddha’s awakening, which is our awakening too.

Rohatsu Sesshin Evening Program (Online)
2022-11-29 17:00 - 21:00 | ONLINE via Zoom
Online Evening schedule for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
5:00 pm Zazen
5:30 pm Service
Break/Dinner
7:30 pm Zazen
8:00 pm Kinhin
8:10 pm Zazen
8:40 pm Refuges
This traditional week of intensified practice celebrates the enlightenment of our original teacher in India, Shakyamuni Buddha. Rohatsu sesshin is a time for bringing light into the dark time of the year and for celebrating Boddha’s awakening, which is our awakening too.
Register for week-long program on Eventbrite.com
Full Rohatsu Schedule

Full Moon Ceremony (Hybrid)
2022-12-05 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
The Full Moon Ceremony acknowledges the karma created by our intentional actions, and reminds us to renew our commitment to the ethical conduct expressed as the 16 Bodhisattva Precepts. These are guiding principles for our daily conduct in the world. This ceremony is rooted in a ritual from pre-Buddhist India. Texts for the chants are distributed during the ceremony or available here: *Full Moon Ceremony Chants

To prepare for the ceremony there are two 25 minutes meditation periods separated by 10 minutes of walking meditation. All are welcome to participate.

*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Dharma Talk by Susan Moon (Hybrid - teacher in person)
2022-12-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 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.
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.
*Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Dharma Talk by Rev. Taiga Ito (Speaker In-person)
2023-01-30 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Our guest, Rev. Taiga Ito, trained at Daihonzan Sojiji, one of the head monasteries of Soto Shu (Soto Zen in Japan). In 2016, Taiga Ito became Kokusaifukyoshi (international teacher of Soto Shu). He served as secretary of the Soto Zen Buddhism International Center between 2016 and 2018, and has served as its Assistant Director since 2019.
Our Monday night programs begin with zazen (sitting meditation) followed by a devotional service and dharma talk. There are no membership requirements to participate. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us in person or on zoom.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Rohatsu Sesshin - Opening Evening Program (Online)
2023-11-26 19:30 - 20:30 | ONLINE via Zoom
Rohatsu means the 8th day of the 12th month, which is the traditional day for celebrating Buddha’s enlightenment. Sesshin means ‘to gather the mind.’ As the darkest days of the year approach, we sit together with the principle of awakening, fully opening to the ‘wisdom beyond wisdom’ that is revealed in sitting meditation.
The initial days of this week-long retreat will be offered online via Zoom, sitting mornings and evenings, starting Sunday evening Nov. 26 through Thursday Nov. 30. Friday Dec. 1 and Saturday Dec. 2, we will sit in person all day at the Dharma Center, including into the evening. These in-person days will include Oryoki meals, the traditional three-bowl Zen style of eating. We will end with a half-day in-person sitting and closing ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 3. There will be a Full Moon Ceremony on Monday evening and Dharma talks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Register for week-long program on Eventbrite
Full 7-Day Rohatsu Schedule

Sunday Schedule:
7:30 pm Welcome and Orientation
8:00 pm Zazen
8:30 pm Refuges
For more information or to request a reduced fee or scholarship, please contact us at info@valleystreamszen.org

Rohatsu Sesshin Morning Program (Online)
2023-11-27 06:00 - 07:30 | ONLINE via Zoom
Morning Rohatsu schedule for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – ONLINE
6:00 am Zazen
6:30 am Kinhin
6:40 am Zazen
7:10 am Service
Register for week-long program on Eventbrite
Full 7-Day Rohatsu Schedule
This traditional week of intensified practice celebrates the enlightenment of our original teacher in India, Shakyamuni Buddha. Rohatsu sesshin is a time for bringing light into the dark time of the year and for celebrating Buddha’s awakening, which is our awakening too.

Rohatsu Sesshin Evening Program (Online)
2023-11-28 17:00 - 21:00 | ONLINE via Zoom
Evening Rohatsu schedule for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday – ONLINE
5:00 pm Zazen
5:30 pm Service
Break/Dinner
7:30 pm Zazen
8:00 pm Kinhin
8:10 pm Zazen
8:40 pm Refuges
Register for week-long program on Eventbrite
Full 7-Day Rohatsu Schedule
This traditional week of intensified practice celebrates the enlightenment of our original teacher in India, Shakyamuni Buddha. Rohatsu sesshin is a time for bringing light into the dark time of the year and for celebrating Buddha’s awakening, which is our awakening too.

Rohatsu Sesshin – Opening Evening Program (Online)
2024-12-01 19:30 - 20:45 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Rohatsu means the 8th day of the 12th month, which is the traditional day for celebrating Buddha’s enlightenment. Sesshin means ‘to gather the mind.’ As the darkest days of the year approach, we sit together with the principle of awakening, fully opening to the ‘wisdom beyond wisdom’ that becomes bright in sitting meditation.
The initial days of this week-long retreat will be offered online, sitting morning and evenings. beginning Sunday evening Dec. 1. On Friday and Saturday, December 6 and 7, we will sit all day at the Dharma Center, including into the evening. We will end with a half-day on the 8rd, the traditional day to celebrate Buddha’s awakening. The in-person days will include Oryoki meals, the traditional three-bowl Zen style of eating. There will be Dharma talks on days 6,7, and 8. For more information or to request a reduced fee or scholarship, please contact us at info@valleystreamszen.org.
Note that this retreat is intended for experienced practitioners. Participants should have a regular sitting practice and have attended several one-day retreats. There will be instruction in Oryoki meal practice for those not familiar with it.

Register for week-long program on Eventbrite
Full 7-Day Rohatsu Schedule

Sunday Schedule:
7:30 pm Welcome and Orientation
8:00 pm Zazen
8:30 pm Refuges (PDF)
For more information or to request a reduced fee or scholarship, please contact us at info@valleystreamszen.org

Rohatsu Sesshin Morning Program (Online)
2024-12-02 06:00 - 07:30, 2024-12-03 06:00 - 07:30, 2024-12-04 06:00 - 07:30 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States

Rohatsu Sesshin Evening Program (Online)
2024-12-03 17:00 - 21:00, 2024-12-04 17:00 - 21:00, 2024-12-05 17:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Evening Rohatsu schedule for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday – ONLINE
5:00 pm Zazen
5:30 pm Service
Break/Dinner
7:30 pm Zazen
8:00 pm Kinhin
8:10 pm Zazen
8:40 pm Refuges (PDF)
Register for week-long program on Eventbrite
Full 7-Day Rohatsu Schedule
This traditional week of intensified practice celebrates the enlightenment of our original teacher in India, Shakyamuni Buddha. Rohatsu sesshin is a time for bringing light into the dark time of the year and for celebrating Buddha’s awakening, which is our awakening too.

Rohatsu Sesshin – Opening Evening Program (Online Only)
2025-11-30 19:30 - 20:45 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
During Rohatsu sesshin we celebrate Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightment by dedicating ourselves to zazen practice. As the darkest days of the year approach, we sit together with the principle of awakening, fully opening to the ‘wisdom beyond wisdom’ that becomes bright in sitting meditation.
This year’s Rohatsu will be co-led by So’on Jim Hare and Paravritti Doralee Grindler Katonah. The teaching will be based on the Sattipatthana Sutra, the sutra on the four establishments or foundations of mindfullness.
This retreat is offered partly online and partly in-person. The in-person days include formal Oryoki meals for lunch and dinner. There will be Dharma talks on days 2, 6, 7, and 8. For more information or to request a reduced fee or scholarship, please contact us at info@valleystreamszen.org.
Note that this retreat is intended for experienced practitioners. Participants should have a regular sitting practice and have attended several one-day retreats at Valley Streams or elsewhere. There will be instruction in Oryoki meal practice for those not familiar with it.
Register for week-long program on Eventbrite

Sunday Schedule:
7:30 pm Welcome and Orientation
8:00 pm Zazen
8:30 pm Refuges (PDF)

Rohatsu Sesshin Morning Program (Online Only)
2025-12-01 06:00 - 07:30, 2025-12-02 06:00 - 07:30 | ONLINE via Zoom
Morning Rohatsu schedule for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – ONLINE
6:00 am Zazen
6:30 am Kinhin
6:40 am Zazen
7:10 am Service (VSZS Sutras and Texts)
This traditional week of intensified practice celebrates the enlightenment of our original teacher in India, Shakyamuni Buddha. Rohatsu sesshin is a time for bringing light into the dark time of the year and for celebrating Buddha’s awakening, which is our awakening too.
