Calendar

Half-day Sitting – “Throughout the body, hands and eyes.”

Sitting zazen is extending an invitation to great compassion.  Not doing anything, yet compassion arises spontaneously, "like reaching back for a pillow at night," according to one Zen story.  On Saturday March 3rd, we'll send invitations all morning, still and silent on our cushions, and moving in walking meditation. Our morning will include a short […]

Discussion: Jiaoan’s Sand in the Eye

Linda Dekker and Karen Hamilton will facilitate Koan Study. This will be an opportunity to get a taste of what we do in the Women Ancestors group which meets every third Thursday at 9 am. The Koan we will look at is Jiaoan's Sand in the Eye, pp. 90-92 of The Hidden Lamp: Stories from Twenty-five […]

Dharma Talk by Edward Espe Brown

Edward Espe Brown is a well-known Soto Zen Buddhist teacher, author, and chef. 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. BONUS: Please join us for a potluck supper with Rev. […]

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey

Rev. Myō Lahey is Abbot at Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco , as well as Guiding Teacher at Valley Streams Zen Sangha. He has previously served as Practice Leader at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center.  A Dharma heir of Tenshin Reb Anderson, Myō is a sometime board member of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association of North America (SZBA) and also serves […]

Retreat Night

Retreat night consists of three 25-minute sitting periods with walking meditation in between.  All are welcome.

“Expressing Our Gratitude”

Presented by So On Jim Hare and Doralee Grindler Katonah. Monday night programs usually begin with zazen (sitting meditation), followed by a short devotional service, dharma talk, group discussion, or practice circle. There are no membership requirements to participate. We invite donations to support the room rental, visits by teachers, and other sangha activities.  Valley […]

Buddha’s Birthday Sitting and Ceremony

Tonight we celebrate the birth of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni with a special ceremony. Our Monday night programs usually begin with zazen (sitting meditation), followed by a short devotional service, dharma talk, group discussion, or practice circle. There are no membership requirements to participate. We invite donations to support the room rental, visits by teachers, […]

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey

Rev. Myo Lahey is Abbot at Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco, as well as Guiding Teacher at Valley Streams Zen Sangha. 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. Our Monday night programs always […]

Introduction to Yogacara (1st of 3 lectures)

Yogacara and Madhyamaka are two schools of Indian Buddhism closely associated with the rise of Mahayana Buddhism in the centuries following the life of the Buddha.  These schools were active during the period that Buddhism entered China (1st century or before), making them influential in the development of Chinese Buddhism and Zen.  Madhyamaka translates as […]

Introduction to Yogacara (2nd of 3 lectures)

Yogacara and Madhyamaka are two schools of Indian Buddhism closely associated with the rise of Mahayana Buddhism in the centuries following the life of the Buddha.  These schools were active during the period that Buddhism entered China (1st century or before), making them influential in the development of Chinese Buddhism and Zen.  Madhyamaka translates as […]