Rohatsu Sesshin - Opening Evening Program (Online)
2022-11-27 19:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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, 2025-12-03 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.

Rohatsu Sesshin Evening Program (Online Only)
2025-12-02 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-03 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-04 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 (PDF)
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.

Dogen's "Universal Recommendations for Zazen" - Five-week Online Class led by Nyokai Kristin Diggs (Online only)
2026-05-19 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-06-02 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-06-16 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-06-30 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-07-14 18:30 - 20:00 | ONLINE via Zoom
Nyokai Kristin Diggs will be offering a five-week online class on Eihei Dogen Zenji’s seminal essay, Fukanzazengi (“Universal Recommendations for Zazen”), sometimes loosely translated “Instructions/Guidelines for Seated Meditation.” It is a rich text full of poetically written allusions to earlier Chan teachings as well as practical instructions for the physical and mental posture of zazen (sitting/seated Zen).
The five-class series will be offered approximately every other week on Tuesday evenings, 6:30pm-8:00pm, from May 19th – July 14th. During during that period, Kristin will also be offering a few dharma talks (and a one-day sitting) with the same focus.
The classes and talks will be offered on the following dates:
May 19th (class)
June 2nd (class)
June 8th (Valley Streams Dharma talk)
June 14th (Green Gulch Farm Dharma talk)
June 16th (class)
June 30th (class)
July 14th (class)
July 18th (Valley Streams one-day sitting and Dharma talk)
Please find additional information and sign-up on Eventbrite. If you would rather the class start at 7 p.m. or have questions, please contact Kristin at nyokai.kristin.diggs@gmail.com.
