Kokai Shalamah Yahchove is a Soto Zen priest in the Suzuki Roshi lineage. She was lay-ordained in 2019 and became a priest in August 2025, with both ceremonies conducted by her Root Teacher, Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, at the Berkeley Zen Center. Kokai has practiced with the Still Breathing Sangha and at the Tassajara Zen Mountain […]
Join us for two periods of zazen (seated meditation) and kinhin (walking meditation), or just the first or second second meditation periods, as your schedule allows. 6:00 am – Zazen (sitting meditation) 6:30 am – Kinhin (walking meditation) 6:40 am – Zazen 7:10 am – Morning Service Please arrive a few minutes before the beginning […]
The Zen Study Group meets at the Sacramento 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
Rev. Myō Lahey is Abbot at Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco and Valley Streams' guiding teacher. He previously served as the monastic Prior (Tantō) at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. Rev. Lahey is a Dharma heir of Tenshin Reb Anderson. Raised in an observant Roman Catholic home, Myō was drawn to religion and spirituality at […]
Join us for two periods of zazen (seated meditation) and kinhin (walking meditation), or just the first or second second meditation periods, as your schedule allows. 6:00 am – Zazen (sitting meditation) 6:30 am – Kinhin (walking meditation) 6:40 am – Zazen 7:10 am – Morning Service Please arrive a few minutes before the beginning […]
The Zen Study Group meets at the Sacramento 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
As an expression of our deeply felt gratitude for the Sangha and the myriad ways its members support us and each other, the Valley Streams Board will offer dinner to all those who can join us on Monday, November 24. Dinner will be provided by the board. What better way to enjoy Thanksgiving week than […]
Thursday morning zazen and Study Group will not be meeting today. We will gather again next week.
During Rohatsu sesshin we celebrate Shakyamuni Buddha's enlightment by dedicating ourselves to zazen practice. As the darkest days of the year approach, we sit together with the principle of awakening, fully opening to the 'wisdom beyond wisdom' that becomes bright in sitting meditation. This year's Rohatsu will be co-led by So'on Jim Hare and Paravritti […]
Morning Rohatsu schedule for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – ONLINE 6:00 am Zazen 6:30 am Kinhin 6:40 am Zazen 7:10 am Service (VSZS Sutras and Texts) This traditional week of intensified practice celebrates the enlightenment of our original teacher in India, Shakyamuni Buddha. Rohatsu sesshin is a time for bringing light into the dark time of […]
Rev. 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, and was priest ordained by Rev. Myo Lahey […]
Morning Rohatsu schedule for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – ONLINE 6:00 am Zazen 6:30 am Kinhin 6:40 am Zazen 7:10 am Service (VSZS Sutras and Texts) This traditional week of intensified practice celebrates the enlightenment of our original teacher in India, Shakyamuni Buddha. Rohatsu sesshin is a time for bringing light into the dark time of […]