"A monk goes to the forest, to the foot of a tree, or to an empty room, sits down cross-legged in the lotus position , holds the body straight, and establishes mindfulness in front of him/her." ~The Satipatthana Sutra. The schedule for this retreat will include sitting and walking meditation, and a short Dharma talk […]
Tonight's talk, "Uses of the Heart Sutra" is Part 1 of 2. The second talk will be given next Monday, Sept. 21. So-On Jim Hare serves as 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 […]
Join us tonight for Part 2 of "Uses of the Heart Sutra", given by So-On Jim Hare. So-On Jim Hare serves as 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 […]
Rev. Myo Lahey, Abbot of Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco and our guiding teacher, will offer the Dharma talk this evening. Myo has previously served as head of practice (Tanto) at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. He is a Dharma heir of Tenshin Reb Anderson. Raised in an observant Roman Catholic home, Myo was […]
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 […]
After these many months of sitting at home, we have an opportunity to practice together, sitting outside, socially distanced. (Air quality and weather permitting!) This will be a "zazenkai" sitting, meaning a schedule of silent sitting and walking meditation, with no dharma talk. Everyone will be masked and at least 6 feet apart. Registration is […]
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 […]
This evening we welcome guest teacher, Chris Fortin, a Soto Zen teacher who began practicing Buddhism in 1976 while living at the San Francisco Zen Center. After many years of practice she received Dharma Transmission from Zoketsu Norman Fischer of Everyday Zen, in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. Chris founded Dharma Heart Zen to share the […]
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 […]
During this time of separation, please join us online for our ongoing study of ancient and contemporary texts. The study group is facilitated by Rev. So-On Jim Hare, with readings from Mahayana Buddhism & Soto Zen texts and commentaries. The group is currently reading The Mountains and Waters Sutra: a Practitioner's Guide to Dogen's Sansuikyo by Shohaku Okumura. […]
Hozan Alan Senauke is a Soto Zen priest, folk musician and poet residing at the Berkeley Zen Center (BZC) in Berkeley, California, where he currently serves as Vice Abbot. Hozan was ordained and received Dharma Transmission from Sojun Roshi in 1998. As a former Executive Director of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship (BPF), he brings a global perspective […]
Resting the mind in the midst of the habitual activity of thought is the ultimate form of relaxation. This will be a online sitting with a schedule of sitting and walking meditation and a short Dharma talk by Valley Streams Zen practice leader, Jim Hare. The schedule will include the option to begin sitting early, […]