Valley Streams Zen Sangha

Practice Circle - Topic TBA
2019-09-30 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
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
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.

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.

Morning Zazen - CANCELLED
2019-07-11 06:00 - 07:30
Please join us next week.
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

Tea & Conversation led by Linda Dekker
2019-07-08 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.Mon

Half-day Sitting - CANCELLED
2019-07-06 09:00 - 13:00
Our usual half-day sitting is cancelled due to conflicting events and July 4th holiday.

Study Group
2019-07-04 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.
Reading Mahayana Buddhism & Soto Zen texts and commentaries
Contact Rollin Ives (twl4148@gmail.com) for current text details.

Morning Zazen
2019-07-04 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

Way-Seeking Mind Talk by Berry Crawford
2019-07-01 19:00 - 21:00

SDC Volunteer Work Day
2019-06-30 09:00 - 12:00
On the last Sunday of every month volunteers are invited to help with outdoor maintenance, indoor cleaning, and other tasks around the Sacramento Dharma Center. It is a great way to show your gratitude, with the added benefit of making new friends!

Sacramento Dharma Center Work Day

Reading & Discussion Circle, led by Rev. So'on Jim Hare
2019-06-24 19:00 - 21:00
Reading “A Field Far Beyond Form & Emptiness”, by Tenshin Reb Anderson. (in Warm Smiles from Cold Mountains, SFZC, 1995)

Full Moon Ceremony
2019-06-17 19:00 - 21:00
This ceremony reminds us that enlightenment is enacted with Bodhisattva precepts, which are recited in a call and response format during the ceremony. We enter the ceremony following two periods of zazen interspersed with walking meditation. Whole-heartedly we celebrate the whole moon. Everyone is invited to participate.

SDC Yard Sale - Volunteers needed!
2019-06-15 09:00 - 14:00
Clean out your closets and garage – then donate your lightly used items to the
Dharma Center Yard Sale.
Email Linda Dekker to volunteer and to arrange for dropping off donations at the Dharma Center. zendekker@gmail.com

Zen Poetry Night, led by Linda Dekker
2019-06-10 19:00 - 21:00
Sangha member, Linda Dekker, will lead us in an evening of reading and writing poetry.

Jukai Ceremony
2019-06-09 14:00 - 16:00

Dharma Talk by Rev. So On Jim Hare
2019-06-03 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.
