Welcome the new year by celebrating the treasure of sangha with your sangha friends. This will be an evening of sharing poetry, stories, and music. 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 […]
This event has been moved to Sunday, May 1 at the Dharma Center.
Join the sangha and their families at the Dharma Center for a celebration of Shakyamuni Buddha's birth and to honor his mother, Queen Maya, who died shortly after his birth. We will ceremoniously bathe the baby Buddha; then have a dramatic reading of Norman Fischer’s Buddha’s Birthday poem. • Bring a picnic lunch and drinks […]
Preparing a Sincere Offering to the Three Treasures: A Creative Exploration of Dogen's Instructions for the Cook Please join us for a day of mindful practice to explore Dogen’s teachings for cooking your life in a creative and experiential way. It is said that “bodhicitta is born of the smallest offering made with sincerity.” In […]
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 […]
Rhonda Magee, MA, JD joins us on zoom with reflections on the inner work of confronting social injustice in a time of distress. She is an internationally recognized educator, author, and practice leader, focused on integrating mindfulness into social change. She draws from Buddhist teachings, law and legal history, weaving together storytelling, poetry, analysis and […]
The ceremony of Jukai consists in receiving the precepts of the Bodhisattva and, by doing so, takes refuge in the three treasures: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. It is the ceremony for lay ordination. Preceptor Rev. Myo Lahey, together with So'on Jim Hare, will convey the precepts to sangha members Brendan O'Brien and Tony Wallin-Sato. A […]
Join Valley Streams Sangha Board of Directors for a Sunday potluck brunch to celebrate Valley Streams' 20th Anniversary. Spouses, partners, friends and family---are all invited. Gather at 10 am to share a meal and each others' company. After a fun social mixer, President Doralee Grindler Katonah will introduce the 2022-2023 Board and give a report […]
Celebrate the winter solstice with your sangha friends. After a 35 minute meditation and service, we will gather to entertain each other on this long winter night with instruments, song, favorite poetry new and old, stories and skits. Bring your creativity and share your hidden talents. *Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008.151977
Jizo is the beloved Great Bodhisattva found within many Buddhist traditions, who carries us across the threshold of death and loss and safely accompanies us through the ‘hell zones’ of deep suffering. Especially honored in Japan, Jizo (also known as ‘Earth Store’ or ‘Earth Womb’) brings to us the qualities of courage, fearlessness, and tenderness needed […]
Rev. So'on Jim Hare will lead a half-day sit in the morning with a special service at noon for the ceremonial washing of the Baby Buddha statue and the chanting of the Buddha's Birthday Eko in gratitude for Queen Maya's sacrifice. Buddha's birthday is celebrated in Japan on April 8th. In south and southeast Asia […]
Come, monk* The ceremony of Shukke Tokudo consists in receiving the precepts of the Bodhisattva and, by doing so, taking refuge in the three treasures: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. It is the ceremony for priest ordination. Preceptor Rev. Kyōshō Valorie Beer will convey the precepts to sangha member Clement Spring and will ordain him as a Soto Zen priest in […]