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 […]
A half-day schedule of sitting and walking meditation, offered along with a Dharma talk by So-On Jim Hare. Please bring a bag lunch if you would like to join us for a social lunch after the formal program. If this is your first time practicing with us or your first half-day sitting, please call Jim at […]
This is a once-a-year opportunity to meet your sangha friends, new board members and get the news about Valley Streams Zen Sangha. All members, along with their family & friends are warmly invited to attend. Please let us know by email or in person, what food offering, and how many people you will bring. Drinks and […]
After zazen, we will celebrate Doralee Grindler Katonah's recent priest ordination with her root teacher, Sojun Diane Martin, with whom she has studied for the past 18 years. Doralee's ordination into the Soto Zen lineages of Shunryu Suzuki and Dainin Katagiri, took place on October 19th at Indian Creek Zen Farm near Ottawa, Illinois. During her […]
You are invited to celebrate what your generous time, effort and financial support has manifested as we mark another year together in our beautiful Dharma Center building. Bring your family and friends! More details at SDC website. If you would like to be on the volunteer committee for the party contact Linda Dekker at zendekker@gmail.com.
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 […]
Alan Block, Onzan Shinsho, is entrusted as a teacher of Zen Buddhism by Zoketsu Norman Fischer in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki of the San Francisco Zen Center. He worked in construction for 30 years and previously taught college level history. He leads an Everyday Zen Oakland sitting group called "meditation and a buddhist approach to life" on Tuesday […]
Study is one of the pillars of Zen practice. Please join us every Thursday morning for our ongoing study group to discuss ancient and contemporary texts. Facilitated by Rev. So-On Jim Hare. Readings from Mahayana Buddhism & Soto Zen texts and commentaries. Contact Rollin Ives (twl4148@gmail.com) for current readings.
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 […]
We will resume on December 5. Study is one of the pillars of Zen practice. Please join us every Thursday morning for our ongoing study group to discuss ancient and contemporary texts. Facilitated by Rev. So-On Jim Hare. Readings from Mahayana Buddhism & Soto Zen texts and commentaries. Contact Rollin Ives (twl4148@gmail.com) for current readings.
Discussion of a case from the Denkoroku: Record of the Transmission of the Light, led by Rev. So-On Jim Hare. 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 […]
“…when we practice zazen, it is not that big mind is actually controlling small mind, but simply that when small mind becomes calm, big mind starts its true activity.” ~Suzuki Roshi For the third year, Valley Streams Zen is offering a two-and-a half day non-residential sesshin. This is an opportunity to set aside daily concerns, […]