Valley Streams Zen Sangha

Dharma Talk by Alan Block
2019-11-18 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
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 evenings in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland.

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 of Buddha’s teaching and the practice of meditation. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.

Dharma Talk by Rev. So-On Jim Hare (Fall Study Period ends)
2019-11-11 19:00 - 21:00
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 in 2016.
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 of Buddha’s teaching and the practice of meditation. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.

Sacramento Dharma Center's Third Anniversary Party
2019-11-09 13:00 - 16:00
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.

Celebration of Doralee Grindler Katonah's Priest Ordination
2019-11-04 19:00 - 21:00
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 time of priest training Rev. Val Szymanski, Guiding Teacher at Bamboo in the Wind Zen Sangha in Sunnyvale, CA. has been her second teacher, here in California. Rev. Val received transmission from Roshi Diane Martin in 2010. In addition, Cornelia Junfu Shonkwiler, Head Teacher at Middle Way Zen in San Jose, Ca., was Doralee’s sewing teacher.
Rev. Val with the assistance of Practice Leader Jim Hare will conduct this welcoming of priesthood ceremony at the Sacramento Dharma Center.
All are invited to share in this auspicious event and enjoy tea and treats after the ceremony.

Sangha Annual Meeting & Potluck Brunch
2019-11-03 10:00 - 13:00
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 utensils will be provided.

Half-day Sitting, led by So On Jim Hare
2019-11-02 09:00 - 13:00
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 916-456-7752 so you can learn more about the day. $20

Registration TBA – or sign up on a Monday evening.

Sejiki Ceremony
2019-10-28 19:00 - 21:00
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 one who has died during the past year, recited in the ceremony, please send the full name of that person (and pronunciation) to info@valleystreamszen.org.
All are welcome.

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey
2019-10-21 19:00 - 21:00
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. Rev. Myo is available for individual practice discussion by appointment prior to our evening program at the Dharma Center.

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 of Buddha’s teaching and the practice of meditation. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.

Imagination & the Bodhisattva Path: a Day-long Retreat with Zoketsu Norman Fischer
2019-10-20 10:00 - 16:30
The full title of this retreat is “The World Could Be Otherwise: Imagination and the Bodhisattva Path.” Norman will lead us in sitting and walking meditation, and speak on themes from his new book, The World Could Be Otherwise, Through the Buddhist teaching of the six paramitas or “perfections”, this book demonstrates an imaginative approach to spiritual practice in difficult times, leading to kindness, wisdom, and a more awakened life. Copies will be available for purchase at the event.
Norman Fischer is a poet, essayist, and a Zen Buddhist priest who teaches in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. In 2000, he retired as co-abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center to found Everyday Zen Foundation, an organization dedicated to adapting Zen Buddhist teachings to Western culture.
This retreat is sponsored by SBMG (Sacramento Buddhist Meditation Group)
Register on Eventbrite.com

Dharma Talk by Rev. So-On Jim Hare
2019-10-14 19:00 - 21:00
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 in 2016.
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 of Buddha’s teaching and the practice of meditation. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.

Thangka Paintings - History, Construction & Symbols
2019-10-12 08:30 - 13:00
Gus Koehler will offer a half-day course on the study of Buddhist Thangkas, and how to use them to support practice. Gus will decode the symbols and meanings of the Buddha Shakyamuni, Manjusri, and White Tara paintings which hang in our meditation hall. The Wheel of Time image will also be examined.
Gus has studied with various teachers including: Paramahansa Muktananda, Sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, Ajit Mukerji, Sogyal Rinpoche, His Holiness the Dali Lama, Lama Lodo, Lama Surya Das, Anam Thubten, Lama Dawa and Dzogchen Lama Drimed.

Practice Circle - Fall Study Period begins
2019-10-07 19:00 - 21:00
Study period reading is The Record of Transmitting the Light: Zen Master Keizan’s Denkoroku, translated by Francis D. Cook, Wisdom Publications, 1996.
Online at SOTOZEN-NET. (different translation)

Buddha Activity: a Two-day Teaching Retreat with Tenshin Reb Anderson
2019-10-05 09:00 - 17:00
Tenshin Reb Anderson will lead this 2-day retreat. His theme is: “An old time buddha said, ‘earth, grass, trees, all living beings are engaged in buddha activity.’ Buddha activity is the unceasing process of freeing all beings so they may live in peace and harmony. The buddha ancestors called this buddha activity zazen. In this retreat we will study, practice and realize this great activity.”
Reb Anderson was ordained as a priest in 1970 by Shunryu Suzuki roshi, who gave him the name Tenshin Zenki (“Naturally Real, The Whole Works”). He received dharma transmission in 1983 and served as abbot of San Francisco Zen Center from 1986 to 1995. Tenshin Roshi continues to teach at Zen Center and No Abode Hermitage, and leads retreats across the U.S. and in Europe.
Register on Eventbrite.com or at a sangha meeting.

A separate teaching donation will be requested at the retreat.
A vegan box lunch is available for people who register by September 30th. Please purchase the $12 meal ticket in addition to your registration or bring your own lunch.
If the registration cost is beyond your means, please email info@valleystreamszen.org to request a reduced rate or scholarship.
Saturday-only registration is available for those unable to attend the full retreat.

Practice Circle - Topic TBA
2019-09-30 19:00 - 21:00
The Three Treasures are the foundation of the Practice Circle: (1) the Oneness of Buddha, (2) the Diversity of Dharma, (3) the Harmony of Sangha. The circle itself is a container for being in the present, manifesting just as we are in the truth of the moment.
Our Practice Circle Guidelines: (adapted from the Zen Center of Los Angeles)
When speaking, we practice speaking from integrity and speak the truth as we know it. We stay focused on our own experience as opposed to taking about others or talking abstractly.
In listening, we try not to interrupt, even with our thoughts. We practice receiving whatever is being offered by another without attachments or judgements.
In silence, we allow all things to arise and pass away, accepting and honoring different expressions and perspectives. We sit with our discomfort.

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey
2019-09-23 19:00 - 21:00
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. Rev. Myo is available for individual practice discussion by appointment prior to our evening program at the Dharma Center.

Nature walk: Bats of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area
2019-09-19 17:15 - 20:30
Join us at Yolo Basin Wildlife Headquarters for this special event of seeing and learning about the Mexican Free-tailed Bats. Following a 45-minute indoor presentation on bat natural history, the group will carpool to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area to watch one of the largest colonies of bats in California as it emerges in large ribbons to hunt insects at sunset. To get to the bat viewing site, we will travel through leased rice farming fields to an area not open to the public. The whole experience takes about three hours. This is a family friendly event with a small amount of walking.
Directions from Sacramento: From interstate 80 West take the Mace Boulevard Exit in Davis. Turn left at the off-ramp light. Turn left at the next light at the Mace Boulevard and Chiles Road intersection. Once on Chiles Road east of the Mace intersection, travel approximately 1.5 mileseast to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area headquarters, 45211 County Road 32B (Chiles Road).
Want to Carpool? Meet at the Sacramento Dharma Center at 4:30 p.m. (3111 Wissemann Dr., Sacramento) Consider parking on the street as this is a SIM practice evening.
**Sign up at a sangha meeting or email info@valleystreamszen.org to let us know how many people you will bring.

Full Moon Ceremony
2019-09-16 19:00 - 21:00
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.

Dharma Talk by Rev. Amie Diller
2019-09-09 19:00 - 21:00
Sensei Chiko Amie Diller practiced at San Francisco Zen Center before being priest ordained by Maurine Stuart, Roshi. In 2019 she received dharma transmission from Sokaku Kathie Fischer. Her Buddhist training has also included study and teaching in the Tibetan Gelupa tradition. She is a certified nurse-midwife, mother, and teacher of ‘Cultivating Emotional Balance’.

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 of Buddha’s teaching and the practice of meditation. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.

Zazenkai Half-day Sitting
2019-09-07 08:30 - 12:30
Zazenkai means “to come together for meditation.” As such, it is a short retreat, with the periods marked by the usual bells and interspersed with walking meditation, but with no Dharma talk or instruction. It is a time to come together and enjoy sitting and walking with one’s Dharma friends. It is a time for uninterrupted practice. Everyone is welcome .

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 916-456-7752 so you can learn more about the day. $20 or scholarship.

Register on Eventbrite.com – or sign up on a Monday evening.

CLOSED for Labor Day Holiday
2019-09-02 19:00 - 21:00

Dharma Talk by Rev. So-On Jim Hare
2019-08-26 19:00 - 21:00

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey
2019-08-19 19:00 - 21:00
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. Rev. Myo is available for individual practice discussion by appointment prior to our evening program.

Sewing Buddha's Robe, with Doralee Grindler Katonah
2019-08-12 19:00 - 21:00
After zazen & a short service, we will have an opportunity to add some stitches to Doralee’s bowing cloth, which she has been sewing as part of her preparation for taking priest ordination vows. All are welcome to learn about this process and help support Doralee along her path.

Practice Talk by Doralee Grindler Katonah
2019-08-05 19:00 - 21:00
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 of Buddha’s teaching and the practice of meditation. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.

One-day sitting led by Rev. So-On Jim Hare
2019-08-03 09:00 - 16:30
Upright sitting-Zen is a gesture of healing, a gesture of compassion, a gesture of self-respect. From the vista point of this practice we can see things clearly, as they are, stripped of emotional overlays and intellectual interpretations. Such seeing can be called Buddha’s wisdom.
Our Tanto (Practice Leader), So On Jim Hare, will lead this one-day of sitting and walking meditation. There will be a Dharma talk and silent bag lunch.

Please bring a bag lunch.
If this is your first time practicing with us or your first one-day sitting, please call Jim at 916-456-7752 or email info@valleystreamszen.org
Registration on Eventbrite.com – or sign up on a Monday evening. $20 or inquire about scholarship.
Our one-day and half-day sittings are held on the first Saturday of every month.

Practice Talk by Bruce and Barbara Baccei
2019-07-29 19:00 - 21:00

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey
2019-07-22 19:00 - 21:00
Our guiding teacher from Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco.

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 of Buddha’s teaching and the practice of meditation. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.

Study Group
2019-07-18 08:00 - 09:00
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.
Meet in the Board Room

Dharma Talk by Rev. So-On Jim Hare
2019-07-15 19:00 - 21:00

Study Group - CANCELLED
2019-07-11 08:00 - 09:00
This week’s meeting is cancelled due to other activities. Please join us next 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.
