Valley Streams Zen Sangha

Study Group - (Canceled-on hiatus)
2022-06-16 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
The Study Group is taking a break before moving on to a more contemporary text— Waking Up To What You Do: A Zen Practice For Meeting Every Situation With Intelligence and Compassion by Diane Rizzetto.
Meetings will resume on Thursday, July 14th.

The Zen Study Group is now meeting at the Dharma Center AND online. The study group is facilitated by Rev. So’on Jim Hare, with readings from ancient and contemporary Mahayana Buddhist & Soto Zen texts and commentaries.
To join the Thursday morning study group, email the coordinator, Rollin Ives, twl4148@gmail.com

Dharma Talk by Rev. Eijun Linda Cutts (Hybrid)
2022-06-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
The Dharma Talk will be offered via Zoom by Rev. Eijun Linda Cutts, Senior Dharma Teacher at San Francisco Zen Center. Priest ordained in 1975, she has lived at Tassajara, SFZC City Center, and at Green Gulch Farm, where she has resided since 1993. She received Dharma transmission from Tenshin Reb Anderson in 1996, and served as Abbess from 2000-2019 (with a hiatus from 2007-2010). As Senior Dharma Teacher, she continues to teach, leading practice periods and retreats at Tassajara, Green Gulch, and elsewhere. She will lead the January 2023 Practice Period at Tassajara.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Dharma Talk by Rev. Mary Mocine (in person & online)
2022-06-06 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Joining us this evening is Reverend Mary Mocine, abbess of Clear Water Zendo in Vallejo. She was trained at San Francisco and Berkeley Zen Centers, and Tassajara Zen Monastery. She was ordained in 1994 by Sojun Mel Weitsman, former Abbot of San Francisco Zen Center and continuing Abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center. Reverend Mocine has also trained with Abbess Zenkei Blanche Hartman and former Abbots Zoketsu Norman Fischer and Tenshin Reb Anderson of the San Francisco Zen Center. She received dharma transmission from Sojun Mel Weitsman in May 2005.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Dharma Art Day: Zazen and SoulCollage® with Alexa Singer-Telles (in person)
2022-06-04 13:00 - 17:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Preparing a Sincere Offering to the Three Treasures: A Creative Exploration of Dogen’s Instructions for the Cook

Please join us for a day of mindful practice to explore Dogen’s teachings for cooking your life in a creative and experiential way. It is said that “bodhicitta is born of the smallest offering made with sincerity.” In our time together we will practice cultivating the mind of love by combining the ingredients of zazen, SoulCollage®, guided writing practice, collaboration, and ritual. Please bring your open heart, imagination and curiosity to see what unfolds in this transformational process. Our offerings will be honored in a closing ceremony.
The SoulCollage® process was developed by Seena B. Frost, M.Div. as a mixture of joyful art play and as a healing guide using the potentiality of images and symbols to access our own innate wisdom through journaling and sharing.
Alexa Singer-Telles, True Silent Action, is a dharmacharya (teacher) in the Plum Village tradition, receiving Lamp Transmission from Thich Nhat Hanh in 2014. She is the guiding teacher for several sanghas in California, Washington, Oregon and Calgary. She co-founded the River Oak Sangha in Redding, and led it for 30 years. She is a practicing psychotherapist, certified facilitator of SoulCollage® groups, and women’s spiritual ceremonialist. She recently founded the MotherRoot Sangha. Inspired by studying our Buddhist women ancestors, she aspires to be an old woman of no rank.
You don’t need artistic skill to attend this event, but you do need to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Mask wearing is optional and will be supported.
Register on Eventbrite.com Event Flyer

CLOSED for Memorial Day Holiday
2022-05-30 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States

Dharma Talk by So'on Jim Hare (in person & online)
2022-05-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
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 Rev. Myo Lahey in 2016. Jim will offer his talk in the Meditation Hall.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Dharma Talk by Paravrtti Doralee Grindler Katonah (in person & online)
2022-05-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Paravrtti Doralee Grindler Katonah serves as Ino, or head of the meditation hall. She studied in the Soto Zen lineage with Sojun Diane Martin in Illinois and with Rev. Val Szymanski in California. She was priest ordained in 2019 by Sojun Diane Martin. She will offer her talk in the Meditation Hall.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Dharma Talk by Danan John Wark (in person & online)
2022-05-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Danan John Wark, abbot of Cloud Zendo in Pilot Hill, practices koan introspection and has received inka from Zen Master BoMun (George Bowman) in the Single Flower Sangha tradition. Master BoMun is associated with the Kwan Um School of Zen and also with Boundless Way Zen. John has also studied koans with Tenshin Reb Anderson at No Abode Hermitage. Cloud Zendo offers sutra service and zazen every Saturday morning at 8:30 in Auburn at Sierra Foothills Unitarian Universalist Church, 190 Finley St., Auburn, CA 95603.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Practice Secretly, Working Within: Half-day Sitting (In Person)
2022-05-07 08:30 - 12:30 | Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
To practice secretly is to practice within; it is getting close to and friendly with everything we experience.

In stillness and silence, we will spend the morning together, practicing zazen and walking meditation. This retreat is suitable for those with some familiarity with Zen practice and forms. Masking is optional, but everyone who attends must be vaccinated against Covid-19.

We will enjoy a social lunch after the sitting – please bring your own.
If you have questions, please contact us at info@valleystreamszen.org.
Register at Eventbrite.com

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey (in-person and online)
2022-05-02 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
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. Tonight’s talk will be online from Hartford Street Zen Center.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Buddha's Birthday Celebration & Family Picnic (in person)
2022-05-01 10:30 - 14:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Join the sangha and their families at the Dharma Center for a celebration of Shakyamuni Buddha’s birth and to honor his mother, Queen Maya, who died shortly after his birth. We will ceremoniously bathe the baby Buddha; then have a dramatic reading of Norman Fischer’s Buddha’s Birthday poem.
• Bring a picnic lunch and drinks for your family. Cupcakes will be provided for dessert.
• 10:30 am – 2:00 pm
• REGISTER on EVENTBRITE.COM (If you registered before the date/location change, you do not need to register again.)

Dharma Talk by Diane Wilde (in-person and online)
2022-04-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
DIANE WILDE has studied meditation in various traditions since 1990. In 2001 she was a founding member of Sacramento Insight Meditation. She founded Buddhist Pathways Prison Project (aka Boundless Freedom Project) in 2010 and has been a prison chaplain for 18 years. She is a graduate of Sati Center’s Buddhist Chaplaincy program and graduated from Spirit Rock Meditation Center’s Community Dharma Leadership Training Program. She is a board member of Sati Center for Buddhist Studies at the Sacramento Dharma Center. In 2015 she was lay-ordained as a Buddhist minister by Gil Fronsdal.
*Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Full Moon Ceremony (in-person and online)
2022-04-18 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
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.

Our Monday night programs begin with zazen (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.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

POSTPONED to May 1 - Buddha's Birthday Celebration
2022-04-16 10:30 - 14:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
This event has been moved to Sunday, May 1 at the Dharma Center.

Dharma Talk by Hoka Soko Chris Fortin (in-person and online)
2022-04-11 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
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 path of wholehearted living and awakening with others. She leads the Dharma Heart Zen Sangha in Cotati and the Woman’s Lotus Sangha in Sebastopol. She is a senior teacher in the Everyday Zen community and leads workshops at SFZC. She is guiding teacher of Sky Island Zen in Tucson, Arizona and leads retreats in ancient Aravaipa Canyon. She was the co- founder of Veterans PATH (formerly Honoring the Path of the Warrior), offering retreats and meditation and mindfulness practices for returning veterans. She offers Jizo Bodhisattva trainings and ceremonies for those who have lost children, loved ones and those who are grieving the pain and suffering of the world. Chris is actively engaged in the dharma of social and racial justice and the climate crisis. She co-leads a monthly Racial Literacy and Dharma Group and serves on the Soto Zen Buddhist Association’s Diversity Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility (DEIA) Committee.

*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Introduction to Zen Meditation (In-person)
2022-04-11 18:00 - 18:40 | Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
On the second Monday of each month, we offer a 40-minute introduction to Zen practice. We focus on the art of sitting meditation, with emphasis on posture, breath and mental focus. This is for new meditators and those wishing to refresh their practice of meditative immersion.
* Meets in the Library at the Sacramento Dharma Center.
Sign up for Weekly Emails to receive current program information.

Dharma Talk & Reflection by Paravrtti Doralee Grindler Katonah (in person & online)
2022-04-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
In the Eihei Koroku, Dogen says, “When you build a pond naturally the moon will come.”
Come to our Practice Circle on The Precious Jewel of Sangha Life.

Paravrtti Doralee Grindler Katonah serves as Ino, or head of the meditation hall. She studied in the Soto Zen lineage with Sojun Diane Martin in Illinois and Rev. Val Szymanski in California. She was priest ordained in 2019 by Sojun Diane Martin.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Sitting in the Midst of Self-fulfilling Samadhi: One-Day Sitting (in person)
2022-04-02 09:00 - 17:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Join with others in person for a day of sitting and walking meditation and Dharma talk, making the effort that refreshes both body and mind, becoming a shining golden buddha! The sitting will be led by So On Jim Hare.
Please bring a lunch to support your efforts on the cushion, bench or chair. For questions, please email Jim Hare at info@valleystreamszen.com.
REGISTER on EVENTBRITE.com

Dharma talk by Rev. Kokyo Henkel (online)
2022-03-28 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Rev. Kokyo Henkel has been practicing Zen since 1990 in residence at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (most recently as Head of Practice), Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, No Abode Hermitage in Mill Valley, and Bukkokuji Monastery in Japan.
He was ordained as a priest in 1994 by Tenshin Anderson Roshi and received Dharma Transmission from him in 2010. Kokyo is interested in exploring how the original teachings of Buddha-Dharma from ancient India, China, and Japan can still be very much alive and useful in present-day America to bring peace and openness to the minds of this troubled world.
Kokyo has also been practicing with the Tibetan Dzogchen (“Great Completeness”) Teacher Tsoknyi Rinpoche since 2003, in California, Colorado, and Kathmandu.
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*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Dharma Talk by So'on Jim Hare (in-person and online)
2022-03-21 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
This will be will be a short Dharma talk and small group discussion exploring Suzuki roshi’s saying:
“even if the sun were to rise from the west, the Bodhisattva only has one way.”
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 Rev. Myo Lahey in 2016.

This evening’s chant: Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Dharma Talk by So'on Jim Hare (in-person and online)
2022-03-14 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
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 Rev. Myo Lahey in 2016.

We will discuss the topic: “A Buddhist response to war.” War is an assault on all that we hold dear as people of the Way. How do we meet the feelings of helplessness and hopeless that arise when we see great suffering willfully inflicted on a peaceful nation? And how do we respond?
Dana collected this evening will be sent to the United Nations Human Rights Commission to aid their work with refugees.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Introduction to Zen Meditation (in-person)
2022-03-14 18:00 - 18:40 | Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
On the second Monday of each month, we offer a 40-minute introduction to Zen practice. We focus on the art of sitting meditation, with emphasis on posture, breath and mental focus. This is for new meditators and those wishing to refresh their practice of meditative immersion.
• Meets in the Library at the Sacramento Dharma Center.
Sign up for Weekly Emails to receive current program information.

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey (in-person and online)
2022-03-07 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States

Stilling the Waves of the Mind: A Half-Day Sitting led by So'on Jim Hare
2022-03-05 08:30 - 12:30 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
“It appears as if something comes from outside your mind, but actually it is only the waves of your mind” ~Shunryu Suzuki, Roshi

This sitting will include a schedule of sitting and walking meditation and a short Dharma talk.
Please be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend this sitting in person. We will have a social lunch following the sitting. Please bring your own lunch..
Register on Eventbrite.com

Retreat Night (in-person and online)
2022-02-28 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
On Retreat Night we offer an opportunity to settle into your meditation practice with two or three 25-minute periods of zazen, interspersed with walking meditation (called kinhin). Turning the light inward we explore the causes of suffering and what can end it. This invitation is extended to everyone.
*Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Dharma Talk by So'on Jim Hare (in person & online)
2022-02-21 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
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 Rev. Myo Lahey in 2016.

*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Study Group (Hybrid)
2022-02-17 08:00 - 09:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
The Zen Study Group meets at the Dharma Center AND on Zoom. The study group is facilitated by Rev. So’on Jim Hare, with readings from ancient and contemporary Mahayana Buddhist & Soto Zen texts and commentaries.
To join the Thursday morning study group, email the coordinator, Rollin Ives, twl4148@gmail.com

Morning Zazen & Service (Hybrid)
2022-02-17 06:00 - 07:30 | Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Please join us for early morning silent meditation each Thursday before Study Group meeting. Contact Rollin Ives at twl4148@gmail.com for Zoom login and program information.
Schedule:
5:45-Zoom room opens
6:00-Zazen
6:30-Walking Meditation
6:40-Zazen
7:10-Service
•Download SFZC Chants in PDF.
To offer dana to support Valley Streams’ programs and space rental, click here.

Dharma Talk by Paravrtti Doralee Grindler Katonah (in-person and online)
2022-02-14 19:00 - 21:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Paravrtti Doralee Grindler Katonah serves as Ino, or head of the meditation hall, and president of our Board of Directors. She studied in the Soto Zen lineage with Sojun Diane Martin in Illinois and Rev. Val Szymanski in California. She was priest ordained in 2019 by Sojun Diane Martin.
*Zoom link for this program: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977

Introduction to Zen Meditation (online)
2022-02-14 18:00 - 18:40 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
On the second Monday of each month, we offer a 40-minute introduction to Zen practice. We focus on the art of sitting meditation, with emphasis on posture, breath and mental focus. This is for new meditators and those wishing to refresh their practice of meditative immersion.
Meets in the Library at the Sacramento Dharma Center.
Sign up for Weekly Emails to receive current program information.
