Valley Streams Zen Sangha

Practice Talk by Oscar Balaguer
2017-04-24 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, 95826, United States
Oscar was lay ordained by Tenshin Reb Anderson.

Dharma Talk by Rev. Edward Espe Brown
2017-04-17 19:00 - 20:45
Edward Espe Brown is a Soto Zen Buddhist teacher as well as a chef, photographer and author of several books. He was ordained in 1971 by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, who gave him the Dharma name Jusan Kainei , “Longevity Mountain, Peaceful Sea.” He leads sitting groups and meditation retreats in Northern California and internationally.

Introduction to Zen Meditation
2017-04-10 18:00 - 18:40
For those who are new to Zen meditation, we offer this 40-minute introduction to our forms of practice on the second Monday every month.

Buddha's Birthday Sitting and Ceremony
2017-04-10 19:00 - 20:45

Dharma Talk by So On Jim Hare
2017-04-03 19:00 - 20:45

Morning Zazen
2017-03-30 06:00 - 07:30
Every Thursday we offer two early morning sittings (6-6:30 & 6:40-7:10) followed by a brief service (7:10-7:20). Following service, you are invited to share a cup of tea or coffee before continuing with the rest of your day. Early morning zazen is the practice of Zen students everywhere. Before engaging in life’s busy activity, we relax and wake up on the cushion. Come for all or part of the schedule.
6:00 Zazen
6:30 Kinhin (walking meditation)
6:40 Zazen
7:10 Service
7:20 Tea, Coffee & Conversation

Panel Discussion
2017-03-27 19:00 - 20:45
On our winter theme: What we have learned about how we are conditioned to separate ourselves.

Morning Zazen
2017-03-23 06:00 - 07:30, 2017-03-16 06:00 - 07:30, 2017-03-09 06:00 - 07:30, 2017-03-02 06:00 - 07:30, 2017-02-23 06:00 - 07:30, 2017-02-16 06:00 - 07:30, 2017-02-09 06:00 - 07:30, 2017-02-02 06:00 - 07:30 and 1 more date
Everyone is welcome to come at 6:00 or 6:40 for morning meditation.
6:00 Zazen6:30 Kinin (walking meditation)6:40 Zazen7:10 Service7:20 Informal Tea

VSZS Board Meeting
2017-03-22 19:00 - 21:00
If you would like to attend the meeting, please email info@valleystreamszen.org

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey
2017-03-20 19:00 - 21:00, 2017-02-27 19:00 - 20:45, 2017-01-30 19:00 - 20:45
We welcome our guiding teacher from Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco.

Practice Talk by Linda Dekker
2017-03-13 19:00 - 20:45
KyoJi Linda Dekker serves as Ino, or head of the meditation hall. She served on the first Valley Streams Board of Directors. Linda was lay ordained by Tenshin Reb Anderson in 2001 and lived at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center 2003 – 2004. She is currently on the board of the Sacramento Dharma Center and is its Office Manager.

Introduction to Zen Meditation
2017-03-13 18:00 - 18:40, 2017-02-13 18:00 - 18:40
For those who are new to Zen meditation, we offer this 40-minute introduction on the second Monday every month.

(Recorded) Dharma Talk by Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel
2017-03-06 19:00 - 20:45
Since Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel is not able to be with us, we will listen to a recorded dharma talk by her. As an author and ordained Soto Zen Buddhist priest, she combines Zen meditation, intuitive knowing, and indigenous wisdom in a path of liberation. Download the first chapters of her book: The Way of Tenderness. (6 MB)

One-day Sitting
2017-03-04 09:00 - 17:00
We sometimes call zazen “choiceless awareness.” This means that in zazen we don’t attempt to regulate what comes into awareness; we just let what arises arise. We let our feelings be our feelings and our thoughts be our thoughts. Not making any choices about what comes into awareness, we also don’t manipulate our breath, we don’t exercise our will. We let nature take over, and we let the body breathe.
This will be a day devoted to choiceless awareness, while sitting, walking, chanting and eating lunch. There will be an afternoon Dharma talk by Valley Streams practice leader So On Jim Hare; otherwise our day will be in silence. You are most welcome and invited to join in. Please bring a bag lunch. Register here.

Presidents' Day Program led by Doralee Grindler Katonah
2017-02-20 19:00 - 20:45
Doralee will introduce Dogen Zenji’s text “Raihai Tokuzui: Bowing and Acquiring the Essence” from the Shobogenzo. (translated by Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi and Yasuda Joshu Dainen roshi.)

Presentation by Hozan Alan Senauke
2017-02-13 19:00 - 20:45
Hozan Alan Senauke, Vice Abbot of Berkeley Zen Center, will guide us through a presentation and discussion as we work with our Diversity Statement. Hozan was ordained at Berkeley Zen Center in 1989 and received Dharma Transmission from Sojun Roshi in 1998. He brings a global perspective on socially-engaged Buddhism and Zen as a force for positive change. Since 1991 Hozan has been a leader at Buddhist Peace Fellowship. He founded the Clear View Project, bringing Buddhist-based resources for relief and social change where they are needed around the world.

Practice Talks by Doralee and Oscar
2017-02-06 19:00 - 20:45
Tonight we get a 2 for 1: Doralee Grindler Katonah and Oscar Balaguer will share experiences they had during the recent 3-week winter intensive practice period at Green Gulch Farm, led by Senior Dharma teacher Reb Anderson.

Half-day Sitting
2017-02-04 09:00 - 13:00
This gentle half-day sitting will include informal tea, discussion and a short work period. Everyone is welcome.
*NOTE – our one-day and half-day sittings are held on the first Saturday every month.

Sacramento Dharma Center Grand Opening
2017-01-29 13:00 - 15:30
SDC’s community-wide Grand Opening – bring friends, bring family, bring neighbors!
